Effect of Reflex Zone Stimulation on Maintenance and Initiation of Lactation among Lactation Failure Mothers

Mohamed Labib Elkashif, Mirfat; Mohamed Ahmed Ayed, Manal; El Saied Mahmoud Dawoud, Salwa; Atef Osman, Heba; Khalaf Gooda, Walaa

doi:10.21608/ejhc.2023.370386

Effect of Reflex Zone Stimulation on Maintenance and Initiation of Lactation among Lactation Failure Mothers

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Department of Maternity, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Nursing, Port Said University, Egypt

² Pediatric Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, Sohag University, Egypt

³ Nursing fellow (woman's Health and Midwifery Nursing), students Hospital Mansoura University, Egypt

⁴ Lecturer of Women Health and Obstetrics Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Minia University, Egypt

⁵ Lecturer of maternity and neonatal health nursing department, Faculty of Nursing Beni-Suef University

10.21608/ejhc.2023.370386

Abstract

Background: Breastfeeding is a natural human activity. To have the full benefit of breastfeeding, the WHO recommends exclusive breastfeeding for at least six months of life and supplemented breastfeeding for at least one year. Aim: To evaluate the effect of reflex zone stimulation on maintenance and initiation of lactation among lactation-failure mothers. Design: A pre and post-test quasi-experimental research design was utilized. Subjects: 100 Postnatal Lactation failure mothers of convenience sampling technique were used to select the sample. Setting: The study was conducted in the postpartum Unit at Mansoura University Hospital. Two tools were used: Tool (I): The postnatal lactation failure mothers assessment sheet and Tool (II): The modified Breastfeeding Assessment Scale was used to assess the level of lactation before and after the intervention. Results: The present study revealed that in pre-assessment all 60 (60%) mothers had lactation insufficiency and in post-assessment 34(57%) of the mothers had an average level of lactation and 26(43%) of the mothers had an adequate level of lactation. The pre-test mean score was 5.3, whereas in post -the test mean score was 19.92 statistically highly significant at the level of p<0.05. Conclusion: reflex zone stimulation intervention has a positive effect on maintenance and initiation of lactation among lactation-failure mothers. Recommendations: Providing training regarding reflex zone stimulation to help maintain and initiate lactation among lactation failure mothers which should be recommended in either clinical or community settings.

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