Hammock position and nesting: comparison of physiological and behavioral effects in preterm infants.

Objective: To compare the effects of the use of hammocks versus nesting in preterm infants, after diaper changing.

Methods: quasi-experimental study, a cross-over trial with 30 preterm newborns in an intermediate care nursery (ICN) in a public hospital in Brasilia-DF, conducted from November 2011 to March 2012. The effects of the two interventions (nesting and hammock) after diaper changing were assessed. Student's t test with a confidence level of 95% (p <0.05) was used in data analysis.

Results: In hammock position the preterm infants were found to be less stressed (p = 0.002), had fewer defining characteristics indicating nursing diagnosis "Disorganized Infant Behavior" (p = 0.05) and remained in a more suitable position for receiving intensive care compared to nesting (p = 0.04).

Conclusion: Preterm infants in hammock position, compared to nesting, were less stressed, with a more organized behavior and in a better position for receiving intensive care.