The Effect of Early-Initiated Half-Swaddling and Kangaroo Care Practices on Maternal Sleep Quality and Postpartum Depression in Term Infants: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the effects of half-swaddling and kangaroo care practices early initiated in mothers of term babies on maternal sleep quality and postpartum depression. This study was prospective, four-arm randomized controlled trial. This study was conducted in 136 mothers and term baby hospitalized in Trakya University Hospital between April 2023 and August 2024. Participants were randomly divided into four groups using computer program with 34 mothers in each group: control (A), half-swaddling (B), kangaroo care (C), half-swaddling, and kangaroo care (D). Starting, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 6th months, the data of all four groups were collected with the Questionnaire Form, Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Bonferroni and multiple linear regression (MLR) were used for advanced statistics. C and D groups had more positive effects on depression, while B and D groups had more positive effects on maternal sleep quality (p < 0.001). The combination of half-swaddling and kangaroo care practices early initiated in term babies has a significant effect on reducing the risk of postpartum depression, and half-swaddling practice has an important effect on improving maternal sleep quality. Trial Registration: : NCT06348316