Effect of oxytocin massage using oxybelt on self efficacy and breastmilk production among postnatal mother: A quasi experimental study

Background: Oxytocin hormone is a determinant factor in breastfeeding process. Oxytocin reflex can be stimulated by oxytocin massage. Oxybelt was designed to provide automatic oxytocin massage to postnatal mother. The aim of this study was to identify the effect of oxytocin massage with an oxybelt on self-efficacy and breastmilk production among postnatal mothers. Methods: : This was a quasi-experimental study using post design only with control group conducted in one of Public Hospital in Central Java, Indonesia, between November and December 2016. There were 60 mothers recruited by purposive sampling method and divided to control and intervention group. Thirty mothers in the control group used usual oxytocin massage (without additional divice). On the other hand, 30 mothers in the intervention group used oxybelt massage. All mothers were enrolled in three days observation.The effectiveness of these methods were indicated by mother’s self efficacy and breastmilk production.Self Efficacy of postnatal mothers was measured by Breastfeeding Self Efficacy –Short Form and the breast milk productions represented by neonatal’s weight gain, urinary and stool frequencies, sleep duration, and feeding satiety, were assessed using questionnaire. Result: The average score of mother’s self efficacy before and after in the intervention group are 53.20 and 58.13, consecutively. Meanwhile in the control group,it was 49.83 and 56, consecutively.The effect of oxybelt on the breast milk production in the intervention group was shown on neonatal’s higher post feed weight gain, higher number of urination and stools passed per day, longer duration of sleep after breastfeeding, and more satiety than on neonatal in the control group. Conclusion: Statistically, there was no significant difference between control and intervention group in self efficacy outcome,but clinically postnatal mothers in intervention group showed their breastfeeding self efficacy better than control group.Oxybelt massage was effective in improving breastmilk production , thus the oxybelt message can be recommended and applied for all breastfeeding mother. Trial Registration: The study was approved by the Ethical Commision, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing Universitas Gadjah Mada, Indonesia (IRB number: KE/FK/01/EC/2016) Written informed consent was obtained from each mother before participation.