Effectiveness of Manual Expression of Breastmilk: Marmet Technique in Production of Breast Milk Among Mothers Whose Babies Are in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Objective: Breastfeeding is the optimal source of infant nutrition, providing essential antibodies and promoting growth and development. Breast massage enhances blood supply, lymphatic drainage, pain relief, and relaxation. Despite these benefits, neonatal mortality remains high, with 2.4 million newborn deaths reported in 2020. Research suggests that breast milk volume can significantly increase with breast massage (p =.007). Marmet Technique, a manual expression method, may help improve milk production. Supporting mothers in learning these techniques is crucial, particularly for those with infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). This study examines the effectiveness of Marmet Technique in increasing breastmilk production among mothers with NICU-admitted infants. Methods: A quasi-experimental time-series design was conducted with 40 mothers, divided into experimental (n = 20) and control (n = 20) groups. The experimental group used Marmet Technique for 5 minutes, while the control group used a breast pump. Milk volume was measured in milliliters three times daily for 3 days. Results: Marmet Technique significantly increased expressed breastmilk volume (p <.05). A comparison between groups confirmed its efficacy, with consistently significant p values across all sessions (day 1: p =.001,.018,.003; days 2 and 3: p =.00). However, no significant correlation was found between baseline variables and preintervention milk volume (p >.05). Conclusion: Marmet Technique is a simple, cost-effective intervention for mothers with low milk supply. Its ease of use and effectiveness make it a valuable tool in supporting lactation, particularly for postnatal mothers with insufficient milk production. This study provides empirical evidence supporting its use as a lactation aid.