Effective swaddling for stabilizing premature infants during transition

Abstract

Purpose

This study aimed to determine the effective swaddling methods for stabilizing premature infants during transition.

Methods

The study included 12 premature infants during the transition period following admission to the NICU/GCU, with parental consent. The following data were collected: physiological indicators (heart rate, breathing rate, oxygen saturation), and a behavioral indicator (frowning behavior). Data was collected at rest and up to 20 minutes after nursing care. Evaluations were made at rest and at “0 to less than 5 minutes”, “5 to less than 10 minutes”, “10 to less than 15 minutes”, and “15 to less than 20 minutes”. Repeated measures analysis of variance were performed to reveal the effect of swaddling on the stability of premature infants. Furthermore, the Mann-Whitney U test was conducted to compare our findings to swaddling methods as defined in the literature to identify the differences.

Results

After nursing care, swaddling was carried out in 48 situations, and the effect of swaddling on stability was shown by heart rates that were significantly closer to the resting heart rate (p<0.001). Stability did not differ significantly between those who were compliant or noncompliant with swaddling. However, when comparing the swaddling method, the “upper limb restriction group” showed more “frowning behavior” than the “no upper limb restriction group” at 0 to less than 5 minutes after care (p=0.040) and 10 to less than 15 minutes after care (p=0.024).

Conclusion

The effect of swaddling of premature infants during transition was shown by heart rates that were significantly closer to the resting heart rate. The swaddling method without restriction of the upper limbs was also suggested to be effective in stabilizing infants.