Purpose: To investigate the effects of Ashiyu intervention on lactation by continuously administering the intervention in early-stage postpartum women who are breastfeeding directly.
Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted with postpartum women who hoped to breastfeed their child, after vaginal delivery. Blood pressure, pulse rate, breast skin temperature, direct breastfeeding volume, expressed breast milk volume, lactation intensity, breast induration, warmth and tightness in the breasts were evaluated.
Results: In the Ashiyu group, breast skin temperature gradually increased from the second postpartum day, whereas in the control group, it increased from the fourth postpartum day. The expressed breast milk volumes were significantly higher in the Ashiyu group on the second and fifth postpartum days. Lactation intensity was also higher in the Ashiyu group on all five postpartum days. Moreover, breast induration disappeared earlier, and warmth and tightness in the breasts appeared earlier in the Ashiyu group.
Conclusions: Our results suggest that by promoting blood circulation, increasing skin temperature, and hence, enhancing metabolism, Ashiyu intervention effectively increases breast skin temperature and breast milk production, reduces build-up of breast milk, and induces the start of lactation.
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