Breast massage therapy is a method of self-massage on the breast area of women to promote lactation, improve milk flow, and prevent and treat mastitis.
1. Prenatal Breast Massage
Starting from the 5th month of pregnancy, massage the opposite breast in a clockwise direction with the palm of your hand before going to bed, starting from the base of the breast and moving towards the nipple.
2. Postnatal Breast Massage
Can be done before each breastfeeding session during the day. Gently grasp the breast with both hands and rotate in a clockwise direction with the fingers around the breast. Then, gently pinch and loosen the breast towards the nipple, separating the pectoral fascia and breast base membrane. Hold the base of the breast with both hands and lift it towards the nipple, moving it up and down and from side to side. Cross your palms evenly over the breasts and use your index finger and thumb to tug on the nipple, separating it from the areola and breast groove. Then, use a warm towel to wipe the nipple to remove any milk plugs in the milk ducts. Rotate the breasts in a clockwise direction with the palms of your hands, and then use your thumb and index finger to squeeze around the areola, causing a light yellow or colorless transparent slightly sticky colostrum to flow out. You can then start breastfeeding.
3. Early-stage Mastitis Breast Leakage Massage
(1) Stroking method: Hold the breast with one hand, and with the palm of the other hand, stroke the breast skin from the armpit, under the clavicle, along the sternum, and at the edge of the ribs to the areola. The stroking should start off gently and gradually increase in pressure, repeating each direction 5-6 times. During stroking, milk may flow out.
(2) Pushing and kneading method: Hold the breast with one hand, and with the other hand, use the fingers to gently grab the areola. Push and knead the breast repeatedly, lifting it 8-10 times, gradually increasing the depth and length of the massage. At this time, with the milk flow, small millet-like plugs may be discharged, followed by a jet of milk.
(3) Stretching method: Stretch the tendons of both sides of the pectoralis major and the affected breast 3-5 times, once a day. The affected area and hands should be cleaned and disinfected before the massage. The technique should be light, quick, and gentle to prevent skin damage. Do not knead, rub, or squeeze the breast in areas with hard lumps to prevent the spread of inflammation. When breast pain is severe, you can first press and stroke the edges of the lump towards the direction away from the nipple several times before stroking in order to facilitate milk discharge. In severe cases of inflammation, it is necessary to use heat-clearing and detoxifying drugs in combination.
