The feeding period for each woman proceeds differently. Some experience unpleasant sensations from excess milk, while others, on the contrary, are not produced enough. Often, nursing mothers are faced with diseases associated with stagnation of milk. Breast massage while breastfeeding is able to solve these problems. It is recommended for women already in the first day after childbirth, since it has absolutely no side effects.
The beneficial effect of breast massage for nursing
Properly performed massage brings undeniable benefits to both mother and child.
What are the beneficial properties of this procedure for a nursing woman?
- Massage movements in the chest area contribute to muscle relaxation and activation of the mammary glands. Thanks to this, the milk in the chest does not stagnate, and the feeding process is easier and faster.
- Massage helps increase blood circulation, which leads to the production of a larger volume of milk.
- Massage strengthens the pectoral muscles. Regularly conducting a useful procedure, a woman will prevent sagging, loss of shape of her breasts, the appearance of stretch marks, and also quickly restore the figure after childbirth.
- Feeling her breasts regularly during massage, a woman will be able to notice seals (lactostasis) in time, which indicate stagnation of milk.
- Breast massage during feeding, carried out at the initial stage of the appearance of lactostasis, can prevent the occurrence of severe complications - mastitis.
How to do breast massage
Massage each breast for about 5 minutes. You should not be afraid to compress the mammary glands too much: this helps to increase lactation. Before the procedure, it is important to wash your hands and chest thoroughly, as well as completely express the milk.
During massage, castor or olive oil can be used, but care must be taken that it does not appear on the nipples. The procedure should not cause a woman discomfort. Unpleasant sensations indicate an incorrect massage technique. It is most convenient to massage the chest, sitting in front of the mirror. A nursing mother should be in a relaxed state and have a positive attitude.
After lubricating clean hands with a small amount of oil, perform the following massage operations:
- pressing firmly on the rib cage from above, make circular motions in one area of the chest for several seconds, then move your fingers to the next place. Massage in a spiral, heading towards the nipple;
- with light movements, stroke the neckline and chest from top to bottom;
- leaning forward, gently shake your chest with your hands. In this case, stagnant milk will go down due to gravity;
- holding the nipple with two fingers, move it in different directions, twist, gently pull. Such actions are very effective for increasing lactation. If you have cracks in the nipples, you must first heal them. With increased sensitivity of the nipples, such a massage is not recommended;
- complete the massage with a warm shower. Give a gentle stream of water to each breast in turn.
Thanks to regular breast massage, a woman is able to prevent many problems and turn the process of feeding her baby into a real pleasure. A nursing mother should remember that the best massage of the mammary glands is to place the baby on the chest only on demand.
