Breast Massage?

[Tamz]

Hi

I was wondering how many people massage their breasts while they are feeding.

I use to do it, until bub decided he wouldnt breast feed unless i was standing up rocking him .... so its a bit difficult now.

If hes half asleep i can feed him normally and i will do it then.

The clinic nurse said that doing the breast massage is doubling the amount of milk in each suck ... ?????

Is that true?

Most of the time he only feeds for 5mins - he doesnt come off as if hes full, its usually a arching back, a grizzle and then he refuses to go back on the boob again.... he then smiles at me!

How long do you guyz nurse for? BTW bub is 3.5months.

Thanks

Tamz

[JnA]

Hi Tamz

I used to massage when I felt lumps to get rid of them. But now not at all.
Jade is now just under four months, she used to feed for an hour (half and hour each side approx) now it's about fifteen to twenty minutes each side.

We have a routine. The morning feeds (the first ones) and the evening feed right before she goes to bed, are fifteen to twenty minutes each side with about five minutes in between for burping, nappy change and rest. The day feeds are one side only about fifteen minutes, sometimes less.. they are really just top ups.

The clinic nurse said that doing the breast massage is doubling the amount of milk in each suck ... ?????

Is that true?

I don't know, but logically, if you are pushing on the breast you are 'milking' so maybe. My concern (maybe unfounded) is that it could make baby lazy.. they only have to suck half as much to get more milk?


I love it when they smile at you. Jade smiles like she's drunk.. it's so funny.

[JanetF]

I've never massaged my breasts while feeding except the 2 occasions when I had a blocked duct. Your MCHN is kinda on the right track but she's exaggerating. It can increase the amount flowing but really why bother? Your baby will just suck until he's had enough. This is nature's way of making sure you create enough milk (demand creates supply so to make more, feed more!) so always allow your baby unfettered access to the breast. As for times, babies feed as long as they need. My son at 3 months probably fed 10 mins on each side. By 6 months he fed 20 mins. Nowadays he can pop on and off for an hour or more - he's 2. There is no right or wrong for how long your baby needs to feed and only they can know. I would never suggest routine breastfeeding because it's contrary to how bf really works. Babies need the breast for a lot more than food - it's comfort, emotional closeness, security in a changing world. Many babies will want to suck if they're scared, tired, upset, worried, suffering separation anxiety. I f we meet that need, it goes away in it's own time, to the child's own timetable. Keep up the great booby work! Don't worry about the massage, it's really not necessary.

[kylietheplanetgirl]

Hi there,
Dont know much about the massage as I only did it after I had Mastitis and have now stopped. My bubba is 3.5months too and will spend about 6 mins each boob. She will grizzle and groan when the breast is empty until I put her on the other boob. She is also grizzly if she needs a burp.
Kylie

[veve]

hey

I only massage if I feel bumps ... and then I just kinda apply pressure to the spot rather than actually massage. (Ds finds the massage a little frustrating.. as he is still mastering the latching and STAYING )
there is no WAY I could stand and hold my DS while feeding.. he's too heavy!!! - my little man is only three weeks old... and he now feeds for half an hour... last week it was only 15 minutes... he is such a pig!!!! - there is definately nothing wrong with my milk supply... he just has hollow legs

xxxx