Breastfeeding: Non-pharmacological technique for NB and infants in painful procedures

Abstract

Background: For a long time it was believed that newborns and infants were incapable of feeling pain. In recent years, a significant corpus of knowledge has become more consolidated and ramified, proving not only that pain in the neonatal period exists, but also that it is hyperalgesic.

Objective: To determine the effectiveness of breastfeeding as a non-pharmacological technique in relieving acute pain in newborns and infants undergoing painful procedures.

Method: A systematic literature review was performed using the following search engines and databases: CINAHL, MEDLINE and SCIELO. Six scientific articles were selected based on previously established inclusion and exclusion criteria and descriptors. Data were extracted independently and the quality of the studies was assessed.

Results: The various authors found changes in both behavioral (crying, facial expressions, self-regulation behaviors, and suction) and physiological responses (heart rate, oxygen saturation, and blood pressure) and pain characteristics when newborns and infants were breastfed compared with those who were not breastfed.

Conclusion: Breastfeeding positively affects pain responses. Breastfeeding is an effective non-pharmacological technique in relieving acute pain during painful procedures that cause stress and pain to newborns and infants. It is important that health care professionals are able to adequately identify and assess the response to acute pain in newborns and infants using breastfeeding as a way to minimize it.