Mastitis is the inflammation of the breast with or without an infection. Mastitis is seen more in lactating women. Mastitis can be easily preventable if the proper technique of breastfeeding is practiced.
However, many women suffer from mastitis during the lactating period. Therapeutic breast massage in lactation (TBML) is the massage technique you should follow if you have breast engorgement, plugged ducts or mastitis. This massage technique can prevent mastitis if you have a plugged duct, reduce the symptoms of mastitis by clearing the milk and fluid from the breast and reduce the breast engorgement. This can be done easily at home, it’s very simple and you can do it by yourself. It also increases the milk flow which can help if you have any problems with the secretion of milk.
How Do You Massage Mastitis?
How to do therapeutic breast massage in lactation? So, before starting the massage you need to relax in a comfortable position, preferably sitting with your back supported. Take some extra virgin olive oil on to your fingertips then start massaging the areola gently with your fingertips. Now move on to the breast, massage all areas of the breast with circular movements. There are two other technique that you can alternate with circular massage which are gentle tapping with the fingertips on the breast and with the back of your fists gently kneading on the breasts. All of the above three methods can be done alternatively to massage the breast.
In-between the massage use your hand to express milk in order to remove milk from that breast. When milk starts flowing massage the breast 1-2 times and then hand express the milk 3-4 times (gradually increase the hand expression and reduce the massage). Continue this massage session for 30-45 minutes.
TBML can prevent clogging of ducts and make the milk flow easily. If there are plugged ducts while doing the massage, take your non- massaging hand gently put some pressure behind the plug to gradually move it down along the milk duct.
If your breast is swollen the following technique also can be helpful. Massage the outer aspects of the breast in long strokes towards the lymph nodes in the arm pit (this is the place where breast fluid drains). Then massage the inner aspect of the breast towards the middle of the chest. This massage technique helps the fluid that cannot be hand expressed to drain out of the breast.
Applying warm compressions to your breast, having warm baths along with Therapeutic breast massage in lactation can help drain the milk more.
Benefits Of Therapeutic Breast Massage In Lactation
Pain Reduction. Nipple and breast pain that is caused by plugged ducts and mastitis tend to reduce significantly after Therapeutic breast massage in lactation.
Reduction In The Breast Engorgement And Discomfort. Plugged ducts and mastitis can be associated with breast engorgement. Therapeutic breast massage in lactation reduces the breast engorgement immediately.
Reduction In The Plugged Ducts. After Therapeutic breast massage in lactation plugged ducts resolve completely most of the time.
Summary
Therapeutic breast massage in lactation (TBML) is a massaging technique for the treatment of breast engorgement, plugged ducts and mastitis. Position yourself comfortably. Start massaging the areola gently with your fingertips, then massage all areas of the breast with circular movements. There are two other techniques that you can alternate with circular massage which are gentle tapping with the fingertips on the breast and with the back of your fists gently kneading on the breasts. In-between the massage use your hand to express milk. When milk starts flowing massage the breast 1-2 times and then hand express the milk 3-4 times. Continue this massage session for 30-45 minutes. If there are plugged ducts, while doing the massage, take you’re non- massaging hand, gently put some pressure behind the plug to gradually move it down along the milk duct. To reduce the engorgement massage the outer aspects of the breast in long strokes towards the lymph nodes in the arm pit. Then massage the inner aspect of the breast towards the middle of the chest.
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