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Ahn, Kim, and Cho: Effects of Breast Massage on Breast Pain, Breast-milk Sodium, and Newborn Suckling in Early Postpartum Mothers
Original Article
Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing

Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing 2011; 41(4): 451-459.

Published online: 31 August 2011

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.2011.41.4.451

Effects of Breast Massage on Breast Pain, Breast-milk Sodium, and Newborn Suckling in Early Postpartum Mothers

Sukhee Ahn1, Jinhee Kim2, Jungsuk Cho2

1Associate Professor, College of Nursing, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Korea.

2Doctoral Candidate, Nursing Major, Graduate School, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Korea.

Address reprint requests to: Ahn, Sukhee. College of Nursing, Chungnam National University, 6 Munwha 1-dong, Jung-gu, Daejeon 301-747, Korea. Tel: +82-42-580-8324, Fax: +82-42-580-8309, sukheeahn@cnu.ac.kr

Received 25 January 2011       Accepted 4 August 2011

© 2011 Korean Society of Nursing Science

Abstract

Purpose

In this study the effects of breast massage on breast pain, breast-milk sodium, and newborn suckling in early postpartum mothers were investigated.

Methods

The design was a non-synchronized nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design. Sixty postpartum mothers who were admitted to a postpartum care center and had problems with breastfeeding were recruited. Of these mothers, 44 were assigned to the intervention group and received two 30-minute breast massages within 10 days of postpartum period. The others were assigned control group and received only routine care. Breast pain was measured using a numeric pain scale and number of times newborns suckled was observed throughout breastfeeding. Breast milk was self-collected to evaluate breast-milk sodium.

Results

Mean age of postpartum mothers was 30 years old. Compared to the control group, women in the intervention group reported significant decreases in breast pain (p<.001), increases in number of times newborns suckled after the first and second massage (p<.001), and a decrease in breast-milk sodium after the first massage (p=.034).

Conclusion

Breast massage may have effects on relieving breast pain, decreasing breast-milk sodium, and improving newborn suckling. Breast massage can be used to solve breast problems. Further research is needed to validate our findings.

Keywords: Breast feeding, Massage, Pain, Sodium, Sucking behavior

Figures and Tables

Table 1
Homogeneity Test of Characteristics between Experimental and Control Groups (N=44)
jkan-41-451-i001

*indicates M (SD).

Table 2
Differences between Experimental and Control Groups for Breast Pain (N=44)
jkan-41-451-i002
Table 3
Differences between Experimental and Control Groups in Breast Milk Sodium (N=44)
jkan-41-451-i003
Table 4
Differences in between Experimental and Control Groups in Number of Times Newborns Suckled (N=44)
jkan-41-451-i004

Notes

This research was supported by research fund from Chungnam National University.

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