Effectiveness of Breast Massage on Milk Ejection of Postpartum Mothers

Abstract

This quasi-experimental study aimed to test the effect of breast massage on milk ejection of postpartum mothers in 36 hours by Thai traditional massage. The samples consisted of 40 of postpartum mothers were recruited and divided into the control group and the experimental group. The control group received health education program for postpartum mothers and standard care, while the experimental group receive Thai Breast massage program 30 minutes by doctor applying Thai traditional medicine. Using compare milk ejection scores of pretest-posttests and compared group design. The research instrument consisted of (1) the experimental group instrument consisted of health education plan and Thai Breast massage program, and (2) the control group instrument consisted of health education plan. The tools were approved by three experts, yielding a content validity index of 0.80. The reliability of the milk ejection assessment form was examined using interrater of reliability, yielding a value of 0.90. Data were analyzed for percentage, mean, standard deviation, independent T-test and Mann-Whitney U test. The results showed that pretest-posttest mean score of the milk ejection in the experimental group was 0.9 and 2.65, respectively (p>0.05). The score of the experimental group were higher than those of the control group, 2,65 compared to 1.25, respectively (p<0.05). The results showed that breast massage for milk ejection of postpartum mothers in 36 hours by Thai traditional massage increased milk ejection. Thus, the program should be used to solve insufficient milk in postpartum mothers and promote breastfeeding among postpartum mothers.