Effect of Virgin Coconut Oil on Prolactin Levels and Breast Milk Production in Postpartum Mothers

Abstract

Background and Aim: Breastfeeding is a natural process for a mother to support and prosper her child after giving birth. Lack of perception about breast milk production is one of the factors causing failure in exclusive breastfeeding. Nutritional and hormonal factors (prolactin and oxytocin) are the main factors that affect breast milk production. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of giving virgin coconut oil to prolactin levels and milk production. Material and Method: This type of research is experimental with Posttest Only Group Design. The sample was selected by purposive sampling technique so as to get a sample of 33 pregnant women in the group and 33 pregnant women in the control group. Examination of prolactin levels were measured using the ELISA method. Data were analyzed by Kolmogorov Smirnov and Independent T test. Result: The results of the average prolactin level of each group, namely the control group was 50.69 ng/ml and the treatment group was 72.98 ng/ml. The average milk production obtained in the control group was 325.73 ml and the treatment group was 432.80 ml. The results of the analysis using the Independent T test concluded that there were significant differences, between VCO, prolactin levels (p = 0.00) and VCO on breast milk production (p = 0.00). Conclution: The conclusion of this study is that giving Virgin Coconut Oil has an effect on increasing prolactin and breast milk production in postpartum mothers. Keywords: VCO, Prolactin, Breast Milk .