The Effectiveness of Two Different Methods Applied During Heel Blood Collection on Pain Level of Healthy Term Newborns

Swaddling is a wrapping procedure in which a baby's arms and legs are comfortable, sometimes only the arms are wrapped inside, and two ends of fabric are crossed on the chest of the baby, generally with thin cotton and soft fabric or a blanket. In the swaddling group, neonates were placed in the supine position on a blanket. In compliance with the newborn anatomic posture, the legs were wrapped in the flexion and abduction position. The arms of the neonates were placed close to their torso with both hands, without restraining limb movements. Swaddling was carried out 1 minute before the heel stich procedure and continued 3 minutes after the procedure. The neonate remained on the examination table during the swaddling procedure. Swaddling was applied not too loose or too tight during the procedure.

Neonates in this group were held in their mothers' lap while their mothers were seated reclining on a comfortable chair. Neonates remained clothed in their mothers' lap during the heel stick procedure, and no breastfeeding was administered during the procedure. Holding was continued for a minimum of 3 minutes during and after the procedure.