The Effect of Infant Massage on Appetite in Infants Aged 6-12 Months

Authors

  • Annisa Fitri Basuki Department of Midwifery, Poltekkes Kemenkes Malang, Indonesia
  • Finta Isti Kundarti Department of Midwifery, Poltekkes Kemenkes Malang, Indonesia
  • Eny Sendra Department of Midwifery, Poltekkes Kemenkes Malang, Indonesia
  • Indah Rahmaningtyas Department of Midwifery, Poltekkes Kemenkes Malang, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.35316/oksitosin.v13i02.9210

Keywords:

Infant, Infant Massage, Appetite, Complementary therapy

Abstract

Appetite is an important factor influencing infant growth and development. Infant massage has been reported as a complementary intervention that may improve feeding behavior and appetite in infants. This study aimed to determine the effect of infant massage on appetite among infants aged 6–12 months. This study employed a quasi-experimental pretest–posttest control group design. Forty infants were recruited through purposive sampling and divided into intervention (n=20), control (n=20) groups. The study was conducted in the working areas of the Sukorame Public Health Centres and the South Region Public Health Centre of Kediri City, from May 18 to June 18, 2025. The intervention group received infant massage twice weekly for four weeks, while the control group received standard care. Appetite was assessed using the Child Eating Behaviour Questionnaire (CEBQ). Data were analyzed using appropriate non-parametric statistical tests with a significance level of p<0.05. Appetite scores increased significantly in the intervention group from 94.6 to 97.6 (p=0.004), whereas no significant change was observed in the control group (p=0.336). Infant massage administered twice weekly for four weeks significantly improved appetite among infants aged 6–12 months and may be considered a safe complementary intervention to support infant feeding and growth.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Alam, M. A., Richard, S. A., Fahim, S. M., Mahfuz, M., Nahar, B., Das, S., Shrestha, B., Koshy, B., Mduma, E., Seidman, J. C., Murray-Kolb, L. E., Caulfield, L. E., Lima, A. A. M., Bessong, P., & Ahmed, T. (2020). Erratum: Impact Of Early-Onset Persistent Stunting On Cognitive Development At 5 Years Of Age: Results From A Multi-Country Cohort Study (Plos One (2020) 15:1 (E0227839) Doi: 10.1371/Journal.Pone.0227839). Plos One, 15(2), 1–16. Https://Doi.Org/10.1371/Journal.Pone.0229663

Anggraini, R. F., Ananditha, A. C., Aminoto, L. N., & Illiandri, O. (2021). The Relationship Between Modification Of Food Presentation And Changes In Appetite Of Toddler Children At Puskesmas Mojo Surabaya. Magna Medica Berkala Ilmiah Kedokteran Dan Kesehatan, 1(3), 18. Https://Doi.Org/10.26714/Magnamed.1.3.2016.18-30

Ayu, P., Sumariati, E., Widiastini, L. P., Putu, N., & Sri, Y. (2024). Combination Of Giving Baby Massage With Citronella Oil For Appetite Disorders In Toddlers Aged 12-24 Months. 12(2), 86–93.

Bhal, R. (2022). Who Recommendations On Maternal And Newborn Care For A Positive Postnatal Experience. In World Health Organization. Https://Www.Who.Int/Publications/I/Item/9789240045989

Chen, S. C., Yu, J., Yuen, S. C. S., Lam, J. C. S., Suen, L. K. P., & Yeung, W. F. (2021). Massage Therapy In Infants And Children Under 5 Years Of Age: Protocol For An Overview Of Systematic Reviews. Systematic Reviews, 10(1), 1–9. Https://Doi.Org/10.1186/S13643-021-01681-X

Danielsson, M., Lustig, H. H., Garmy, P., & Einberg, E. L. (2024). Mothers’ Experience Of Infant Massage In Child Health Care: A Qualitative Interview Study. Nursing Open, 11(6), 1–10. Https://Doi.Org/10.1002/Nop2.2206

Dinas Kesehatan Kota Kediri. (2024).

Ekholuenetale, M., Barrow, A., Ekholuenetale, C. E., & Tudeme, G. (2020). Impact Of Stunting On Early Childhood Cognitive Development In Benin: Evidence From Demographic And Health Survey. Egyptian Pediatric Association Gazette, 68(1). Https://Doi.Org/10.1186/S43054-020-00043-X

Fitriani DR, Rahayu YS, Anggraeni RD, Wulan F. Efektivitas Terapi Pijat Bayi Terhadap Pertumbuhan Dan Perkembangan Bayi Usia 6 Bulan Di Klinik Aster. 2025;4(1):93-98.

Geary, O., Grealish, A., & Bright, A. M. (2023). The Effectiveness Of Mother-Led Infant Massage On Symptoms Of Maternal Postnatal Depression: A Systematic Review. Plos One, 18(12 December), 1–24. Https://Doi.Org/10.1371/Journal.Pone.0294156

Hartanti, A. T., Salimo, H., & Widyaningsih, V. (2021). Effectiveness Of Infant Massage On Strengthening Bonding And Effectiveness Of Infant Massage On Strengthening Bonding And Improving Sleep Quality. 165–175. Https://Doi.Org/10.26911/Theijmed.2019.04.02.10

Hartati, S., Desmariyanti, & Hidayah, N. (2020). Science Midwifery Effects Of Baby Massage On Weight Gain In Babies. Science Midwifery, 8(2), 48–51. Www.Midwifery.Iocspublisher.Org

Laura Page NY, Freemark M. Hormonal Determinants of Growth and Weight Gain in the Human Fetus and Preterm Infant. Published online 2023:1-47.

