# The Effect of Room Arrangement on the Mood and Milk Volume of Mothers Who Had Cesarean Delivery and Were Not with Their Infants

## TL;DR

This study found that mothers who had cesarean deliveries and were separated from their infants produced less breast milk and had worse moods when their room arrangement lacked infant stimulation.

## Contribution

The study demonstrates that room arrangement and infant presence significantly impact post-cesarean mothers' milk production and emotional well-being.

## Key findings

- Mothers in rooms without infants had significantly lower milk volumes compared to those with infants.
- A statistically significant difference in positive and negative mood was observed between the two groups.
- Lack of infant stimulation delayed the start of first milking and reduced average milk volume.

## Abstract

This study aimed to compare the effect of room arrangement on the mood and milk volume of mothers who gave birth by cesarean section and whose babies were not with them. The study included 89 mothers with and without infants living in the same room (Group 1) and 94 mothers without and without infants living in the same room (Group 2) (n = 183). The expression of milk was performed twice (0–6 h after birth and 36–48 h before discharge) using an electric breast pump. Expression lasted 15 min for each breast separately. The mean first milk volume of the mothers (Group 1: 5.56 ± 5.03 cc, Group 2: 3.76 ± 3.73 cc) and the mean last milk volume (Group 1: 18.78 ± 15.43 cc, Group 2: 10.64 ± 14.12 cc) were determined, and a significant difference was found between the groups. The mean milk volume of Group 1 was found to be significantly higher than Group 2 (Group 1: 13.21 cc ± 14.62 cc, Group 2: 6.88 cc ± 13.56 cc) (p < 0.05). A statistically significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of positive and negative mood (p = 0.003). In conclusion, it was determined that the milking behavior of mothers was negatively affected due to the lack of stimulation in the room where there was no baby, and this situation negatively affected the start time of the first milking and the average milk volume.