Your baby just finished nursing, but a few minutes later she is still hungry. You begin to worry, did she get enough to eat? Do I make enough milk?

Sound familiar?

You’re not alone. Low milk supply and failure to fully empty each breast are two of the most common breastfeeding problems, along with nursing pain, engorgement, plugged ducts, and mastitis.

Fortunately, one simple solution addresses all of these challenges—breast massage.

A growing body of scientific research finds that breast massage can increase milk output, relieve clogged ducts, reduce breastfeeding pain and breast engorgement, and even improve the quality of milk. 

The problem is, no one really teaches you how to massage the breast effectively and it can be tiring for your hands.

A breastfeeding massager, such as the LaVie Lactation Massage Roller takes the guesswork out of breast massage and helps you ensure your baby is getting the best nutrition possible. It is hands down (pun intended) a game changer for breastfeeding moms.  

Here are five reasons why every mom needs a lactation massage roller:  

1. Improves breastfeeding letdown

That tingling feeling of letdown is a sign to many new moms that their baby is getting milk after latching on. When letdown takes a long time, your baby can grow frustrated. A study published in 2010 found that about 20 percent of women experience slow letdown in breastfeeding.  A lactation massage roller stimulates the milk ducts and can speed up letdown when used before nursing or pumping so that your baby can quickly get the milk she needs.

For breastfeeding moms whose letdown is too fast, a lactation massager can help you alleviate the pressure by stimulating the breast so you can express some breastmilk before your baby latches on. This way, she isn’t overwhelmed with the volume of milk and she will get to the fatty hindmilk faster. Just make sure not to express too much—the foremilk satisfies your baby’s thirst and contains essential nutrients for growth and development.

2. Releases oxytocin

Oxytocin is the feel-good hormone that causes the glands in your breast to contract and fill the milk ducts so that your baby can get milk. It also helps create a strong connection between you and your baby and causes your uterus to contract, which helps your body return to its pre-pregnancy shape. Using a lactation massager can help increase oxytocin release by stimulating the breast with the strategically placed bumps on the roller. Use it before, during, and after nursing or pumping session to maximize results.

3. Alleviate low milk supply

Being able to provide for your baby’s nutritional needs through breastfeeding is everything to you. So, when it doesn’t happen because of low milk supply, it can be as disturbing for you as it is for your baby. Before you reach for a supplement, consider the research on how breast massage affects milk supply. By compressing the ducts and moving the milk forward, a lactation massager helps you empty your breast effectively--which not only supplies enough milk for your baby’s needs today but also increases milk production overall.

A study published in the journal Nursing Clinics of North America divided 60 nursing mothers into two groups and counseled one group to use breast massage. The babies in the massage group consumed an average of 4.5 more ounces of milk per day than the control group. A similar study found that babies whose moms used breast massage gained a pound more over a 6-week period that babies of moms who didn’t.

To increase milk supply, you have to nurse frequently and effectively. Simply nursing more often isn’t enough. You also need to empty the breast completely and frequently, and that’s where a lactation massager can help!

4. Prevent clogged ducts and mastitis

A clogged milk duct is, as its name suggests, a blockage of one of the milk ducts that carries milk. Moms often notice it when a small, tender lump forms in one of the breasts. Left untreated, it can lead to mastitis, an infection in the breast tissue, and may require antibiotics or lead to stopping breastfeeding sooner than you want to.

One of the underlying causes of clogged milk ducts is not properly emptying the breast during each feeding. Breast massage has been shown to help fully empty breast milk and is an excellent prevention measure for blocked milk ducts. This was one of the primary reasons we developed the LaVie line, including our original Lactation Massager.

5. Unique features for unique needs

The LaVie Lactation Massager was created to effectively and easily massage the breast. You have enough to think about with a newborn to care for, so the massage roller takes the guesswork out of breast massage and gives your hands a break.

The Lactation Massage Roller offers five distinct ways to use it to help empty the breast, work out clogs, and help get the milk moving. It is also fully adaptable to your needs. Each woman’s body is different, and the roller gives you the flexibility to find what works best for you. Its removable ball allows you to target specific locations on the breast that need further massage. Also, the roller is water resistant, so you can take it into a shower and use the heat of the water to work out clogs and soften the breast.

Get the LaVie Lactation Massage Roller Here.

REFERENCES:

Ahn S. et al. Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing. “Effects of breast massage on breast pain, breast-milk sodium, and newborn suckling in early postpartum mothers.” Aug 2011

Anderson, Loretta et al. JBI Database of Systematic Reviews and Implementation Reports. “Effectiveness of breast massage in the treatment of women with breastfeeding problems: a systematic review protocol.” Aug 2016, Vol 14, Issue 8

Bowles, Betty Carlson Clinical Lactation “Breast Massage: A “Handy” Multipurpose Tool to Promote Breastfeeding Success.” Vol 2, Issue 4.

Bowles, B.C., Stutte, P.C., & Hensley, J.H. Genesis (ASPO/Lamaze), “New benefits from an old technique: Alternate massage in breastfeeding.” (December 1987/January 1988).

Iffrig, M.C. Nursing Clinics of North America. “Nursing care and success in breastfeeding.” 1968

Tomerak RH. The Journal of the Egyptian Public Health Association. “Infants' fussiness on the breast; a window to salvage breastfeeding before breast rejection.” 2010