Lestari, K. P., Nurbadlina, F. R., Wagiyo, & Jauhar, M. (2021). The Effectiveness Of Baby Massage In Increasing Infant’s Body Weight. Journal Of Public Health Research, 10(S1), 1–5. Https://Doi.Org/10.4081/Jphr.2021.2332

Liao, Y. C., Wan, Y. H., Chen, P. H., & Hsieh, L. Y. (2021). Efficacy Of Medium-Chain Triglyceride Oil Massage On Growth In Preterm Infants: A Randomized Controlled Trial: A Consort-Compliant Article. Medicine (United States), 100(30), E26794. Https://Doi.Org/10.1097/Md.0000000000026794

Lindholm, A., Bergman, S., Alm, B., Bremander, A., Dahlgren, J., Roswall, J., Staland-Nyman, C., & Almquist-Tangen, G. (2020). Nutrition- And Feeding Practice-Related Risk Factors For Rapid Weight Gain During The First Year Of Life: A Population-Based Birth Cohort Study. Bmc Pediatrics, 20(1), 1–15. Https://Doi.Org/10.1186/S12887-020-02391-4

Moussa, S., Fawaz, L., Ibrahim, W., Fathelbab Elsayed, M., & Mostafa Ahmed, M. (2021). Effect Of Infant Massage On Salivary Oxytocin Level Of Mothers And Infants With Normal And Disordered Bonding. Journal Of Primary Care And Community Health, 12. Https://Doi.Org/10.1177/21501327211012942

Mrljak, R., Danielsson, A. A., Hedov, G., & Garmy, P. (2022). Effects Of Infant Massage: A Systematic Review. International Journal Of Environmental Research And Public Health, 19(11). Https://Doi.Org/10.3390/Ijerph19116378

Norris SA, Hills AP, Wickranasinghe VP, et al. Infant growth and body composition from birth to 24 months : are infants developing the same ? 2024;(December 2023). doi:10.1038/s41430-023-01386-5

Olwi DI, Day FR, Cheng TS, et al. Associations of appetitive traits with growth velocities from infancy to childhood. Sci Rep. Published online 2023:1-9. doi:10.1038/s41598-023-42899-0

Priyadarshi, M., Kumar, V., Balachander, B., Gupta, S., & Sankar, M. J. (2022). Effect Of Whole-Body Massage On Growth And Neurodevelopment In Term Healthy Newborns: A Systematic Review. Journal Of Global Health, 12. Https://Doi.Org/10.7189/Jogh.12.12005

Rafaela K, Novakoski M, Araujo LB De, Mélo TR, Israel VL. Mom Didn ’ t Go to School , Dad Is Out of Work : Associations between Maternal Educational Attainment , Family Socioeconomic Status , and Infant Development. Published online 2023. doi:10.1177/11786329231163009

Saltzman, J. A., Fiese, B. H., Bost, K. K., & Mcbride, B. A. (2018). Development Of Appetite Self-Regulation: Integrating Perspectives From Attachment And Family Systems Theory. Child Development Perspectives, 12(1), 51–57. Https://Doi.Org/10.1111/Cdep.12254

Santana, V. O., Ramos, A. C., Cogo-Moreira, H., Araújo, C. M., Alves, B. S., Ribeiro, L., Lodi, A., Milani, A. C. C., Silva, I., Duarte, C. S.,

Posner, J., & Jackowski, A. P. (2025). Sex-Specific Association Between Maternal Childhood Adversities And Offspring’s Weight Gain In A Brazilian Cohort. Scientific Reports, 15(1), 1–9. Https://Doi.Org/10.1038/S41598-025-87078-5

Sari, K., Siti Haryani, & Ana Puji Astuti. (2024). Akupresure Meningkatkan Nafsu Makan Upaya Pengentasan Stunting Balita 13 – 59 Bulan. Indonesian Journal Of Community Empowerment (Ijce), 6(1), 41–46. Https://Doi.Org/10.35473/Ijce.V6i1.3162

Soliman, A., De Sanctis, V., Alaaraj, N., Ahmed, S., Alyafei, F., Hamed, N., & Soliman, N. (2021). Early And Long-Term Consequences Of Nutritional Stunting: From Childhood To Adulthood. Acta Biomedica, 92(1). Https://Doi.Org/10.23750/Abm.V92i1.11346

Tang, M. Y., Liu, X. M., & Yang, F. (2023). The Prevalence And Predictors Of Feeding Difficulties In Children At Self-Feeding Transition Stage. Frontiers In Pediatrics, 11(July). Https://Doi.Org/10.3389/Fped.2023.1175927

Unicef, Who, & Group, W. B. (2023). Levels And Trends In Child Malnutrition: Key Finding Of The 2023 Edition. Asia-Pacific Population Journal, 24(2), 51–78.

Vimala Mcclure. (2017). Infant Massage.

Vliet, G. Van, Liu, S., & Kramer, M. S. (2019). Decreasing Sex Difference In Birth Weight. Epidemiology, 20(4), 622. Https://Doi.Org/10.1097/Ede.0b013e3181a82806

Zhang, Y., Duan, C., Cheng, L., & Li, H. (2023). Effects Of Massage Therapy On Preterm Infants And Their Mothers: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis Of Randomized Controlled Trials. Frontiers In Pediatrics, 11(August). Https://Doi.Org/10.3389/Fped.2023.1198730

Downloads

Published

2026-08-02

How to Cite

Basuki, A. F. (2026) “The Effect of Infant Massage on Appetite in Infants Aged 6-12 Months ”, Oksitosin : Jurnal Ilmiah Kebidanan, 13(02), pp. 152–163. doi: 10.35316/oksitosin.v13i02.9210.

Issue

Vol. 13 No. 02 (2026): OKSITOSIN : Jurnal Ilmiah Kebidanan

Section

Articles

License

Copyright (c) 2026 Oksitosin : Jurnal Ilmiah Kebidanan

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.