Low milk supply refers to the condition where the lactation is insufficient to meet the needs of the baby or is absent altogether. Normal women start lactating within 12 hours after delivery, and the milk supply increases significantly after 2-3 days. Insufficient milk production often occurs between the 2nd and 3rd day after delivery, but can also happen throughout the breastfeeding period.
In clinical practice, low milk supply in the early postpartum period is common. The loss of blood and energy during childbirth leads to deficiency in Qi and Blood, resulting in insufficient milk production. I have used massage therapy to treat this condition, and the clinical outcomes have been satisfactory.
The patient is positioned in a supine position, and the therapist stands on the side of the patient. The thumbs are pressed on the root of the breast, the Yintang, the Renzhong, and the Tianxi acupoints for 1-2 minutes. Then, the thumbs and index fingers of both hands are used to push and lift the breast towards the center of the breast for 1-3 times. The palms of both hands exert pressure from the sides of the breast towards the nipple, and massage in the direction of the breast for 3-5 times. The left hand supports the breast, while the right hand uses the index and ring fingers to massage along the direction of the mammary lobes from the bottom of the breast towards the nipple, for 15-20 minutes on each side. The nipple is pressed and squeezed horizontally and vertically for 3-5 times. The distal acupoints such as Zusanli, Sanyinjiao, Pishu, and Weishu are pressed for 1-3 minutes. This treatment is done once a day, typically with 1-5 sessions achieving the desired effect.
The book "Ningkun Miji, Volume on Lactation, Dahuang Gao Formula" states: "To treat postpartum low milk supply... regardless of timing, the mother needs to massage the breasts more than a thousand times, and then the milk will flow like a spring." Breast massage promotes blood circulation, and gentle breast massage stimulates the milk ejection reflex. The nipples, areolas, and milk ducts are rich in nerve endings and tactile receptors. Through stimulation, the excitement is transmitted to the anterior and posterior lobes of the pituitary gland at the base of the brain, causing the secretion of prolactin, enhancing the milk ejection reflex, and increasing milk production. Postpartum breast massage is safe, effective, convenient, and cost-efficient. If a mother does not breastfeed on time or is too tired, which causes low milk supply, it is not a pathological condition. It only requires attention to rest and breastfeeding on schedule, and the milk supply will naturally be sufficient.
