Projects

INTRODUCTION: Human milk is the best nutrient source for term as well as preterm infants for the first six months of life. Lactation is affected by large number of factors in the immediate postpartum period. Breast massage is one of the best non pharmacological measures to improve the lactation without any side effects

OBJECTIVE: 1.To assess the effectiveness of breast massage on lactation among immediate postnatal mothers 2. To find the association between effect of breast massage on lactation with selected baseline variables

METHODS: This was a randomized control trial in which 46 postnatal mothers within 24 hrs of delivery who met the eligibility criteria participated. They were randomly allocated into experimental and control group. Breast massage was given to the mothers in the experimental group thrice a day for three days. Data was collected using infant weighing machine and a checklist to mark the number of urinations, number of stools and duration of sleep in the neonates.

RESULTS: The results revealed that there was a significant difference in the weight, number of urinations and stools passed and duration of sleepin the neonates (p<0.05). The study finding revealed that breast massage was effective.

CONCLUSION: Breast massage was effective in improving lactation in the immediate postnatal period as seen by decreased weight loss and increased number of urinations, stools and duration of sleep.

Keywords: Breast Massage, Lactation, Immediate Postnatal Mothers.