The Impact of Baby Massage Training on Awareness, Perceived Stress and Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy of Mothers with Hospitalized Neonate

Abstract

<strong><em><span>Background: </span></em></strong><span>Despite the positive and remarkable effects of baby massage on both mothers and infants, mothers are less likely to use this health behavior. This study was designed to evaluate the impact of baby massage training on awareness, perceived stress and breastfeeding self-efficacy of mothers with hospitalized neonate.</span><br /> <strong><em><span>Materials and Methods: </span></em></strong><span>This study, as a quasi-experimental design, was carried out on 120 mothers with hospitalized neonates (60 in the experimental group, 60 in the control group). Data were collected using a valid and reliable four -part instrument including Social-demographic information, Awareness's scale about baby massage, Cohen's Perceived Stress Questionnaire (PSS), and the Breastfeeding self-efficacy scale (BSES). Baby massage training was conducted on the intervention group for 3 days by a trained midwife, and changes were compared in two groups using suitable statistical tests three days after educational intervention. </span><br /> <strong><em><span>Results: </span></em></strong><span>Before education, the mean score of awareness, perceived stress, and breastfeeding self-efficacy of intervention group were 6.47±2.23, 33.42±6.85, 131.50±19.34, respectively. After education, the mean scores of the above variables were orderly changed into 8.33±1.28, 27.10±1.85, 145.77±15.80, and these changes were statistically significant (P < 0. 01); while, no statistical significant difference was observed in awareness, perceived stress, and breastfeeding self-efficacy in the control group after the intervention (P > 0.05). In addition, there was a significant difference between groups (p <0.05).</span><br /> <strong><em><span>Conclusion: </span></em></strong><span>The results of the study indicated that baby massage training (BMT) is effective in increasing the mothers' awareness, breastfeeding self-efficacy, and in decreasing their perceived stress. Therefore, applying this approach to improve mothers' stress and breastfeeding self-efficacy was recommended and emphasized.</span>