[2026-11-04] Effectiveness of the 3H (Herb Heat Hand) Breast Compress on Breast Engorgement and Breastfeeding Outcomes Among Postcesarean Mothers

Background: Postpartum breast engorgement commonly interferes with breastfeeding, particularly among postcesarean mothers who often experience delayed lactogenesis, postoperative pain, and fluid overload. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of the 3H (Herb Heat Hand) breast compress in reducing breast engorgement and improving breastfeeding outcomes among postcesarean mothers. Methods: A quasi-experimental study with a nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design was conducted in a provincial hospital in Thailand from March 2024 to November 2024. Sixty postcesarean mothers were recruited through purposive sampling and assigned to an experimental group receiving the 3H breast compress (n = 30) or a control group receiving routine nursing care (n = 30). The 3H intervention combined Herb (herbal compress), Heat (moist heat at 40 °C to 45 °C), and Hand (a manual pressing-and-lifting technique performed with the compress on the breast). Breast engorgement was operationalized through clinical indicators (breast pain, breast hardness, and milk flow). Additional outcomes included total nursing care time for the management of breast engorgement, and maternal satisfaction. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t tests, Mann-Whitney U tests, and analysis of covariance. Results: Compared with the control group, mothers receiving the 3H breast compress showed significantly greater milk flow (U = 30.00, Z = -6.405, P < .001) and required less total nursing care time for the management of breast engorgement (t = -13.02, P < .001). Breast pain and breast hardness decreased in both groups, with no significant between-group differences after adjustment for baseline values. Satisfaction with the 3H breast compress was high (mean [SD], 4.61 [0.54]). Conclusions: The 3H breast compress is a feasible and practical nursing innovation that improves milk flow and reduces total nursing care time for the management of breast engorgement among postcesarean mothers. Its integration into routine postpartum care may enhance breastfeeding support.