Therapeutic and preventive breast massage when feeding a newborn baby

Sometimes difficulties arise when breastfeeding - milk may be difficult to separate, the breasts become denser and fuller, and discomfort arises in it.

In this condition, breast massage during feeding can be a great help. It is carried out carefully and delicately, with your hands, without strong pressure or compression.

Breast massage during breastfeeding helps stimulate lactation, eliminate milk stagnation and makes it easier for the baby to suck, as milk flows out easier and faster.

How do problems associated with breastfeeding manifest themselves?

Midwives in the maternity hospital or preparatory courses will tell mommy about the most important basics of breastfeeding. But in theory it seems that setting up a GW is easier than in real life. Milk usually comes in 3–5 days after the baby is born.

A lot of it comes at once. If at this moment you do not feed the baby and do nothing, then it will stagnate and the resulting stagnation of milk will lead to inflammation and mastitis. It's hard not to feel it.

The breasts noticeably increase in size, become hard to the touch, the woman has a constant feeling of fullness in her chest, she reacts painfully to touch. Often during this period a woman’s body temperature rises to 38°C, she feels tired and overwhelmed.

As your baby grows, his need for the amount of breast milk he drinks at one time increases. The mother's body reacts sensitively to such requests, sometimes increasing milk production too much. Its excess can also stagnate and cause discomfort.

Massage for lactostasis and mastitis

Let's figure out what lactostasis and mastitis are. Lactostasis is a pathological process in the mammary gland, when milk production prevails over its outflow. It is characterized by stagnation of milk in the milk duct. It can develop at any stage of the lactation period.

It occurs for reasons:

• a woman feeds her child according to a schedule;
• skips feedings or pumps;
• puts the baby to the breast incorrectly;
• there are problems with breastfeeding, for example, due to cracks or abrasions on the nipples;
• there are anatomical features of the female breast: flat nipple, sagging breasts, narrow milk ducts;
• a woman abruptly stops lactation;
• eats fatty foods;
• wears tight underwear;
• sleeps on stomach;
• experiences psychological stress.

If a nursing woman suspects she has lactostasis, she may notice the following symptoms:

• compaction and pain in the gland area;
• there is no milk from the canal at all or the outflow is very weak;
• heaviness and redness of the skin on the chest;
• temperature increase.

What should be done to solve this problem faster? To start, put your baby to your breast more often. Under no circumstances should you warm the painful area with a heating pad or compress with alcohol. It is better to apply dry heat and massage. Massage movements are necessary before and after breastfeeding.

As the analysis of the results shows, the massage technique is of fundamental importance - strong compression of the mammary glands during rough pumping and massage can lead to trauma to the lobular-ductal system of the mammary glands, as well as the surrounding soft tissues, skin and, in combination with other unfavorable factors, can lead to to the development of mastitis.

Guseinov A.Z, Milkevich I.N., Guseinov T.A.

https://cyberleninka.ru/article/v/sovremennye-podhody-k-lecheniyu-laktostaza

Let's look at the technique of massage for lactostasis. It is the same as for the general requirements with the only difference that the area where the compaction has formed should be given more attention:

1. Massage in a circular motion from the outer part of the breast to the nipple, as if expelling milk.
2. Bend down and shake your breast to move the milk closer to the nipple.
3. Conduct pumping at the same time.
4. After the massage, if it is carried out after feeding, you should put a cool compress on the area of ​​the seal for 10 minutes.
5. Knead your chest every hour.

Proper breast massage is a very convenient and effective way to correct lactostasis.

Video: Lyudmila Sharova’s opinion on lactostasis and solutions

I had lactostasis. I put the baby to the breast more often, then expressed the rest. 2 days have passed. But you need to massage it carefully and in the direction of the nipple, otherwise you can massage it.

Kalipso

https://forum.uti-puti.com.ua/viewtopic.php?t=3604&start=15

I started experiencing lactostasis when the baby was six months old! Naturally, first go to the doctor for an ultrasound, and then treatment! The doctor advised massaging the breasts and then pumping! So I screamed and sang throughout the entire bathroom and did everything as told! I saved myself! It was painful, tearful - but effective! And drink less during this time! Good luck!

