The Effect of Baby Massage on Postpartum Depression and Maternal Attachment

The Effect of Baby Massage on Postpartum Depression and Maternal Attachment in the Postpartum Period: A Randomized Controlled Study

This study was conducted to determine the effect of baby massage on postpartum depression and maternal attachment in the postpartum period.

The transition to motherhood is one of the life stages that brings about stress and change. Primiparous mothers, who will experience motherhood for the first time due to anxiety about the unknown, may experience more stress and their communication with their babies may deteriorate. In this process, the mother's seeing, touching and interacting with her baby positively affects her perception of her baby. The easiest and most natural way to do this is baby massage. Touching and massaging the baby maintains the baby's body contact, which strengthens the baby's sense of trust and supports the mother's development of attachment behavior. It also reduces mothers' levels of stress hormones such as cortisol and relieves depressive symptoms.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Primiparous,
• Cesarean section,
• Having a single baby,
• Between the ages of 19-35,
• Literate
• Effective communication.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Having a premature baby,
• Mother and baby have a disease that prevents massage,
• Loss of vision and hearing.