Determination of the effectiveness of beeswax in preventing nipple pain and cracks in primiparous breastfeeding mothers: A randomized controlled trial


Sehatlıoğlu S., Gençtürk N., Mutlu S.

EXPLORE: THE JOURNAL OF SCIENCE AND HEALING, cilt.19, ss.1-8, 2023 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 19
  • Basım Tarihi: 2023
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1016/j.explore.2023.05.002
  • Dergi Adı: EXPLORE: THE JOURNAL OF SCIENCE AND HEALING
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.1-8
  • İstanbul Üniversitesi-Cerrahpaşa Adresli: Hayır

Özet

Objective: Beeswax is a natural ingredient used effectively for wound healing. This study aimed to determine the

effectiveness of beeswax and breast milk in preventing nipple pain and cracks in the early postpartum period.

Materials and Methods: This non-blinded, randomized controlled trial was carried out between November 15,

2019, and April 1, 2020, in the postpartum clinic of a state university hospital and at mothers’ homes. Ninety

primiparous mothers meeting the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into beeswax (n=30), breast milk

(n=30), and control (n=30) groups using simple randomization. Mothers in the beeswax, breast milk, and

control groups were assessed for nipple pain and cracks on postpartum days 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, and 10th.

Results: On postpartum day 10, nipple pain and cracks occurred highest in the control group (%53.3), whereas

nipple pain and cracks were encountered least in the beeswax group (%20,0) on postpartum observation days.

The differences between the groups in terms of nipple cracks and pain severity were statistically significant (p <

0.05, p=0.004, and p=0.000, respectively).

Conclusion: Beeswax is more effective than breast milk in preventing nipple pain and crack formation. A beeswax

barrier can be used to prevent nipple pain and cracks.