Breast Massage During Feeding: How And Why To Do It?

2024 Author: Josephine Shorter | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-07 17:49

Breast massage while feeding - technique

Breastfeeding is a purely individual process, each woman's lactation proceeds differently. Some mothers have milk in excess, while others do not. Often women face milk stagnation. Breastfeeding massage can eliminate this problem. This procedure has practically no contraindications, so it is recommended to start performing it for women, 24 hours after the birth of a child.

Content:

• Effects of breast massage while nursing
• Indications for massage
• Rules for performing breast massage
• Massage technique
• Helpful hints
• Contraindications to breast massage

Effects of breast massage while nursing

If the massage is done correctly, then it will bring nothing but benefit. The effects of carrying out manipulations on the chest can be distinguished as follows:

• The work of the mammary glands is activated, the muscles relax, the process of breastfeeding is facilitated. Breast massage is an effective prevention of stagnation in the mammary gland.
• The massage stimulates the production of oxytocin, which promotes better milk flow.
• The circulation in the breast area is increased, which promotes the production of more milk.
• The muscles of the chest are strengthened, this allows you to prevent sagging of the chest, loss of its shape.
• Massage is an excellent means of preventing stretch marks, helps to bring the figure back to normal after pregnancy.
• During the massage, seals can be found in the chest if they suddenly form. In this case, the woman will be able to timely start the treatment of lactostasis.
• Doctors without fail recommend performing breast massage with lactostasis. The correct technique for the procedure can prevent the development of mastitis.

Indications for massage

Massage, of course, is a useful, but far from mandatory procedure that must be performed during breastfeeding.

Often you can refuse it, but not if the following problems arise:

• The need to express milk. Sometimes it is necessary to express breast milk for various reasons: due to the separation of the mother and the child to maintain lactation, due to certain diseases of the woman, etc. Regardless of how a woman expresses milk: by hand or with a breast pump, massage will facilitate breast emptying, as light touching stimulates the production of oxytocin.
• The need to increase lactation. Massage helps to ensure that the mammary glands are better supplied with blood, but it does not directly affect the flow of milk. However, breastfeeding experts strongly recommend massage for women with insufficient lactation.
• Getting rid of lactostasis. If milk stagnation has just begun to form, then massage will allow you to quickly prevent its further development.

You can perform breast massage for a preventive purpose, which will prevent the development of lactostasis. The procedure will facilitate easier milk flow during feeding. To achieve a positive effect, you need to massage your breasts regularly.

Rules for performing breast massage

The workout time for each breast is about 5 minutes. You cannot squeeze the mammary gland too much. It is important to keep your hands and chest skin clean. Milk should be expressed before the procedure.

Massage can be done using oils: castor or olive. It is only important to ensure that the product does not get on the nipples. Aevit oil solution helps to moisturize the skin and relieve it of microcracks.

If a woman experiences uncomfortable sensations during massage, this will indicate a violation of the massage technique.

To facilitate the procedure, you need to sit comfortably in a chair, preferably in front of a large mirror. A positive psychological attitude is equally important, so you should try to relax as much as possible.

Massage technique

If the massage is performed using oil, then it must be applied to the hands, after which the following manipulations can be performed sequentially:

• Pressing on the top of the breast, make forward circular movements in one part of the breast. You need to work out the chest for at least a few seconds. Then the fingers are moved to an adjacent area. In general, the hand should travel in a spiral, completing its path at the nipple.
• To stimulate lactation, you need to knead the mammary glands with your fingertips. If during the procedure small seals were found, then they need to be worked out. Each seal should be given about 20 seconds.
• You can put your palms on the breasts so that the nipples are in the center. After that, you need to press on the chest 10 times.
• The chest should be placed on the palm, bent in the shape of a boat and shake it, creating vibrations. The shaking should not be too intense.
• Lightly strokes the décolleté and chest area. This will push the milk closer to the nipple.
• The nipple should be pinched with two fingers, twisted, gently pulled back, moved up and down. These manipulations will enhance lactation.
• The procedure should be completed with a warm shower. The stream of water should be directed first at one breast and then at the other.

If you massage regularly, it will avoid stagnation of milk, it will be possible to quickly establish lactation. A woman should remember that the best prevention of lactostasis and mastitis is regular feeding of the baby. Therefore, you need to apply it to the chest on demand.

Helpful hints

• In addition to breast massage, it will not be superfluous to work out the neck-collar zone. For this purpose, you can involve your husband in the procedure. Particular attention should be paid to the neck and shoulders. This will increase the overall tone of the body, improve well-being, and relieve anxiety.
• You should not engage in self-massage of the breast, if it is not necessary, or medical recommendations. This procedure should be carried out only when it is necessary to express milk or get rid of lactostasis. The point is that the production of oxytocin will help the milk flow. As a result, you can provoke his stagnation against the background of full health.
• There is no need to use any alkaline or alcoholic detergents to wash your breasts before the massage. You just need to rinse it under running water.
• During the massage procedure, do not pull on the skin or pinch it.
• Do not allow pain during the massage. If it appears, it means that the technique is performed with violations.
• It is forbidden to strongly press on the chest, squeeze it, hit the mammary gland.
• To increase the effectiveness of the massage, you can do the scissor exercises, crossing your arms in front of your chest at least 10 times.

Contraindications to breast massage

Massage may not always be beneficial. There are situations when it cannot be carried out:

• The presence of dermatosis on the chest. If you perform massage against the background of a skin disease, then you can provoke its exacerbation.
• Exacerbation of any chronic disease, acute infectious process.
• Overwork and stress.
• Do not massage if there are cracks on the nipples. First you need to treat them.

In general, breast massage during lactation is one of the most effective methods to maintain her health. However, it must be carried out following certain rules. Even the most effective treatment is known to be harmful if misused.

The author of the article: Lapikova Valentina Vladimirovna | Gynecologist, reproductologist

Education: Diploma in Obstetrics and Gynecology received at the Russian State Medical University of the Federal Agency for Healthcare and Social Development (2010). In 2013 completed postgraduate studies at N. N. N. I. Pirogova.