The effect of massage with sunflower oil on infants’ weight and height

Background and aims: Infants are very sensitive group of society, so special attention is needed to take care of their physical and mental health. Some studies showed that massage therapy by parents can improve life quality for infants. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of massage with sunflower oil on infants' growth. Methods: This clinical trial was conducted on 120 infants who were 10-15 days old, full-term, single, exclusively breastfed infants and with no history of hospitalization. The infants were assigned randomly into three groups of sunflower oil massage, only massage and control. Mothers administered 15 minutes of massage to their infants twice per day for 28 days. Data collection was recorded. Weight and height of infants were measured at baseline, and at the end of the first, second, third, and fourth weeks of the study. Data were analyzed using the repeated measures ANOVA. Results: The study showed that, the mean of weight and height in all groups had assembling trend in. All groups showed a significant assembling trend in weight and height (p>0.001). There was no significant difference in all groups at the end of second week (p>0.05). At the end of third and fourth week, sunflower oil massage group had significant difference with control group weight 4393.3± 714.8, 4114.9± 657.6 and height 52.96±1.14, 52.05± 1.15. The mean of weight and height had no significant difference in other groups. Conclusion: Infant massage with sunflower oil could be used as an easy, effective way to enhance infants’ growt