“Effectiveness Of Reverse Pressure Softening Technique On The Level Of Breast Engorgement And Breast Feeding Among Postnatal Mothers At Queen Mary Hospital”

Background: Breastfeeding residue the most healthy, simple and a feeding method that is least expensive and fulfils the needs to new born. During initial 2 days once baby is born as a part of normal process, breasts of women get accumulated with milk. Due to this reason, breasts get heavy and swollen, however this process is generally not very painful and hard under normal scenarios. In around 70% – 80% of mothers breast engorgement is seen. It is a condition which causes pain and also puts an effect on majority of mothers. It may be very stressful situation for mothers especially when they are fulfilling the needs of baby. This condition also hinders the process of smooth breast feeding, which further leads to early closure of breastfeeding and is related to other extreme conditions including infection in breast. Methods: A quantitative research approach was done on 50 postnatal mothers who were admitted at Queen Mary Hospital, KGMU, Lucknow. A purposive sampling technique was used. Socio-demographics data were obtained by the tool “Demographic Variables”; Level of breast engorgement was assessed by the tool “Six Point Breast Engorgement Scale” and Level of breast feeding was assessed by “Bristol Breastfeeding Assessment Tool”. Results: Results revealed that significant level of breast engorgement was present among postnatal mothers in both experimental & control groups during pretest. Similarly, many (around 68%) mothers in experimental group & 64% mothers in control group had poor level of breast feeding before applying the test. However, after the application of reverse pressure softening technique, there was significant amount of benefit to postnatal mothers considering breast engorgement (52% mothers had soft breast, 40% had slight firmness only) and breast feeding (80% mothers had good level of breast feeding). Also, an association was observed between demographic variables and level of breast engorgement & breast feeding. Conclusions: It can be concluded that Reverse Pressure Softening Technique helps to reduce level of breast engorgement & improve breast feeding