RecruitingNot ApplicableNCT07351799

Mindfulness and Meditation Based Lactation Education on Maternal Breastmilk in the Neonatal ICU

The Impact of Mindfulness and Meditation Based Lactation Education on Maternal Breastmilk in the Neonatal ICU: Intervention Study

Sponsor

Mayo Clinic

Enrollment

40 participants

Start Date

Sep 22, 2025

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

Depression Mindfulness Anxiety Lactation NICU Breastmilk Neonatal Meditation Pumping, Breast Cortisol Oxytocin

Summary

The purpose of this research is to investigate associations between mindfulness and meditation techniques and changes in maternal breastmilk in the mother pumping for her NICU infant.

Eligibility

Sex: FEMALEMin Age: 20 Years

Plain Language Summary

Simplified for easier understanding

This study is testing whether a mindfulness and meditation-based breastfeeding education program can help mothers of premature babies in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) produce more breast milk. Pumping breast milk is stressful for mothers of NICU babies, and researchers want to see if mindfulness techniques can improve milk supply. **You may be eligible if:** - You are a mother aged 21 or older - Your baby was born premature (before 34 weeks of pregnancy) and is in the NICU at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN - You have enrolled within 72 hours of your baby's birth - You are pumping breast milk at least 8 times per day - You can read, write, and understand English **You may NOT be eligible if:** - You have an extensive, established mindfulness meditation practice - You have had breast or chest surgery that could affect milk production - You have polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), which can affect milk supply - You are currently using illegal substances - You have a serious mental health condition - You gave birth to twins, triplets, or more Talk to your doctor to see if this trial is right for you.

This summary was AI-generated to explain the trial in plain language. It is not medical advice. Always discuss eligibility with your doctor before enrolling in a clinical trial.

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Interventions

BEHAVIORALStandard of Care

No additional session with the lactation consultant will be provided beyond the standard of care lactation admission visit with a lactation consultant within 72 hours of their infant's admission to the NICU. On days 0, 10 and 20, participants will be asked to record pumping session times and breastmilk volumes expressed for 24 hours, collect salivary oxytocin sample and salivary cortisol sample at minute 4 of one pumping session, and fill out the GAD7, PSS, and PHQ-8 surveys.

BEHAVIORALMindfulness-based Intervention

In addition to the standard of care lactation admission visit, participants will receive an additional session with the lactation consultant for mindfulness-based lactation education. Participants will also be provided with a pumping meditation audio recording that they will be asked to listen to at least once daily for the next 20 days. On days 0, 10 and 20, participants will be asked to record pumping session times and breastmilk volumes expressed for 24 hours, collect salivary oxytocin sample and salivary cortisol sample at minute 4 of one pumping session, and fill out the GAD7, PSS, and PHQ-8 surveys. In addition, the intervention group participants will also be asked to record the number of times they listened to the recording daily, minutes listened to recording daily, and time of day listened to recording.