The Effect of Lactation Massage Education on Breast Milk Production in Postpartum Mothers

Abstract

Exclusive breastfeeding can indirectly reduce the Infant Mortality Rate (IMR). Insufficient breast milk production may cause mothers to experience difficulties during the breastfeeding process. This study aimed to determine the effect of lactation massage on breast milk production among postpartum mothers in the TPMB Ni Ketut Parwati, A.Md.Keb area.The method used in this study was a pre-experimental design with a one-group pretest–posttest design. The research was conducted from March to April 2025. Breastfeeding does not always proceed normally; therefore, efforts to increase breast milk production can be carried out using non-pharmacological methods such as lactation massage.

The study population consisted of all postpartum mothers aged 0–42 days who were breastfeeding and recorded in the visit register in the TPMB Ni Ketut Parwati, A.Md.Keb area. A total of 30 respondents were selected using purposive sampling. Univariate analysis was performed using frequency distribution, while bivariate analysis involved the Shapiro–Wilk normality test. Data were analyzed using a paired t-test if the data were normally distributed, and the Wilcoxon test if the data were not normally distributed. Data processing was conducted using computer-based applications. Univariate and statistical analyses were performed with a significance level of p < 0.05. The results of the univariate analysis showed that all respondents were aged 20–35 years, most of them were primiparous, and the respondents’ educational levels were evenly distributed between basic and secondary education categories. The normality test in this study used the Shapiro–Wilk test. Data were analyzed using a paired t-test, resulting in a p-value of 0.000, which indicates that lactation massage has a significant effect on breast milk production. Lactation massage intervention in postpartum mothers can improve the smooth flow of breast milk during breastfeeding because lactation massage stimulates the pituitary gland to release prolactin and oxytocin hormones, which play an important role in the milk ejection process. This study is expected to serve as a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) in comprehensive midwifery care to increase breast milk production among postpartum mothers.