Support Breastfeeding Mothers With Aromatherapy And Oxytocin Massage

Abstract

The health of breastfeeding mothers is a crucial component of public health, yet it often receives inadequate attention. Breastfeeding is not only a critical period for infant growth and development but also a challenging and stressful phase for mothers. In this context, improving the well-being of breastfeeding mothers is paramount, both for maternal health and for the quality of breastfeeding, which significantly impacts infant health. One emerging approach to enhance the well-being of breastfeeding mothers involves the use of aromatherapy and oxytocin massage. Breastfeeding mothers encounter a variety of challenges, encompassing physical, emotional, and social aspects. In densely populated areas, such as urban neighborhoods, traffic congestion, especially during peak hours, can exacerbate stress levels, particularly for breastfeeding mothers. Emotional stress can adversely affect a mother's psychological state during breastfeeding. Consequently, there is a need for effective methods to mitigate emotional distress among breastfeeding mothers. Aromatherapy and oxytocin massage are proposed as potential solutions. The anticipated outcome of this intervention is an improvement in the emotional well-being of breastfeeding mothers as a result of these complementary therapies. Based on data from 2020, twenty breastfeeding mothers, accompanied by their infants, visited the midwifery practice. The intervention consisted of educational sessions for community health workers and breastfeeding mothers at the midwifery practice of Winda Maolinda in Pengambangan Village. These sessions included both theoretical knowledge and practical demonstrations. The educational program was conducted twice, in October and November. The results, as assessed by a questionnaire, indicated a significant increase in maternal comfort levels during exclusive breastfeeding.