MIDWIFERY, vol.115, no.Aralık 2022, pp.1, 2022 (SCI-Expanded)
Objective: This study’s aim to determine the effect of facilitated tucking position applied to late preterm
infants on physiological parameters, comfort, and breastfeeding performance.
Design: The study was conducted in a randomized controlled experimental design (Clinical Trial number:
NCT04704180).
Methods: The study was conducted in the neonatal intensive care unit of a state hospital in eastern
Turkey between November 2018 and July 2019. The sample consisted of 89 neonates meeting the inclu-
sion criteria. Data were collected using the Neonatal Introductory Information Form, Physiological Pa-
rameter Follow-Up Chart, Neonatal Comfort Behavior Scale (NCBS), and Latch Breastfeeding Diagnosis
Measurement Form. Facilitated tucking position was applied to the neonates in the experimental group
(n = 44) in the early postnatal period. The routine application of the unit was performed on neonates
(n = 45) in the control group. Ethical principles were followed at every stage of the study.
Findings: It was determined that the physiological parameters (heart rate, oxygen saturation, body
temperature, respiratory rate) in the experimental group positioned with facilitated tucking showed a
significant improvement compared to the control group (p<0.001). When the mean comfort (Experi-
ment: 9.79±3.63, Control: 15.73±5.13) and LATCH (Experiment: 8.00±1.76, Control: 5.82±2.18) scores of
neonates in the experimental group were compared with the control group, a significant difference was
found in favor of the experimental group (p<0.001).
Implications for practice: It was determined that the physiological parameters, comfort level and sucking
success of late preterm infants who were positioned with facilitated tucking in the early postnatal period
were positively affected.