Analysis of Mothers' Knowledge Level about Infant Massage: A Descriptive Study

Abstract

Introduction: Child health starts from the period of pregnancy until adolescence. The first five years are a golden time for children starting from infancy. Infancy is a golden period as well as a critical period of a person's development. It is said to be a critical period because at this time the baby is very sensitive to the environment and is said to be a golden period because infancy lasts very short and cannot be repeated. This period occurs optimal growth and development, including the level of intelligence of children.  A comfortable environment, can be applied by parents who have children under five, by doing baby massage. Baby massage is a comfortable touch communication between mother and baby. Massage is a touch therapy that has long been known to people, but is still rarely applied by parents who have children under five. Baby massage is an expression of affection between parents and children through the touch of skin that has a tremendous impact. The positive impact that can be caused by baby massage is an increase in baby weight if done regularly. In addition, baby massage can also increase immunity and improve the quality of baby's sleep.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the description of mothers' knowledge about infant massage.

Methods: This research method uses descriptive. The sample size was 63 mothers who had babies aged 0-12 months.. The instrument used a questionnaire about infant massage. According to the results of interviews in the preliminary study, it was found that mothers rarely do massage to their babies, occasionally taking their babies to massage healers if there are complaints of pain.

Results: The result of this study is the knowledge of mothers in the moderate category as much as 62.19%.

Recommendations: Suggestions for mothers who have babies can do baby massage themselves after getting health education about baby massage.