The Relationship Between Oxytocin Massage in Mothers With Insufficient Milk Production in the Early Postpartum Period and Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy and Milk Let-down Reflex: A Randomized Controlled Study

Recruiting now · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Lactation Disorders

In brief

This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effects of oxytocin massage on breastfeeding self-efficacy and the milk ejection reflex among mothers experiencing insufficient milk supply in the early postpartum period. Insufficient milk supply is a common issue often linked to maternal stress, which can inhibit oxytocin release and negatively impact the milk ejection reflex and the mother's confidence in breastfeeding. By applying oxytocin massage to the thoracic paravertebral region, this study seeks to stimulate oxytocin release non-pharmacologically. The primary objective is to determine whether this intervention improves physiological milk flow and enhances maternal breastfeeding self-efficacy compared to routine postpartum care.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT07609693

Run by

Tokat Gaziosmanpasa University

People needed

128

Starts

2026-05-12

Expected to finish

2026-09-12

Last updated by the study team

2026-05-27

Who can join

Age: 18 and older. Sex: female. Healthy volunteers: accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Being 18 years of age or older
• Being in the early postpartum period (within the first 24-48 hours after birth)
• Having had a single, live birth via vaginal delivery or cesarean section
• Having a term (≥37 weeks) and healthy baby
• Being in the same room as the baby (rooming-in practice)
• Having started breastfeeding
• Reporting insufficient milk production or expressing difficulty with the milk let-down reflex
• Not having a cognitive, neurological, or serious psychiatric problem that would impede communication
• Voluntary participation in the study and providing written informed consent

You may not qualify if…

• Having given birth preterm (<37 weeks)
• Having given birth as a result of a multiple pregnancy
• Having been admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)
• The baby having a congenital anomaly that prevents breastfeeding (e.g., cleft lip and palate)
• The mother having medical conditions that contraindicate breastfeeding (HIV infection, active tuberculosis, etc.)
• The mother developing serious postpartum complications (postpartum hemorrhage, eclampsia, serious infection, etc.)
• The presence of anatomical or pathological conditions related to the breast that may prevent breastfeeding (advanced mastitis, breast abscess, etc.)
• The presence of skin lesions, surgical incisions, or infections in the back that would prevent the application of oxytocin massage
• Failure to complete the intervention or wishing to withdraw from the study will be excluded.

Where it is running

• Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Delivery Room — Kahramanmaraş, Merkez, Turkey (Türkiye) (enrolling)

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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