The Effects of Postpartum Foot Massage on Maternal Breastfeeding Success, Sleep Quality, and Newborn Stress: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

IF 2.1 3区医学 Q2 OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY

Breastfeeding Medicine Pub Date : 2026-09-01 Epub Date: 2026-06-23 DOI:10.1177/15568253261457845

Melek Nur Keçeli, Hatice Gül Öztaş

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of foot massage applied to the mother in the early postpartum period on breastfeeding success, sleep quality, and newborn stress levels.

Method: The study was conducted using a parallel-group randomized controlled trial design. The study included 70 primiparous postpartum women who had vaginal deliveries at a public hospital in southern Türkiye between December 2024 and August 2025. Participants were randomized into intervention (n = 35) and control (n = 35) groups. The intervention group received a total of 12 sessions (30 minutes each) of foot massage, three times a week for four weeks, starting from the first week postpartum, in addition to standard postpartum care. The control group received only standard postpartum care. Data were collected using the Personal Information Form, LATCH Breastfeeding Charting System and Documentation Tool, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and the Newborn Stress Scale (NSS). The Mann-Whitney U test, Wilcoxon signed-rank test, and Friedman test were used for data analysis; statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.

Results: Initially, the groups were similar in sociodemographic and clinical characteristics (p > 0.05). Lactation success (LATCH) scores increased significantly in the intervention group in weekly measurements, and statistically significant differences were found at the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd follow-ups compared with the control group (p < 0.001). Sleep quality (PSQI) scores decreased significantly in the intervention group in the pre-test-post-test comparison (improvement in sleep quality) (p < 0.001). At the same time, no significant change was observed in the control group (p = 0.087). NSS scores decreased more markedly in the intervention group, with significant between-group differences observed at the 2nd and 3rd follow-ups (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: Foot massage applied to the mother in the postpartum period increases breastfeeding success, improves maternal sleep quality, and reduces newborn stress levels. Foot massage can be considered an effective, safe, and feasible nonpharmacological intervention in postpartum care practices.

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产后足部按摩对母乳喂养成功、睡眠质量和新生儿应激的影响：一项随机对照试验。

目的：探讨产后早期对产妇进行足部按摩对母乳喂养成功率、睡眠质量及新生儿应激水平的影响。方法：采用平行组随机对照试验设计。该研究包括70名产后妇女，她们在2024年12月至2025年8月期间在泰国南部一家公立医院阴道分娩。参与者被随机分为干预组（n = 35）和对照组（n = 35）。干预组从产后第一周开始，除标准的产后护理外，共接受12次（每次30分钟）足部按摩，每周三次，持续四周。对照组只接受标准的产后护理。采用个人信息表、LATCH母乳喂养图表系统和文档工具、匹兹堡睡眠质量指数（PSQI）和新生儿压力量表（NSS）收集数据。数据分析采用Mann-Whitney U检验、Wilcoxon sign -rank检验和Friedman检验；p < 0.05为差异有统计学意义。结果：两组的社会人口学特征和临床特征比较，差异均有统计学意义（p < 0.05）。干预组每周测量的泌乳成功（LATCH）评分显著升高，第1、2、3次随访时与对照组比较差异有统计学意义（p < 0.001）。干预组的睡眠质量（PSQI）得分在测试前-测试后比较中显著下降（睡眠质量改善）（p < 0.001）。与此同时，对照组无明显变化（p = 0.087）。干预组NSS评分下降更明显，在第2次和第3次随访时观察到组间差异显著（p < 0.001）。结论：产后对产妇进行足部按摩可提高母乳喂养成功率，改善产妇睡眠质量，降低新生儿应激水平。足底按摩是一种有效、安全、可行的产后护理方法。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Breastfeeding Medicine OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY-PEDIATRICS

CiteScore

4.20

自引率

11.10%

发文量

130

审稿时长

6-12 weeks

期刊介绍： Breastfeeding Medicine provides unparalleled peer-reviewed research, protocols, and clinical applications to ensure optimal care for mother and infant. The Journal answers the growing demand for evidence-based research and explores the immediate and long-term outcomes of breastfeeding, including its epidemiologic, physiologic, and psychological benefits. It is the exclusive source of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine protocols. Breastfeeding Medicine coverage includes: Breastfeeding recommendations and protocols Health consequences of artificial feeding Physiology of lactation and biochemistry of breast milk Optimal nutrition for the breastfeeding mother Breastfeeding indications and contraindications Managing breastfeeding discomfort, pain, and other complications Breastfeeding the premature or sick infant Breastfeeding in the chronically ill mother Management of the breastfeeding mother on medication Infectious disease transmission through breast milk and breastfeeding The collection and storage of human milk and human milk banking Measuring the impact of being a “baby-friendly” hospital Cultural competence and cultural sensitivity International public health issues including social and economic issues.