Paternal and Maternal Holding-Cuddling for Procedural Pain in Healthy Term Neonates

Objective: Holding-cuddling helps reduce procedural pain. Studies have focused on the effect of the maternal holding-cuddling (MHC) method on heel prick pain in healthy-term neonates. However, there is limited study on the impact of paternal holding-cuddling (PHC) on procedural pain during heel pricks in neonates. This paper looked into the impact of MHC and PHC on heel prick pain and crying duration in healthy-term neonates. Methods: This quasi-experimental study occurred in the obstetrics clinic of a university hospital in western Türkiye. The sample comprised 92 full-term neonates and their parents, divided into three groups: control (n=32), MHC (n=30), and PHC (n=30). The data were collected using a personal information form, a Neonatal Follow-up Form, and the Neonatal Infant Pain Scale (NIPS). The study received approval from an ethics committee. Results: The MHC and PHC groups had a lower NIPS score than the control group during and after the procedure (P<.05). The MHC and PHC groups had a lower crying duration than the control group (P<.05). There was no difference in NIPS scores and crying duration between the MHC and PHC groups (P>.05). Conclusion: Full-term infants held and cuddled by their parents tend to feel less pain and cry less during heel pricks. Nurses should use MHC and PHC to help infants have less pain during heel pricks.