Effect of back Massage on Lactation among Postnatal Mothers
Abstract
Introduction: Lactation is affected by a large number of factors. Equally important as spreading the message of exclusive breast feeding is enabling mothers to sustain it adequately. Considering the ease of implementation and obvious lack of adverse effects, non pharmacologic measures are an attractive option over pharmacologic measures for improving lactation.
Methods: A quasi experimental study was conducted for a period of 16 months, to assess the effectiveness of back massage on lactation among immediate postnatal mothers. A total of 220 mothers were enrolled in two groups (Group A, Experimental group-100 cases, Group B, Control group-120 cases). The effect on lactation was assessed based on various parameters, related to the baby.
Results: There was significantly higher post feed weight gain, higher mean number of urinations and stools passed per day, longer duration of post feed sleep and better satisfaction in the study group compared to the control group.
Conclusion: Back massage was effective in improving lactation in all parameters assessed. This can be recommended for all breastfeeding mothers, especially those facing problems with initiation and sustenance of breast feeding. Importantly, this is a simple method which can be implemented using the existing healthcare system, without straining resources.
Downloads
References
Blaymore JA, Oliver T, Ferguson A, et al. Human milk reduces outpatient upper respiratory symptoms in premature infants during their first year of life. J Perinatol 2002; 22:354–9.
Grajeda R, Pérez-Escamilla R. Stress during labor and delivery is associated with delayed onset of lactation among urban Guatemalan women. J Nutr. 2002 Oct;132(10):3055-60.
Ueda T, Yokoyama Y, Irahara M, Aono T. Influence of psychological stress on suckling-induced pulsatile oxytocin release. Obstet Gynecol. 1994 Aug;84(2):259-62.
Ruvalcaba RH. Stress-induced cessation of lactation. West J Med. 1987 Feb;146(2):228-30.
Mathur GP, Chitranshi S, Mathur S, Singh SB, Bhalla M. Lactation failure. Indian Pediatr. 1992 Dec;29(12):1541-4.
Dewey KG. Maternal and fetal stress are associated with impaired lactogenesis in humans. J Nutr. 2001 Nov;131(11):3012S-5S.
Cowley KC. Psychogenic and pharmacologic induction of the let-down reflex can facilitate breastfeeding by tetraplegic women: a report of 3 cases. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2005 Jun;86(6):1261-4.
K. Sakha, A.G.G. Behbahan. The onset Time of Lactation after Delivery. Medical Journal of The Islamic Republic of Iran. 2005; 19(2):135-39.
National Family Health. Survey (NFHS-3). 2005-06. Volume I. International Institute for Population Sciences. Deonar, Mumbai 400 088. Ministry of Health and family walfare. Available online at: http://www.measuredhs.com/pubs/pdf/FRIN D3/FRIND3-VOL2.pdf.
Wang HC, An JM, Han Y, Huang LN, Zhao JW, Wei LX, Dong L, Zhai GR, Li XP, Yang AJ, Gu M. [Multicentral randomized controlled studies on acupuncture at Shaoze (SI 1) for treatment of postpartum hypolactation]. Zhongguo Zhen Jiu. 2007 Feb;27(2):85-8.
O'Connor ME, Schmidt W, Carroll-Pankhurst C, Olness KN. Relaxation training and breast milk secretory IgA. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 1998 Nov;152(11):1065-70.
Lu P, Qiu J, Yao F, Zheng JJ. [Effect of acupoint Tuina on lactation amount for parturient]. Zhongguo Zhen Jiu. 2010 Sep;30(9):731-3.
Zhou HY, Li L, Li D, Li X, Meng HJ, Gao XM, Jiang HJ, Cao LR, Zhu YL. Clinical observation on the treatment of post-cesarean hypogalactia by auricular points sticking-pressing. Chin J Integr Med. 2009 Apr;15(2):117-20. doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11655-009-0117-9. Epub 2009 Apr 29.
Nommsen-Rivers LA1, Heinig MJ, Cohen RJ, Dewey KG. Newborn wet and soiled diaper counts and timing of onset of lactation as indicators of breastfeeding inadequacy. J Hum Lact. 2008 Feb;24(1):27-33. doi: https://doi.org/10.1177%2F0890334407311538.
He JQ, Chen BY, Huang T, Li N, Bai J, Gu M, Yu M, He XP, Wang HY. [Randomized controlled multi-central study on acupuncture at Tanzhong (CV 17) for treatment of postpartum hypolactation]. Zhongguo Zhen Jiu. 2008 May;28(5):317-20.
Ogita S, Imanaka M, Matsuo S, Takebayashi T, Nakai Y, Fukumasu H, Matsumoto M, Iwanaga K. Effects of far-infrared radiation on lactation. Ann Physiol Anthropol. 1990 Apr;9(2):83-91.
OAI - Open Archives Initiative