Valeria

Read also:  Colds as a sign of early pregnancy

https://www.2mm.ru/mama/grudnoe-vskarmlivanie/75/laktostaz/otzyvy/3

I had lactostasis when my child was 2 months old. In the morning pain began and redness appeared, the next day in the evening the temperature was 38. I went to the mammologist, he said that only by expressing and massage you can get rid of the hardened area, through pain after a hot shower, it is better for another person to help do the massage, express only by hand. I did everything as he said and the temperature dropped within an hour to 37.5, and the next morning to 36. By the way, it turned out that I was expressing by hand incorrectly. Advice for everyone: shower with massage under the jet before pumping (massage with assistance) manually!

Natalia

https://www.2mm.ru/mama/grudnoe-vskarmlivanie/75/laktostaz/otzyvy/3

If, after all the manipulations done, the compaction does not go away, the pain intensifies, and the temperature rises to 39–40 degrees, the nursing mother may have developed mastitis. Mastitis is an inflammation of the milk ducts that is associated with infection. Pus may be added to the inflammation. In this case, massage cannot be performed, since a purulent infection from one lesion can spread to the entire chest. Mastitis is not something to joke about and the woman requires immediate hospitalization.

Purulent mastitis that develops during breastfeeding is a life-threatening condition

I know firsthand what lactostasis is. Moreover, during the lactation period I encountered it several times. For the first time, my milk stagnation occurred on the 2nd day after birth. As soon as colostrum began to be released, I began to drink liters of water, it still seemed to me that I had little milk. So I finished my drink. A lot of milk arrived and the duct became blocked. After another round at the maternity hospital, a doctor saw me with such breasts. I won’t tell you verbatim what I heard addressed to me, but after 10 minutes there was a midwife in my room who began to massage my mammary gland. The pain was hellish, but I endured it bravely. This execution lasted the whole day and after two more massage sessions the breasts became soft and the lump disappeared. Since then, I have massaged myself every day.

How to help yourself during this period?

The best remedy for milk stagnation is a breastfeeding baby. But sometimes, due to various circumstances, he is unable to help his beloved mother. Then the mother will come to the aid of improvised means, such as a breast pump or breast massage.

1. To begin with, it is preferable to try massaging the breasts yourself, and then offer them to your baby. Massage will help disperse the resulting congestion and it will be easier for the baby to suck milk. Massage while breastfeeding is not at all harmful.
2. Since touching your breasts at this moment is unpleasant and painful, you can start the massage in the shower. Warm streams of water should be directed from the sides to the chest in a circular motion, gradually increasing the pressure. Water will soften painful sensations from touch, warmth has a beneficial effect on the chest.
3. After a warm shower, you need to gently pat your skin with a soft, clean towel and continue massaging with your knuckles, making circular movements from the back to the nipple. In this case, you can hold your chest with your second hand.
4. Each breast contains 8 lobes that fill with milk. You need to massage each lobe, massage until the breasts soften and you feel relief.

In addition to circular movements with your knuckles, you can stroke your breasts in a circular direction by placing your palm on the nipple and moving your fingertips, and longitudinally - from the back to the nipple. If you feel congestion in one small area, massage it with your finger, applying gentle pressure.

During the massage there should be no sharp pain. There may be a feeling of discomfort that gradually passes. And listen to how you feel in the process. Your body itself will tell you what intensity of massage is suitable for you and which areas of the chest you need to pay closer attention to.

At the end of the massage, you can gently pull the nipple; milk should flow out in thin streams. This is done correctly as follows: the thumb and index finger should be placed on the opposite lobes of the breast (located diagonally relative to each other) at the areola of the nipple, then they are slightly compressed and retract the nipple. This simulates natural breastfeeding by a baby.

Causes of chest pain

There are several causes of breast pain, so before you start eliminating them, you need to find out why milk stagnation occurred.

• improper feeding, the baby cannot grasp the areola when sucking;
• uncomfortable underwear, it is very important that the bra fits you, when wearing it should not cause discomfort;
• stagnation of milk, overwork and stress, all this also leads to breast pain.

Advice for nursing mothers! To prevent the appearance of cracks, it is recommended to apply a special ointment containing lanolin to the nipples.

What else are the benefits of massage during this period?

