Effectiveness of Hoffman’s Exercise in Postnatal Mothers With Grade 1 Inverted Nipples
Issued Date
2023-02-01
Resource Type
ISSN
08903344
eISSN
15525732
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85131892335
Pubmed ID
35695389
Journal Title
Journal of Human Lactation
Volume
39
Issue
1
Start Page
69
End Page
75
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Journal of Human Lactation Vol.39 No.1 (2023) , 69-75
Suggested Citation
Thurkkada A.P., Rajasekharan Nair S., Thomas S., Sreelekha P., Sanu S.K., Chandran P.R., Pillai Sreekanth G. Effectiveness of Hoffman’s Exercise in Postnatal Mothers With Grade 1 Inverted Nipples. Journal of Human Lactation Vol.39 No.1 (2023) , 69-75. 75. doi:10.1177/08903344221102890 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/85134
Title
Effectiveness of Hoffman’s Exercise in Postnatal Mothers With Grade 1 Inverted Nipples
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Background: Breastfeeding provides perfect nutrition for infants. The inverted nipples in mothers make breastfeeding more challenging. Besides surgical approaches, non-pharmacological interventions are also gaining importance. Research Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of Hoffman’s exercise on breastfeeding among postnatal mothers with grade I inverted nipples. Method: A quantitative approach with a parallel arm randomized controlled trial was used in the study. Postnatal mothers were screened for inverted nipples using a pinch test. Participants with at least one inverted nipple (Grade 1) were randomly allocated into two groups: the experimental group (supported with Hoffman’s exercise; n = 28, 50.9%) and the control group (without Hoffman’s exercise; n = 27, 49.1%). The pre-test data, including demographics, nipple length, and breastfeeding assessment, were collected. Breastfeeding assessment was evaluated using the Bristol Breastfeeding Assessment Tool (BBAT). On the 3rd day, the post-test data, including nipple length and Breastfeeding Assessment, were collected among the groups. Results: The BBAT assessment was significantly higher in the post-test compared to that of the pre-test in the participants provided with Hoffman’s exercise. The nipple length was found to be higher in participants provided with Hoffman’s exercise. Furthermore, the variables—including age, gravida, nipple problems, and delivery type—were not found to have any significant effect with either pre-test or post-test levels of breastfeeding. Conclusions: Hoffman’s exercise was found to be an effective method to improve breastfeeding in Grade 1 nipple-inverted among post-natal mothers. This nipple exercise is inexpensive, easy to follow, and results in the successful initiation of breastfeeding. Clinical Trial Registry and Registration Number: CTRI/2019/05/019279, May 23, 2019 (retrospectively registered)