The Effect of Back Massage on Let Down Reflex among Mothers Who Had Undergone Cesarean Section

9.7 million under five mortality occur globally, 2.1 million are in India alone.2.7 million births occur in India out of which 1.7 million children die before one year of age and 1.08 million newborn die within one month of age. Most of the mortality occurs due to suboptimal breast feeding. Purpose To study the effect of back massage on let down reflex among mothers who had undergone cesarean section. Objectives to assess the effect of back massage on lactation among mothers who had undergone cesarean section. Material and methods This was a quantitative quasi experimental pilot study with non equivalence control group design. Non probability Purposive sampling technique was used for the selection of sample.10 samples for experimental group and 10 samples for control group from two different settings. During 10th March 2015 to 25th May 201 collected data. Tool was developed in two parts, first was demographic data of the mothers and second part includes semi structured questionnaire and observation checklist for let down reflex. Result In experimental group Majority of the mothers had age 29-32 years of age, 50 % of the neonates were females and another half were males.70 % of them were receiving supplementary food to enhance lactation, all of the babies were breast feed 4-6 times per day. In control group 50 % of them had age 29-32 years of age, 20 % of the neonates were females and 80 % of them were males.30 % of them were receiving supplementary food to enhance lactation, 80 % of the babies were breast feed 4-6 times per day. On pre assessment, in experimental and control group, 30 % of the mothers had poor letdown reflex and another 70 % of them had excellent letdown reflex. In experimental group average change in letdown reflex scores were 2.3, 2.3 and 2.6 on day1, day2 and day3. In control group average change in letdown reflex scores were 0, 0.3 and 0.3. on day1, day2 and day3. This shows that there is improvement in the letdown reflex of mothers in experimental group than control group. Conclusion The study concluded that there was a significant increase in let down reflex in experimental group