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The
purpose of breast compression is to continue the flow of milk to the baby once
the baby no longer drinks (open - pause - close type of suck) on his own,
and thus keep him drinking milk. Breast compression simulates a letdown reflex
and often stimulates a natural letdown reflex to occur. The technique may be
useful for:
1.
Poor weight gain in the baby
2. Colic in the breastfed baby
3. Frequent feedings and/or long feedings
4. Sore nipples in the mother
5. Recurrent blocked ducts and/or mastitis
6. Encouraging the baby who falls asleep quickly to continue drinking
Breast
compression is not necessary if everything is going well. When all is going
well, the mother should allow the baby to “finish” feeding on the first side
and, if the baby wants more, should offer the other side. How do you know the
baby is finished? When he no longer drinks at the breast (open mouth wide—then
pause—then close mouth type of suck). Breast compression works
particularly well in the first few days, to help the baby get more
colostrum. Babies do not need much colostrum, but they need some. A good
latch and compression help them get it.
It may be
useful to know that:
1. A baby
who is well latched on gets milk more easily than one who is not. A baby who is
poorly latched on can get milk only when the flow of milk is rapid. Thus, many
mothers and babies do well with breastfeeding in spite of a poor latch,
because most mothers produce an abundance of milk.
2. In the first 3-6 weeks of life, babies tend to fall asleep at the breast when
the flow of milk is slow, not necessarily when they have had enough to
eat. After this age, they may start to pull away at the breast when the flow of
milk slows down. However, some pull at the breast even when they are much
younger, sometimes even in the first days.
3. Unfortunately many babies are latching on poorly. If the mother’s supply is
abundant the baby often does well as far as weight gain is concerned, but the
mother may pay a price—sore nipples, a “colicky” baby, a baby who is constantly
on the breast (but drinking only a small part of the time).
Breast
compression continues the flow of milk once the baby starts falling asleep at
the breast and results in the baby:
1.
Getting more milk.
2. Getting more milk that is high in fat.
Breast
Compression - How to do it
1. Hold
the baby with one arm.
2. Hold the breast with the other, thumb on one side of the breast (thumb
on the upper side of the breast is easiest), your other
fingers on the other, fairly far back from the nipple.
3. Watch for the baby’s drinking, though there is no need to be obsessive
about catching every suck. The baby gets substantial amounts of milk when he is
drinking with an open—pause—close type of suck. (open - pause - close is
one suck, the pause is not a pause between sucks).
4. When the baby is nibbling or no longer drinking with the open - pause
- close type of suck, compress the breast. Not so hard that it hurts and
try not to change the shape of the areola (the part of the breast near the
baby’s mouth). With the compression, the baby should start drinking again with
the open - pause - close type of suck.
5. Keep the pressure up until the baby no longer drinks even with the
compression, then release the pressure. Often the baby will stop sucking
altogether when the pressure is released, but will start again shortly as milk
starts to flow again. If the baby does not stop sucking with the release of
pressure, wait a short time before compressing again.
6. The reason to release the pressure is to allow your hand to rest, and to
allow milk to start flowing to the baby again. The baby, if he stops sucking
when you release the pressure, will start again when he starts to taste milk.
7. When the baby starts sucking again, he may drink (open - pause -
close). If not compress again as above.
8. Continue on the first side until the baby does not drink even with the
compression. You should allow the baby to stay on the side for a short time
longer, as you may occasionally get another letdown reflex and the baby will
start drinking again, on his own. If the baby no longer drinks, however, allow
him to come off or take him off the breast.
9. If the baby wants more, offer the other side and repeat the process.
10. You may wish, unless you have sore nipples, to switch sides back and forth
in this way several times.
11. Work on improving the baby’s latch.
12. Remember, compress as the baby sucks but does not drink.
The above
works best, in our experience in the clinic, but if you find a way which works
better at keeping the baby sucking with an open - pause - close type of
suck, use whatever works best for you and your baby. As long as it does not hurt
your breast to compress, and as long as the baby is “drinking” (open - pause
- close type of suck), breast compression is working.
You will
not always need to do this. As breastfeeding improves, you will able to let
things happen naturally.
About The Author: Dr. Jack Newman is a Toronto
pediatrician who has practiced medicine since 1970. In 1984 he established the
first hospital based breastfeeding clinic in Canada, at the Hospital for Sick
Children in Toronto. He now holds breastfeeding clinics in several Toronto area
hospitals. Jack has been a consultant with UNICEF's Baby Friendly Hospital
Initiative and has spoken at conferences around the world. He is the father of
three children, all breastfed.
Dr. Newman is the author of
"The Ultimate Breastfeeding Book of Answers"
NOTE: The article above titled "Breast
Compression" was written by Dr. Jack Newman and is the opinion of its author. "The New Parents Guide" does not guarantee the information to
be factual. Always use the guidance of your personal
doctor or your child's doctor over information you read on this site or elsewhere; your doctors know what is
best for you and your baby.
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