How Massage Therapy Can Help Breastfeeding
To you mamas who are struggling with breastfeeding and milk supply, this post is for you!
Breastfeeding isn’t always as easy as it seems. There is a steep learning curve and one major stressor over breastfeeding early on is low milk supply.
A few reasons why low milk supply happens include:
1. Psychological stress from labour
2. Difficulties and lack of support initiating breastfeeding
3. Anxiety and stress over caring for a newborn
There is so much information about lactation and breastfeeding, but not a lot of talk about low milk supply which leaves many new moms wondering, “I can’t satisfy my baby, now what?”
Well, as RMTs, we can help!
How can Registered Massage Therapy help with breastfeeding?
As RMTs, we work on increasing circulation through the entire front chest, loosening muscles underneath and around the breast tissue, increasing lymphatic flow, and addressing any ducts that may feel sore or too firm.
In fact, a case study conducted by Sheila Young, RMT at wellbe, examined the effect of massage on lactation. She tracked the amount of breastmilk expressed over 10 massage treatment sessions. Results showed that 24 hrs prior to treatment 5-8 oz was produced and 24 hrs post treatment 7-11 oz was produced!
Another interesting study from Japan showed that breast massage increased the lipid and energy content of breast milk, possibly satisfying baby easier. Win-win!
RMT Alannah has worked with many soon-to-be and new moms educating them, treating the front torso, and teaching different positions to feed.
Did you know?
Not every position releases milk from every duct, and to avoid blocked ducts or mastitis it’s important to make sure all the ducts are addressed.
Alannah probably has a couple positions up her sleeve you probably haven’t heard of or tried!
So to you mamas stressing out about low milk supply, struggling with breast pain, or a hunched posture, you’re not alone!
Let us help!
Here are some breastfeeding self-care exercises: (you can do these on your own or with a partner)
1. Upper back: These muscles are usually lengthened and tight from constantly looking down and holding/feeding baby. Place a ball between your spine and shoulder blade while against a wall. Move your torso in all directions to roll the ball around; lean back onto a wall if more pressure is needed.
2. Upper chest: These muscles are usually shortened and tight for the same reasons as #1. Place a ball on the area just below your collarbone and roll it around in all directions from your breast bone to armpit, all along your chest; lean forward onto a wall if more pressure is needed.
3. Breast massage: Starting at the base of the breast with your hand in a “C-shape”, gently work towards the nipple while the baby is feeding. You can do this on each area of the breast.
4. For breast pain:
Take a lightly damped bath towel and twist it lengthwise. Set the towel in the freezer for about 5-10 minutes. Twist the towel around the breasts in a “Figure-8” position and let sit for 10-15 minutes.
Alternatively, if you’re not a fan of cold, you can use a towel damp with warm/hot (not boiling) water to also help decrease pain and increase circulation.
*Disclaimer: Lactation is not specifically within an RMT’s scope of practice, but decreasing stress levels and helping with newborn-mom hunched posture are.
Patel, U., Gedam, D. S. (2013) Effect of back Massage on Lactation among Postnatal Mothers. Int. J. Med. Res. & Rev. 1:5-13
Foda, Mervat I.*; Kawashima, Takaaki†; Nakamura, Sadako†; Kobayashi, Michiko‡; Oku, Tsuneyuki† Composition of Milk Obtained From Unmassaged Versus Massaged Breasts of Lactating Mothers, Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition: May 2004 - Volume 38 - Issue 5 - p 484-487