Breast Compression Breastfeeding Techniques

Breast compression is a gentle squeezing technique used to keep milk flowing into baby’s mouth if he has stopped drinking, but is still suckling. This massage while breastfeeding will then get the milk flowing and baby drinking again.

When are compressions needed:

- When baby falls asleep at the breast...read more on how to wake a sleepy baby for breastfeeding.

- When baby takes too long to breastfeed or breastfeeds very often

- When mom has sore nipples and needs the breastfeeding session to be as short as possible.

- When mom has mastitis or a blocked duct , compressions can help drain the breast effectively while baby is breastfeeding.

- Baby is a lazy drinker, premature and/or has other sucking problems.

- Mom wants to stimulate a milk let down (increase her breast milk flow)

- To increase milk production in general.

Watch the breast compression video…

- Massaging the breasts while breastfeeding ensures that baby gets more of the substantial hind milk that is fattier and more substantial, this will also help reduce colic.

- Make sure baby is latched on effectively and is, therefore, swallowing well. You should see baby’s jaw moving with each swallow and you may be able to hear baby swallow.

- Hold your breast with a U hold (thumb or forefinger on top of breast and other fingers under your breast as in picture) Try not to touch the areola (dark part around your nipple)

- Use your thumb or forefinger and put some pressure on your breast…you do not need to move your thumb, but only need to press down. Press down every time baby sucks and then release. Don’t press too hard…it should not hurt.

- If baby continues to suck you can stop compression until he stops sucking. The release of pressure will allow your milk to start flowing again.

- If baby does not start drinking well after this, you can start compression again.

- Once baby has emptied one breast

you can offer the other. It’s always

Moms that want to increase milk production

- Compressions will help drain the breast and therefore increase milk supply

- Breast massage in-between feedings can also increase breast milk production.

- Other ways to increase breast milk supply

- Let down reflex – increasing and decreasing flow

-    Breast massage for in between feedings

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