Assisted breastfeeding technique to improve knowledge, attitude, and practices of mothers with cleft lip‐ and palate‐affected infants: A randomized trial

Abstract

Background: Cleft lip and palate is one of the most common developmental anomalies affecting the craniofacial region leading to an array of problems including the inability to feed properly.Objectives: This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of specially designed audio-visual module over traditional instructional module in improving the assisted breastfeeding habits.Methodology: Sixteen patients received training regarding the feeding practices through the traditional instructional method, and 16 subjects received training through audio-visual module. Infants in both the groups received the standard care. These infants were followed up longitudinally for 6 months. During the follow up period, the growth parameters were recorded monthly. The knowledge, attitude, and practices of the mothers regarding feeding practices were assessed using KAP questionnaire.

A Systematic Review of Feeding Interventions for Infants with Cleft Palate

“…Increases in length were significantly greater in the audiovisual group between the third and fourth months, while increases in head circumferences were significantly greater in this group between the first and second months. For weight, increases were significantly greater in the audiovisual group between the third and fourth, fourth and fifth, as well as the fifth and sixth months (Murthy et al, 2020).…”

“…Two studies evaluated the utility of cleft palate-specific educational programs designed for delivery to parents to facilitate normal weight gain (Table 5; Richard, 1994; Murthy et al, 2020). An RCT evaluated anthropometric measurements in 32 infants with a cleft palate or combined cleft lip and palate, whose mothers were randomized to receive breastfeeding education either via a novel audiovisual module or via a pamphlet (Murthy et al, 2020). The content of the audiovisual module included an explanation of the feeding challenges commonly encountered in infants with clefts of the palate as well as solutions to enable successful feeding in these infants.…”

“…Two studies evaluated the role of educational programs in facilitating normal growth in infants with cleft lip and palate. While these 2 studies employed vastly different educational interventions, both enabled significantly greater weight gain than the previously standard approaches to educating parents about breastfeeding and bottle feeding (Richard, 1994; Murthy et al, 2020). Educational programs are an area of study with potential promise for both high- and low-resource settings.…”

“…Educational Programs. Two studies evaluated the utility of cleft palate-specific educational programs designed for delivery to parents to facilitate normal weight gain (Table 5; Richard, 1994;Murthy et al, 2020). An RCT evaluated anthropometric measurements in 32 infants with a cleft palate or combined cleft lip and palate, whose mothers were randomized to receive breastfeeding education either via a novel audiovisual module or via a pamphlet (Murthy et al, 2020).…”

Virtual Reality as parent education tool in pre‐surgical management of cleft lip and palate affected infants—A pilot study

“…15 Hence, there is a need of the education module which does not require repeated patient and operator interaction and at the same time should be able to provide repeated reinforcements to develop the additional skills for the management of these cleft patients. 16 VR is one such tool which helps the learner to virtually interact with the environment with the use of certain instruments. It is an environment participative modality which would improvise the visualization of the learner thereby having a thorough understanding of the concepts.…”