Maternal note-taking and infant care: a pilot randomised controlled trial.
METHODS
A pilot randomised controlled trial was conducted with postpartum mothers to assess the feasibility and impact of note-taking during newborn teaching. Controls received standard teaching; the intervention group received pen and paper to take notes. Subjects were called 2 days post-discharge to assess infant sleep position, breastfeeding, car seat use, satisfaction and information recall.


RESULTS
126 mothers were randomised. There was a consistent trend that intervention subjects were more likely to report infant supine sleep position (88% vs 78%, relative risks (RR) 1.13; 95% CI 0.95 to 1.34), breastfeeding (96% vs 86%, RR 1.11; 95% CI 0.99 to 1.25) and correct car seat use (98% vs 87%, RR 1.12; 95% CI 1.00 to 1.25). Satisfaction and information recall did not differ. Among first-time mothers, intervention subjects were significantly more likely to report infant supine sleep position (95% vs 65%, RR 1.46; 95% CI 1.06 to 2.00).


CONCLUSIONS
Maternal note-taking is feasible and potentially efficacious in promoting desirable infant care.
Division of General Pediatrics, Boston Medical Center, Boston University School of Medicine, 88 E Newton St, Vose 3, Boston, MA 02118, USA. caroline.kistin@bmc.org
Caroline J
CJ
Kistin
Alejandra
A
Barrero-Castillero
Sheilajane
S
Lewis
Rachel
R
Hoch
Barbara L
BL
Philipp
Howard
H
Bauchner
C Jason
CJ
Wang
D001942:Breast Feeding; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007224:Infant Care / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology*; D011939:Mental Recall; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010865:Pilot Projects; D049590:Postpartum Period; D012890:Sleep; D016683:Supine Position; D014956:Writing