Objective: Nursing self-efficacy, a woman's confidence in her breastfeeding ability, is crucial for initiating and maintaining breastfeeding. However, challenges like insufficient breast milk impairs maternal identity and evokes guilt, necessitating supportive interventions. This study examines potential benefits of reflex zone stimulation, in enhancing breastfeeding efficacy among postnatal women.

Materials and Methods: This randomized controlled trial with a single-blind design included 80 postnatal women allocated using the Sequentially Numbered, Opaque Sealed Envelope technique. Comprehensive sociodemographic and clinical data were recorded. Breastfeeding efficacy was measured using standardized tools [Postpartum Comfort Questionnaire (PPCQ) and LATCH]. Unpaired and paired t-tests, along with repeated measures ANOVA, assessed the effectiveness of reflex zone stimulation.

Results: The intervention group had a mean age of 27.32 years, while the control group's mean age was 28.65 years. Over 35% of women in both groups completed higher secondary education, and majority (82.5%) were unemployed/homemakers. All women reported incision site pain as most common site, described as horrible by 65% in intervention group and 75% in control group. The interventional group's pretest comfort score of 83.97±4.48 surged to 158.10±3.19 post-test. On day 1, 87.5% of women had low LATCH scores, but by day 5, 100% showed high breastfeeding efficacy. The mean LATCH scores on day 5 were significantly higher in the intervention group (9.85) compared to the control group (5.08).

Conclusion: Reflex zone stimulation shows promise in enhancing breastfeeding efficacy among postnatal women. The findings highlight the link between comfort and breastfeeding outcomes, emphasizing its potential in improving maternal well-being.