During this period, only classic massage is allowed without the use of oils with a pungent odor. Lymphatic drainage massage is contraindicated because it increases the outflow of toxins from the body and it is at this moment that they can concentrate in breast milk and reach the baby.

Massage can not only effectively deal with congestion, but also help improve blood circulation in the tissues, which in turn will lead to increased milk production. Therefore, if your baby does not have enough milk, then you should not massage your breasts for prevention, so as not to cause congestion.

Milk production causes constant changes in breast size by 1 or 2 sizes. After such loads, the muscles supporting the chest are stretched. Therefore, often after completion of breastfeeding, it may look like two rags. Massage will help keep your muscles toned so that they are prepared for such stress.

But during pregnancy, you should not massage your breasts in order to maintain the tone of these muscles. Any stimulation of it can lead to premature birth due to hormonal imbalance - breast stimulation leads to the production of prolactin, which is very often incompatible with pregnancy.

Back massage during lactation can only be done while lying on your side. If you lie on your stomach for a long time, you will compress your chest and lumps will form, which will then need to be kneaded.

Breast massage during breastfeeding

Carrying out a breast massage during feeding is a pleasant and useful procedure. It can help solve several problems at once.

First of all, with the help of breast massage, lactostasis (foci of milk stagnation with soreness and thickening) can be prevented, that is, milk outflow is facilitated.

In addition, blood circulation in the skin of the mammary gland improves, due to which it tightens and strengthens. And the use of special oils during a massage can have a tonic effect, which increases the firmness and elasticity of the skin, helping to restore the shape of the breast.

It also helps prevent the formation of stretch marks (stretch marks), which can occur both during pregnancy and during lactation.

What to do if stagnation turns into mastitis?

This disease is characterized by an increase in the mother's body temperature to 38 - 38.5 ° C. As a rule, it occurs if milk stagnation has not been eliminated within 1 - 2 days. Many young mothers encounter it during the period of lactation, 2 to 6 days after birth.

• During this period, a young mother will also benefit from a massage before feeding.
• Feeding a baby in this state is not only possible, but necessary!
• Before and after it, you can express excess milk not completely, but until you feel relief.

If you express all the milk, then by the next feeding you will produce even more milk, which can worsen the problem.

Breast massage during lactation

Women often ask whether it is possible to have a massage while breastfeeding, including a special one.

If we are talking about cosmetic types of massage, we need specialist consultation. But general massage and breast massage are acceptable.

Breast massage to improve lactation is indicated for all women, and in addition to the technique described above, you can use stroking from the periphery of the breast to the nipple, pulling the nipple, pressing on it and stimulation (if there are no cracks).

You can bend forward and gently shake your breasts, this is a kind of vibration massage of the breasts to stimulate lactation. All movements should be delicate and smooth.

How to prevent such problems?

The most reliable and effective way not to deal with milk stagnation and all the problems it causes is to establish breastfeeding. Proper breastfeeding will not only protect you from this kind of trouble, but will also help keep your breasts firm and firm.

1. Feel your breasts after feeding.
2. You can easily deal with any seals yourself before they become old. Gently massage them with your finger.
3. Don't pump unless you feel discomfort. At the next feeding, the baby will “finish” these stagnations.

Another way to prevent congestion is to rub sea buckthorn oil into the skin of the chest and eat its jam. Sea buckthorn is an amazing berry, rich in vitamins and antioxidants. The oil has an excellent healing effect and is suitable for children from the first days of life. Jam also retains most of the nutrients. If possible, cook it yourself, adding less sugar so that your baby is not bothered by bloating. And sea buckthorn jam will only benefit mom.

If, despite all the efforts made, it is not possible to establish a hot water supply, use the help of specialists in this matter. And remember that only a positive attitude and confidence in success will help you achieve the desired result.

How to massage your breasts while breastfeeding?

In addition to massage to stimulate lactation, it can also be used for other purposes - to care for the skin of the breast, to get rid of congestion and compaction, to combat stretch marks.

Before you begin self-massage, it is worth discussing the technique with an experienced massage therapist or lactation consultant, so as not to cause harm through your actions, especially with lactostasis.

A light breast massage before feeding helps with engorgement and very engorged breasts to facilitate the flow of milk and help the baby suck.

