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Comparing the Efficacy of Breast Milk and Coconut Oil on Nipple Fissure and Breast Pain Intensity in Primiparous Mothers: A Single-Blind Clinical Trial.

  • 2023-01-01
  • Breastfeeding medicine : the official journal of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine 18(1)
    • Maryam Alikamali
    • Seyedeh Fatemeh Emadi
    • Mohammadjavad Mahdizadeh
    • Zahrasadat Emami
    • Hosna Akbari
    • Sedigheh Khodabandeh-Shahraki

Study Design

Type
Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
Population
106 breastfeeding primiparous mothers suffering from nipple fissures
Methods
A single-blind clinical trial was conducted with 106 breastfeeding primiparous mothers suffering from nipple fissures in health centers of Zarand, Kerman, from August 2020 to November 2020. The participants were selected randomly and allocated to two 60-member groups using block randomization. Mothers in the first group were asked to apply 0.5 mL of coconut oil on their nipples three times a day. Mothers in the second group were trained to apply three to four drops of their milk on their nipples after every breastfeeding session.
Blinding
Single-blind
Duration
14 days
Funding
Unclear
Background: Nipple fissure is a prevalent problem for breastfeeding mothers. Virgin coconut oil (VCO) is an herbal medicine that can heal microbial infections and wounds. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of VCO and breast milk on nipple fissures in primiparous mothers. Design, Setting, Participants, and Intervention: A single-blind clinical trial was conducted with 106 breastfeeding primiparous mothers suffering from nipple fissures in health centers of Zarand, Kerman, from August 2020 to November 2020. The participants were selected randomly and allocated to two 60-member groups using block randomization. Mothers in the first group were asked to apply 0.5 mL of coconut oil on their nipples three times a day. Mothers in the second group were trained to apply three to four drops of their milk on their nipples after every breastfeeding session. The level of nipple fissures and pain intensity were examined using Storr's scale and visual analog scale, respectively. The results were analyzed using the chi-square test, repeated measures analysis of variance, and the independent samples t-test in SPSS 22. In this study, the significance level was set at p < 0.05. Results: Within-group comparisons revealed a significant difference between baseline scores and the scores on the 7th and 14th days (p < 0.001). Between-group comparison indicated no significant difference in nipple fissure (p = 0.419) and pain intensity (p = 0.405) at baseline. Nonetheless, there was a significant difference on the 7th day (pfissure = 0.002, ppain <0.001) and on the 14th day (pfissure <0.001, ppain = 0.036). Conclusion: Given its effect on nipple fissures, VCO may be used as a complementary substance to treat nipple fissures. Trial Registration: This trial is registered with the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials with the identifier: IRCT20190724044318N1.

Research Insights

  • Coconut→Reduced Breast Pain Intensity

    there was a significant difference on the 7th day (p_pain <0.001) and on the 14th day (p_pain = 0.036)

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
    Dose
    0.5 mL of coconut oil on their nipples three times a day
  • Coconut→Reduced Nipple Fissure Severity

    there was a significant difference on the 7th day (p_fissure = 0.002) and on the 14th day (p_fissure <0.001)

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Large
    Dose
    0.5 mL of coconut oil on their nipples three times a day
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