Development and Evaluation of Breastfeeding Promotion Program for Mothers with Breast Engorgement following Cesarean Birth

PURPOSE: This study was to develop a breastfeeding promotion program and to test effects of the program on levels of breast discomfort, breast size, sodium in breast milk, and type of feeding in mothers with breast engorgement following cesarean birth. METHODS: A non-synchronized non-equivalent control group pretest-posttest design was used in this study. The participants were 70 postpartum mothers who were admitted to a postpartum care center and experienced breast engorgement following cesarean birth. The planned nursing intervention was the breastfeeding promotion program consisting of breast massage and 1:1 breastfeeding education, counseling, and support focusing on individualized problem solving provided for 10 days. Fifty-three women completed the program (experimental group 26, control group, 27). Measurements were level of breast discomfort, breast size, sodium in breast milk and type of feeding at pre and posttest. RESULTS: Women who participated in the program experienced lower scores for breast discomfort, greater decrease in breast size, lower levels of sodium in breast milk, and practiced breastfeeding more than those in the control group. CONCLUSION: Results indicate that this breastfeeding promotion program is effective in reducing breast engorgement and improving breastfeeding practices, and is therefore recommended to enhance breastfeeding promotion practice in postpartum care centers.

Effects of Oketani Breast Massage on Breast Pain, the Breast Milk pH of Mothers, and the Sucking Speed of Neonates

PURPOSE: This study was done to test the effects of Oketani breast massage on breast pain and breast milk pH of mothers, and sucking speed of neonates. METHODS: A nonequivalent control group and a pretest-posttest design was used. Postpartum mothers complaining of breast pain were recruited at a postpartum care center. The application of Oketani breast massage by an Oketani massage therapist was the experimental treatment. The control group received the conventional massage technique from a nurse at the postpartum care centre. The collected data were analysed using a chi2-test and a t-test with the SPSS WIN 12.0 program. RESULTS: The participants were homogeneous in age, gestation period, and birth weight. Breast pain (t=8.384, p<.001) was significantly relieved, and breast milk pH (t=4.793, p<.001) was significantly increased in the experimental group compared to the control group. The sucking speed of the neonates in the experimental group was significantly increased compared to the control group (t=9.920, p<.001). CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that Oketani breast massage is effective in relieving breast pain and increasing breast milk pH as well as the sucking speed of neonates.