The Effectiveness of the Rolling Massage Technique on Breast Milk Adequacy for the Baby in the COVID-19 Pandemic

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Rolling massage is one of the actions for postpartum mothers that can increase breast milk production (ASI). There are many benefits of rolling massage for babies. Still, there are no studies that discuss the effectiveness of rolling messages on the adequacy of breast milk in infants during the COVID-19 pandemic. AIM: This study aims to identify the effectiveness of rolling massage on the adequacy of breast milk during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: This research is quantitative research with a quasi-experimental approach. The sample selection used a random method with a total sample of 63 postpartum mothers divided into two groups, namely, 32 samples in the intervention group and 31 in the control group. The rolling massage was performed on mothers in the intervention group on days 1, 3, and 7 postpartum. Data were analyzed using the ANOVA test. RESULTS: The results showed a significant difference between the adequacy of breastfeeding in the control group and the intervention group, which was seen from the difference in the frequency of urination (p = 0.036), satisfaction with breastfeeding (p = 0.001), and the increase in infant weight (p = 0.001) at measurements 7 and 30 postpartum day. CONCLUSION: Rolling massage is very effective for postpartum mothers to achieve adequate milk intake for babies. Therefore, it is highly recommended to do it in the first days after giving birth to increase the mother’s milk production to meet the needs of breast milk intake for the baby.