What is a breast massage for breastfeeding?
Some nursing parents find that this form of touch helps support breastfeeding.
“Relieving discomfort from these conditions can help mothers continue breastfeeding until symptoms resolve.”
Is breast massage safe for breastfeeding moms?
It’s safe to massage your breasts while you’re breastfeeding, Peluso says.
Just keep your touch relatively soft and light.
Think gentle pressure, not the kind of hard kneading you might try on an achy back or shoulders.
How can you tell if you’re getting it right?
Read This Next
Benefits of breast massage
Why try a breast massage?
Here are a few reasons to consider adding the practice to your routine.
“It can help promote feelings of relaxation and calm,” Peluso says.
Stimulating the production of feel-good hormones like oxytocin tells your breasts to release milk.
Soothes pain
Breastfeeding doesn’t always feel good.
And clogged ducts or infections likemastitiscan be downright painful.
Gentle massage can reduce your discomfort by reducing inflammation in your breast tissue and relieving clogs, Ordner explains.
You may need antibiotics to flush the infection.
Do lactation massagers really work?
Lactation massagers are basically vibrating electronic devices that do the massage work for you.
They score some points for convenience, but it’s probably worth steering clear.
Gentle breast massages are an easy, effective tool for coping with a bunch of different breastfeeding issues.
So if you’re interested, they’re worth a try.
