Breast Compression 416
Breast Compression
The sole purpose of breast compression is to continue the flow of milk to the baby once the baby no longer drinks on his own. Compression will also stimulate a let down reflex and often causes a natural let down reflex to occur. This technique may also be useful for the following: 1. Poor weight gain in the baby. 2. Colic in the breast fed baby. 3. Frequent feedings or long feedings. 4. Sore nipples for the mother. 5. Recurrent blocked ducts 6. Feeding the baby who falls asleep quick.
If everything is going well, breast compression may not be necessary. When all is well, the mother should allow the baby to finish feeding on the first side, then if the baby wants more - offer the other side.
How to use breast compression 1. Hold the baby with one arm. 2. Hold the breast with the other arm, thumb on one side of your breast, your finger on the other far back from the nipple 3. Keep an eye out for the baby's drinking, although there is no need to be obsessive about catching every suck. The baby will get more milk when drinking with an open pause type of suck. 4. When the baby is nibbling or no longer drinking, compress the breast, not so hard that it hurts though. With the breast compression, the baby should begin drinking again. 5. Keep up the pressure until the baby no longer drinks with the compression, then release the pressure. If the baby doesn't stop sucking with the release of compression, wait a bit before compressing again. 6. The reason for releasing pressure is to allow your hand to rest, and allow the milk to begin flowing to the baby again. If the baby stops sucking when you release the pressure, he'll start again once he tastes milk. 7. When the baby starts to suck again, he may drink. If not, simply compress again. 8. Continue feeding on the first side until the baby no longer drinks with compression. You should allow him time to stay on that side until he starts drinking again, on his own. 9. If the baby is no longer drinking, allow to come off the breast or take him off. 10. If the baby still wants more, offer the other side and repeat the process as above. 11. Unless you have sore nipples, you may want to switch sides like this several times. 12. Always work to improve the baby's latch.
More Articles
Breast Feeding Complications 517
Getting Started With Breast Feeding 293
How To Choose A Breast Pump 295
Benefits Of Breast Feeding 307
Related Products And FREE Videos
More Articles
Benefits Of Breast Feeding 307
... your growing baby needs, saving you a lot of money. Breast feeding also offers many benefits for the mom as well. The baby sucking at the breast will cause contractions right after birth, leading to less bleeding for the mom, and helping her uterus to it's shape before pregnancy much faster. Breast feeding ...
Weaning From Breast Feeding 440
... withhold your breast, as they results can be traumatic. You should however, try these methods instead: 1. Skip a feeding - Skip a feeding and see what happens, offering a cup of milk to your baby instead. As a substitue, you can use a bottle of your own pumped milk, formula, or a cow's milk. If you reduce ...
Breast Feeding And Jaundice 280
... order to diagnose it, the baby should be at least a week old. The baby should also be gaining well with breast feeding alone, having lots of bowel movements with the passing of clean urine. In this type of setting, the baby has what is referred to as breast milk jaundice. On occasion, infections of the ...
... support brain growth - nature made properties that science simply cannot copy. The important long term benefits of breast feeding include reduced risk of asthma, allergies, obesity, and some forms of childhood cancer. The more that scientists continue to learn, the better breast milk looks. In addition ...
... in your breasts or if the milk stops leaking from your nipples. Babies that go through growth spurts may want more milk than usual, and these more frequent feedings may leave your breasts less than full. Causes of it A mother's milk supply may diminish for a brief period of time if she isn't feeding her ...