The Effect of Herbal Compress Massage on Breast Milk Flow in Postpartum Mothers at Sena Hospital

Abstract

This study aimed to compare breast milk flow among postpartum mothers between a group receiving routine nursing care and an experimental group receiving routine nursing care combined with herbal compress massage. The findings are expected to enhance postpartum nursing care by increasing breast milk flow. A quasi-experimental two-group pretest–posttest design was conducted. The sample consisted of postpartum mothers admitted to the inpatient ward of Sena Hospital, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province, from March 2 to July 31, 2024. The sample size was calculated using G*Power software with a significance level of 0.05 and a statistical power of 0.95, resulting in 28 participants. Using simple random sampling, participants were assigned to a control group (n = 14) receiving routine nursing care, including breastfeeding education, guidance on six breastfeeding positions, self-breast massage, dietary and herbal recommendations, and assessment of maternal and infant breastfeeding-related conditions; and an experimental group (n = 14) receiving routine nursing care combined with herbal compress massage applied to each breast for 15 minutes by an applied Thai traditional medicine practitioner within 48 hours postpartum. Breast milk flow was assessed using a scoring system categorized as low (0–2 points) and high (3–4 points). The results revealed no significant differences in breast milk flow between the two groups at 2, 8, and 24 hours postpartum. However, at 48 hours postpartum, the experimental group demonstrated significantly greater breast milk flow than the control group (χ² = 15.555, p < 0.001). This study indicates that herbal compress massage is a practical and feasible approach for postpartum care to enhance breast milk flow, support breastfeeding promotion policies, and strengthen healthcare service capacity through the integration of modern medicine and Thai traditional medicine.