Getting a professional massage while breastfeeding is generally safe and can be very beneficial during the postpartum period. However, certain precautions and adjustments are necessary for comfort and safety. These considerations primarily involve positioning during the massage, the products used on the skin, and specific health situations that require medical advice.
Managing Comfort and Positioning During Massage
The physical changes that accompany lactation require adjustments to standard massage table positioning for comfort. Lying face-down, known as the prone position, can cause uncomfortable or painful pressure on breasts that are full of milk or engorged. This pressure should be avoided to prevent pain and potential issues with milk flow.
Massage therapists often recommend the side-lying position as the best option for nursing mothers. This technique utilizes pillows and bolsters to support the head, abdomen, and knees, keeping the spine aligned and taking pressure off the breasts. Specialized massage tables or cushions with cutouts for the breasts are also available and can provide relief when lying prone.
It is helpful to communicate with the therapist about how full the breasts are and if they are prone to leaking, also known as the milk ejection reflex. The release of the hormone oxytocin during the relaxation response of massage can sometimes trigger this reflex. Having a towel readily available to place over the breasts, or scheduling the massage immediately after a feeding or pumping session, can help manage potential leakage.
Impact on Milk Supply and Essential Oil Safety
Massage promotes relaxation, positively affecting the hormones involved in lactation. Reducing stress hormones like cortisol allows for a better release of oxytocin, which triggers the milk ejection reflex, or “let-down.” A relaxing full-body massage may indirectly support milk flow, especially when a mother is stressed or fatigued.
Essential oils require careful consideration, as some can transfer to the baby or potentially impact milk supply. Certain strong oils, such as peppermint, contain menthol and can decrease milk production in some women, so they should be avoided in massage lotions or diffused products. Other oils like sage and wintergreen are also generally advised against during breastfeeding due to potential toxicity or risk of transfer to the baby.
When using topical products, it is important that any essential oils are highly diluted in a carrier oil and that the products are not applied directly to the breast area. Lavender and chamomile are often considered safer options for relaxation, but mothers should always discuss any product use with their healthcare provider or a certified aromatherapist. Applying any oil near the breast risks the baby ingesting it or reacting to the scent during feeding.
Specific Situations Requiring Caution or Avoidance
While general massage is safe, certain postpartum conditions require caution or medical clearance. For example, if a mother has an acute infection like mastitis, massage should be avoided directly over the affected, inflamed area. Applying pressure can worsen the inflammation or spread the infection. Intense or deep breast massage should be avoided when inflammation is present, as it can damage stressed breast tissue.
Mothers who have had a cesarean section need to wait four to six weeks before receiving abdominal massage to allow the surgical incision to heal fully. Even after this initial healing phase, any massage near the scar should be gentle and performed only with clearance from a healthcare provider. If a mother has a high fever, generalized illness, or underlying chronic conditions, seeking medical advice prior to a massage session is the safest course of action.
Impact on Milk Supply and Essential Oil Safety
Massage is known to promote relaxation, which can have a positive effect on the hormones involved in lactation. The reduction of stress hormones like cortisol allows for a better release of oxytocin, which is the hormone responsible for the milk ejection reflex, or “let-down”. This mechanism suggests that a relaxing full-body massage may indirectly support milk flow, particularly when a mother is feeling stressed or fatigued.
Essential oils require careful consideration, as some can transfer to the baby or potentially impact milk supply. Certain strong oils, such as peppermint, contain menthol and can decrease milk production in some women, so they should be avoided in massage lotions or diffused products. Other oils like sage and wintergreen are also generally advised against during breastfeeding due to potential toxicity or risk of transfer to the baby.
When using topical products, it is important that any essential oils are highly diluted in a carrier oil and that the products are not applied directly to the breast area. Lavender and chamomile are often considered safer options for relaxation, but mothers should always discuss any product use with their healthcare provider or a certified aromatherapist. Applying any oil near the breast risks the baby ingesting it or reacting to the scent during feeding.
Specific Situations Requiring Caution or Avoidance
While general massage is safe, certain conditions specific to the postpartum period require caution or medical clearance before treatment. For example, if a mother has an acute infection like mastitis, massage should be avoided directly over the affected, inflamed area. Applying pressure to an infected breast can potentially worsen the inflammation or spread the infection. The current clinical protocol suggests that intense or deep breast massage should be avoided when inflammation is present, as it can damage already stressed breast tissue.
Mothers who have had a cesarean section need to wait a period of time, often four to six weeks, before receiving abdominal massage to allow the surgical incision to heal fully. Even after this initial healing phase, any massage near the scar should be gentle and only performed with clearance from a healthcare provider. Furthermore, if a mother is experiencing a high fever, a generalized illness, or has any underlying chronic conditions, seeking medical advice prior to a massage session is the safest course of action.