Contents:
- Medical Video: Mastitis & New Moms
- Why do nursing mothers need to massage the breast?
- Before undergoing breast massage
- How to massage the breast
Medical Video: Mastitis & New Moms
After giving birth, many women are afraid that the provision of breast milk (ASI) to the baby is not smooth. Indeed there are many things that can interfere with your milk production. Some of them are lack of rest, stress, poor health conditions, side effects of drugs, or an unbalanced diet.
Fortunately, there are many ways you can try to facilitate the production of breast milk. You may have heard that pumping breast milk can increase milk. Apparently, in addition there are also easy ways while providing a comfortable relaxing effect for nursing mothers. The method is breast massage (also known as lactation massage). Massaging the breast to facilitate breastfeeding can begin several days or weeks after giving birth. Come on, see the sundries of breast massage for nursing mothers below.
Why do nursing mothers need to massage the breast?
Breast massage can help blood circulation and breast milk in nursing mothers. When massaged, the ASI channel will become smoother. This is because the mammary glands that are clogged or clot will slowly decompose. ASI can come out easily. If your milk production is smooth, the breast will be triggered to produce more milk. So, nursing mothers who have problems with breast milk production can try to massage this breast.
READ ALSO: Breast Slack After Breastfeeding, Why?
In addition to smoothing breast milk, breast massage is also effective to prevent and relieve swelling or mastitis that usually occurs when breastfeeding. Massaging the breast can also help you feel more relaxed and comfortable. That way, the mind becomes calmer and you can rest well. You can also avoid the problem of clogged milk due to stress or lack of sleep.
Before undergoing breast massage
Breast massage can be done alone at home every day. Choose a free time so you feel relaxed and not in a hurry. We recommend that breast massage is also done a few moments before feeding the baby or pumping breast milk.
READ ALSO: Choose a Manual or Electric Breast Pump? This is a comparison
Before massaging, first wash your hands thoroughly. Then, prepare a massage oil that is safe and does not contain too many dangerous chemicals. Avoid massage lotions or oils that contain fragrances or additional dyes. The most appropriate choices are olive oil, coconut oil, or baby oil. You can also use special lactation massage oil available at the nearest shop or pharmacy. Don't apply it directly to the breast. Pour enough in the palm of your hand and rub your hands together until the oil is evenly distributed. Now, you are ready to massage your breasts to smooth the milk.
READ ALSO: 9 Ways to Use Coconut Oil for Babies
How to massage the breast
Massaging your own breasts is not too complicated. Just follow the easy steps below. After that, you can say goodbye to various problems of lactation after giving birth.
- While standing in front of the mirror, lift one side of the breast with your left hand and hold the upper part of the breast with your right hand.
- Move both hands back and forth gently, if the right hand is towards the left, then the left hand moves to the right. Repeat this movement up to 20 times and change to the other side of the breast.
- Position both palms on the side of one breast. Gently, move both hands up and down, if the right hand up, then the left hand down. Repeat this movement up to 20 times and change to the other side of the breast.
- Lift one side of the breast with the left hand. With three or four fingers of your right hand, make a circular motion over the nipple 20 times.
- Still in the same position, make a circular motion around the nipple 20 times.
- With the fingers of your hands, massage the breasts slowly from the outside (next to the breast, which is under the armpit and cleavage) to the nipple. Repeat 10 times and change to the other side of the breast.
- With the tip of the thumb and forefinger, slowly twist the nipples on each breast.
- Milk may come out after breast massage. You can pump the milk directly or first clean the breast from the remnants of massage oil, then breastfeed the child.
READ ALSO: Overcoming Nipple Blisters in Breastfeeding Mothers
