Giving Oral Massage is Effective in Increasing the Suction Reflex Stimulus of LBW Babies

Background: Low birth weight is a health problem that requires special attention in developing countries or countries with low socio-economic conditions. One of the impacts of LBW babies is the immaturity of the system in the body, including the baby's sucking reflex. The baby's sucking reflex in LBW has delay which has an impact on the growth and development of the baby. Objectives: this study was to determine the effectiveness of oral massage on increasing the suction reflex of LBW at RS UMMI, Bogor. Methods: Types of a quantitative method with a pre-experimental design and a one-group pre/post-test design with a total of 22 LBW respondents. Oral massage is given once a day for 15 minutes for 10 days Results: The results showed that oral massage affected increasing the suction reflex of LBW with a marked increase in the mean value from 0 to 6, based on its development that on day 10 of the action, 100% of respondents already had a strong suction reflex. Conclusion: The conclusion is that oral massage affects increasing the suction reflex of LBW.