The Effect of Breast Massage and Virtual Reality Application on Lactation in Postpartum Women

This randomized controlled study aims to examine the effects of breast massage and virtual reality applications on breastfeeding in women after cesarean delivery. The study will include mothers aged 18-45, who have delivered a healthy baby via cesarean section at an Obstetrics and Gynecology Department of a University Training and Research Hospital located in the Aegean Region. Participants will have no health issues preventing breastfeeding, will have previously received breastfeeding counseling, and will be included after providing informed consent following the explanation of the study's objectives. The primary research questions addressed in this study are as follows: Does breast massage applied to women after cesarean delivery affect breastfeeding? Does the application of virtual reality to women after cesarean delivery affect breastfeeding? The research groups will be randomly assigned into three groups-virtual reality, breast massage, and control-before any interventions are applied. Randomization will be performed using the website www.randomizer.org to determine the group allocation for each participant. In this study, 31 mothers in the virtual reality group will be shown a 15-minute virtual reality video, depicting a river and forest, viewed through a virtual reality headset, in order to create a relaxing and calming environment. This will be done on post-operative day 0, at the 3rd hour, and at the 24th hour. In the breast massage group, 32 mothers will receive breast massage for 15 minutes, administered by the researchers at the same time points (post-operative day 0, 3rd hour, and 24th hour). After the interventions, mothers will be asked to breastfeed their babies, and the babies will be weighed both before and after breastfeeding. The control group will receive no intervention and will receive standard care (31 women). Infant weight measurements will also be taken at the same times in the control group. After the interventions, the LATCH Breastfee