Cuddle positions may reduce baby pain during heel prick test

NCT ID NCT06626815

First seen May 16, 2026 · Last updated Jun 23, 2026 · Updated 7 times

Summary

This study tested three ways of holding a newborn skin-to-skin on the mother's chest (classic, side, and reverse kangaroo positions) during a routine heel blood test. Researchers measured pain, comfort, heart rate, oxygen levels, and crying time in 63 full-term newborns. The goal was to see if different positions affect how much pain and stress the baby feels.

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Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Istanbul Provincial Directorate of Health Kanuni Sultan Suleyman Training and Research Hospital

    Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)

  • Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa (IUC)

    Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

kangaroo mother care positions (skin-to-skin contact)

What this could lead to

If effective, these positions could offer simple, drug-free ways to ease pain and stress for newborns during routine heel blood tests.

What could go wrong

This is a small, completed study (63 newborns) comparing positions; results may not apply to all babies or settings, and the effect may be modest.

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.