Breast massage after feeding helps in the fight against formed lumps that the baby could not eliminate.

This massage should be carried out under a warm shower to relieve spasms, open the ducts and facilitate the outflow of milk.

Healing procedures

It is advisable to carry out a massage with this purpose if a woman has problems with lactation. To improve blood flow, you need to express milk regularly. In this case, the tissues will be toned, and the likelihood of lactostasis is zero:

We recommend reading: How to restore breasts after breastfeeding

• Slowly and smoothly make circular movements around the breast. The process should begin from the collarbone and gradually move in the opposite direction. As you approach the nipple, the pressure should decrease. Your fingers should trace the path of a regular spiral.
• Gradually move your fingers in the direction from the base to the halo. Movements should be made along the entire plane of the chest.
• The woman independently pinches the nipple using two fingers. Next, you need to perform any manipulations without much pressure.
• Mommy stands and then leans forward in a completely relaxed state. Then shake your chest slightly. Thanks to this, the milk can easily move closer to the outlet.
• During water procedures, it is necessary to direct a stream of warm water to the mammary gland. To improve lactation, it is further necessary to make smooth rotational movements. Excess moisture must be removed by dabbing the skin with a towel.

A unique technology of massage procedures helps bring the breasts into the required shape before feeding. Thanks to this, the baby will be able to get his food without unnecessary difficulties. It is important for a woman not to exceed the minimum pressure. During the procedure it should be pleasant, not painful.

If lactostasis was previously diagnosed, then the woman should be as attentive as possible to the areas of compaction. In this case, it is allowed to increase the impact on problem areas. To obtain the effect, each exercise is performed for at least three minutes.

Light manipulations can be performed even during feeding

How to prepare your breasts for feeding

The mammary glands are designed by nature to enable a woman to feed her offspring. No special manipulations are required when preparing the breast. However, medical recommendations apply to the following range of actions:

• preparing the breasts for lactation while expecting a baby;
• preparatory activities after childbirth;
• hygiene procedures;
• massage;
• exercises.

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Features of the procedure

Breast massage during breastfeeding is not an integral part of daily procedures. It is used to eliminate some difficulties that may arise at a given time.

The massage process should be used in the following cases:

• If mother and baby are forced to be separated from each other for a certain time, then pumping is mandatory. To do this, it is allowed to use a manual technique or special breast pumps. The process is mandatory if there is a need to stop breastfeeding for a certain period. The situation arises when taking medications that cannot be combined with lactation. For fast and high-quality milk outflow, special massage techniques should be used. They are pleasant to a woman, therefore they serve as an additional stimulation of oxytocin. The hormone helps produce a sufficient amount of milk and promotes its rapid release.
• With the help of a properly selected massage technique, blood flow to the breast tissue improves. This component plays one of the main roles in the formation of breast milk. Scientists have been able to prove that regular massage not only increases the volume of milk, but also helps it move much easier in the breast. In this case, the oxytocin reflex comes into effect.
• For lactostasis, it is recommended to regularly massage and put the baby to the breast. In this case, the likelihood of stagnation is eliminated, which negatively affects the woman’s well-being. You can easily feel the compacted area with your hands. After this, you need to constantly influence it. Movements should be soft and smooth; pressure should not be applied. Small pebbles should be broken using simple manipulations. Thanks to this, it will be possible to prevent the worsening of the disease. To do this, it is necessary to soften the compacted area before each feeding. In this case, it will be possible to prevent stagnation.
• Rapid restoration of tissue tone. During breastfeeding, a woman's breasts change not only the volume, but also the shape. Too much growth can lead to stretch marks. The situation arises against the background of muscle dysfunction. They can no longer withstand the additional load and sag. When using the correct massage technique, it is possible to eliminate or prevent the formation of such negative manifestations on the skin. Thanks to this, it will be possible to keep the breasts in the same condition as they were before pregnancy and childbirth.

Breast massage using a shower

Massage during breastfeeding should also be performed for preventive purposes. It is important not only to adhere to the technique exactly, but also to perform the procedures regularly.

Today in medical practice you can use one of the available techniques. Its choice depends on the desired result and the purpose of the manipulation.