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Cited by 265Pediatric Pain Management TechniquesInfant Health and DevelopmentBreastfeeding Practices and Influences

The DOI matches its Crossref record.

Breastfeeding Is Analgesic in Healthy Newborns

Gray, Larry, Miller, Lisa W., Philipp, Barbara L., Blass, Elliott M.·2002·Pediatrics
DOI 10.1542/peds.109.4.590
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Abstract

Context This study identifies a behavioral and nonpharmacologic means of preventing newborn pain. Objective To determine whether breastfeeding is analgesic in newborn infants undergoing heel lance-a routine, painful, hospital procedure. Design A prospective, randomized, controlled trial. Setting Hospital maternity services at Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, and Beverly Hospital, Beverly, Massachusetts. Participants A random sample of 30 full-term, breastfed infants. Interventions Infants in the intervention group were held and breastfed by their mothers during heel lance and blood collection procedures for the Newborn Screening Program Blood Test. Infants in the control group experienced the same blood test while receiving the standard hospital care of being swaddled in their bassinets. Outcomes measures Crying, grimacing, and heart rate differences were analyzed between the breastfeeding and the control infants before, during, and after blood collection. Results Crying and grimacing were reduced by 91% and 84%, respectively, from control infant levels during the blood collection. Heart rate was also substantially reduced by breastfeeding. Conclusions Breastfeeding is a potent analgesic intervention in newborns during a standard blood collection.

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Crossref · 10.1542/peds.109.4.590

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  • Breastfeeding can be regarded as the final stage of labor, providing a natural analgesic for infants.

    “Breastfeeding can be regarded as the final stage of labor (Labbok, 2001), providing a natural analgesic for infants (Gray et al., 2002).”

    From The evolved nest, oxytocin functioning, and prosocial development (2023) · cites this paper as Gray et al., 2002

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Research works printed but not linked: 38

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Metadata

Authors
Gray, L., Miller, L. W., Philipp, B. L., & Blass, E. M.
Affiliations
  • University of Chicago (US)
  • Boston Medical Center (US)
ORCID
Philipp, Barbara L.
Venue
Pediatrics
Publisher
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
Published
2002-04-01
Volume
109
Issue
4
Pages
590-593
ISSN
  • 0031-4005 (ISSN-L)
  • 1098-4275
DOI
10.1542/peds.109.4.590
OpenAlex
W1994600407
Cited by
265
References
0
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 8 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 11 · 2019: 10 · 2018: 8 · 2017: 7 · 2016: 20 · 2015: 15 · 2014: 8 · 2013: 12 · 2012: 14
FWCI
9.82
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • PEDIATRICS (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • U.S. Public Health Service (MCJ-259169)
  • National Institute of Mental Health (R0-1 MH51705-04A1, KO-5 MH5 00524, R01MH051705)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health › Pediatric Pain Management Techniques
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health › Infant Health and Development
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Breastfeeding Practices and Influences
Keywords
breastfeeding, neonatal pain, analgesia, heel lance, blood collection, newborn screening, crying, facial grimacing, heart rate
MeSH terms
Blood Specimen Collection, Breast Feeding, Crying, Feeding Behavior, Female, Heart Rate, Heel, Humans, Infant, Newborn, Male, Pain, Prospective Studies, Punctures, Infant Behavior

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