The effect of delayed umbilical cord clamping on the infant's beta-endorphin level, mother-infant attachment and breastfeeding

Abstract

Objectives: To examine the effect of delayed umbilical cord clamping on the infant's betaendorphin level, mother-infant attachment and breastfeeding.

Study design: This study had an experimental design with a control group. The study was undertaken between October and December 2017 in a maternity hospital in the east of Turkey. In total, 107 pregnant women [55 in the experimental group (delayed cord clamping) and 52 in the control group (early cord clamping)] participated in the study.

Results: The beta-endorphin level in the umbilical cord was 775.80 ± 229.35 in the experimental group and 547.91 ± 290.01 in the control group, and the difference was significant (t = 4.492, p = 0.000). Similarly, the prolactin level in the umbilical cord was 174.26 ± 47.20 in the experimental group and 119.06 ± 47.74 in the control group, and the difference was significant (t = 6.012, p = 0.000). Mother-infant attachment and breastfeeding success were higher in the experimental group.

Conclusions: Beta-endorphin and prolactin levels in the umbilical cord, mother-infant attachment and breastfeeding success were higher in the group which underwent delayed cord clamping.

Keywords: Beta-endorphin; Breastfeeding; Delayed cord clamping; Mother–infant attachment.