EFFECT OF FOOT REFLEXOLOGY ON LACTATION- A LITERATURE REVIEW

The aim of researcher is to evaluate the effect of foot reflexology on lactation among postnatal women. Lactation refers to the formation of milk in the breasts during the period following childbirth. Breast feeding is a natural human activity. To have the full benefit of breastfeeding, the WHO recommended exclusive breastfeeding for at least six months of life and supplemented breastfeeding for at least one year. The most common causes of lactation failures are stress, fatigue, anxiety, anaesthesia, strong sedation, prolong labor, surgical intervention, placenta retention etc. There are many Pharmacological and non- pharmacological methods to improve lactation some of which includes maternal and infant positioning, milk transfer, frequency of feeds and alternative therapies such as foot reflexology, acupuncture, herbal medicines, relaxation therapy, aroma therapy and homeopathy. Non pharmacological treatments have a slower effect but it provides effective care. Foot reflexology has shown evidence of effect on lactation in some studies. But such studies are not much in number when searched to be done in the researcher?s area of interest, because it helps to increase milk supply and facilitating a more rapid ?let down? for milk flow. Hence, in an attempt to conduct this research, significant information was sought by the researchers from literature review about foot reflexology on Lactation.