title: The effect of body and mind stress-releasing techniques on the breastfeeding of full-term babies; a critical analysis of published interventional studies.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To critically assess the effectiveness of complementary/alternative medicine modalities, comprising body/mind stress-releasing techniques, on the breastfeeding (BF) success of mothers of full-term newborns.
  
  
  METHODS
  Literature review in Medline and other available database sources until December 2015, and critical analysis of pooled data. The study selection included randomized-controlled trials, case-control studies, and case series.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The total number of analyzed studies was 9. Among them, three represented level-I, two level-II, one level-III, and three level-IV evidence. The pooled maternal population was 2135. Interventions that could influence cognition management seem effective in improving BF initiation and duration (strength of recommendation B), manual relaxation techniques in promoting BF initiation (strength of recommendation B), and auditory-mediated mind guidance in promoting BF duration (strength of recommendation C). The implementation of environmental sensory stimulations improves maternal perception about breastfeeding practice (strength of recommendation C).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Certain methods of complementary and alternative medicine show positive effect on breastfeeding. Further studies with good quality evidence, dedicated follow-up of the families after discharge, and strict definitions of breastfeeding and weaning are necessary to confirm the effectiveness of the identified interventions.
authors.affiliation: a "Helena Venizelou" Maternity Hospital, PICU , Athens , Greece.
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fotiou
authors.affiliation: b "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, 1st Department of Pediatrics , University of Athens , Athens , Greece.
authors.forename: Tania
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Siahanidou
authors.affiliation: c Otorhinolaryngology , Maieftirio Mitera , Athens , Greece.
authors.forename: Petros V
authors.initials: PV
authors.lastname: Vlastarakos
authors.affiliation: d Department of Pediatrics , Halkida District Hospital , Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Evangelia Filothei
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Tavoulari
authors.affiliation: b "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, 1st Department of Pediatrics , University of Athens , Athens , Greece.
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Chrousos
mesh_terms: D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D026441:Mind-Body Therapies; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000628:therapy*
keywords: Newborn; cognition; lactation; mother; stress