The Effect of Lullaby During Bath Time on Mother-Infant Bonding, Postpartum Depression, and Parental Self-Efficacy in Infants

Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa

Status

Begins enrollment in 3 months

Conditions

Self Efficacy

Bonding

Postpartum Depression (PPD)

Newborn Infant

Treatments

Behavioral: Maternal Lullaby Singing

Study type

Interventional

Funder types

Other

Identifiers

NCT07370025

2025/728

Details and patient eligibility

About

This randomized, single-blind controlled trial aims to evaluate the effects of maternal lullaby singing during infant bathing on mother-infant bonding, postpartum depressive symptoms, and perceived parenting self-efficacy in mothers of healthy term infants. The postpartum period represents a critical phase for maternal psychological adjustment, during which stress, depressive symptoms, and low parenting confidence may negatively affect the quality of mother-infant interaction and bonding. Low-cost, culturally meaningful, and non-pharmacological interventions that support maternal well-being and early bonding are therefore of particular importance.

The study will be conducted with mothers who have delivered healthy term infants in a public hospital. Eligible participants will be randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a control group. Mothers in the intervention group will receive a structured bathing education and will be instructed to bathe their infants three times per week for two consecutive weeks while singing a lullaby using their own voice in a calm and quiet home environment. Live-recorded music will not be used. The intervention emphasizes sensory interaction, emotional closeness, and maternal voice as key components. Each bathing session is expected to last approximately 10-15 minutes. The control group will receive routine postpartum care without a structured lullaby-based bathing intervention.

Outcome measures include mother-infant bonding, postpartum depressive symptoms, and perceived maternal parenting self-efficacy. Data will be collected at two time points: prior to hospital discharge (within the first 24 hours postpartum) and at the end of the two-week intervention period. Validated self-report instruments will be used for all outcome assessments.

The findings of this study are expected to provide evidence on the effectiveness of a simple, culturally embedded caregiving practice in supporting maternal mental health, strengthening mother-infant bonding, and enhancing parenting confidence during the early postpartum period. Results may inform postpartum care practices, parental counseling programs, and midwife-led supportive interventions.

Enrollment

98 estimated patients

Sex

Female

Ages

18+ years old

Volunteers

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

Mothers who have had an uncomplicated pregnancy and delivery
Mothers who are healthy enough to care for their baby
Mothers who have suitable conditions at home to bathe their baby
Babies born at term (≥ 37 weeks of gestation) and with stable general health after birth

Exclusion criteria

Mothers with a history of serious postpartum complications (such as postpartum hemorrhage)
Mothers diagnosed with psychiatric illness
Mothers who are unable to participate directly in the care of their baby (due to severe disability, mandatory bed rest, etc.)
Mothers who cannot participate in the lullaby program due to hearing impairment
Infants who experience serious respiratory, cardiac, or neurological problems at birth or thereafter, who have a skin disease or dermatological condition that limits bathing, who have a history of admission to the neonatal intensive care unit, or who have a chronic disease or congenital anomaly