After pregnancy, pregnant women may experience many changes in their breasts, such as breast swelling and pain in the early stages of pregnancy. Pregnant women must pay special attention to their breast health. Massage can promote breast health, so pregnant women can actively massage their breasts.
Breast massage during pregnancy has many benefits
1. Massage can soften the breasts, make the milk ducts and glands unobstructed, and increase the smooth flow of milk.
2. Help expectant mothers build confidence in breastfeeding.
3. Massaging the breasts can remove the dirt generated by metabolism in the milk ducts and the cotton tissue in the bra.
4. It will stimulate the nipple and areola, making the skin of the nipple stronger and making it easier for the baby to suckle in the future.
5. Prevent postpartum breast sagging.
Methods of breast massage during pregnancy
Breast massage
Step 1: Apply a warm towel to the entire breast.
Step 2: Place one hand horizontally on the other breast and press the other hand onto it. Use both hands to press and massage the breast towards the center of the chest.
Step 3: Place your fingers together diagonally below the breast, vibrate the entire breast from the base, and then use both hands to push and massage the breast diagonally upwards.
Step 4: Lift the breasts from below and use both hands to push them upwards.
Reminder: During the above massage, both hands must hold the entire breast, and the range of motion should be large. If you feel the breast mass disappear from the pectoralis major muscle, it is effective. However, it is strictly forbidden to knead randomly to avoid breast injury.
Nipple massage
Step 1: Wash your hands thoroughly and use soapy water to scrub the outside of the nipple in a circular motion to the base of the breast (collarbone area). Clean the left and right breasts separately. Nipples should be avoided from washing with soap to remove the protective oil on the outer layer, and attention should be paid to cleaning the scab.
Step 2: After cleaning, hold the breast with your hand and massage the base of the breast under the self-locking bone towards the nipple with your middle and index fingers. Pinch the nipple with your thumb and index finger to increase its toughness.
Massage with both thumbs and index fingers from the base of the breast towards the nipple, twice a day, 20 times each time.
Kind reminder: You can use a blunt toothed comb to gently comb from the base of the breast towards the nipple, which can also keep the breast ducts unobstructed and facilitate postpartum breastfeeding.
Hot compress massage
Dip a clean towel in warm water and wipe in a circular motion from the center of the nipple towards the areola. Apply hot compress alternately on both sides for 15 minutes each, while using the following massage techniques:
1. Circular massage: Place both hands above and below the breasts and massage the entire breast in a circular direction.
2. Spiral massage: Hold the breast with one hand and massage towards the nipple with the index and middle fingers in a spiral shape.
3. Finger pressure massage: Place both hands on both sides of the breast and squeeze from the breast towards the nipple.
4. Horizontal massage: The purpose is to maintain good blood circulation in the breasts. The basic method is to move the base of the breast, and the bulging part (breast body) does not need to be rubbed.
Don't forget to go to bed or wake up
Before waking up and before going to bed every day, rotate and massage around the breasts, first clockwise and then counterclockwise, until the breast skin is slightly red and hot. Finally, lift the nipple several times and pat both palms up the lower edge of the breast several times.
Skincare products are essential
After scrubbing with warm water, apply a layer of oil on the nipple and areola, then cover the breasts with a damp hot towel for 5 minutes. Then do 4 breast massage exercises, 20-30 times per exercise, for a more ideal effect.
Section 1: Massage your hands back and forth under your breasts.
Section 2: Massage the breasts clockwise or counterclockwise with both hands (without stimulating the nipples).
Section 3: Massage the left hand from below the left breast to above the right breast, and massage the right hand from below the right breast to above the left breast.
Section 4: Massage the right hand from the inner side of the left arm to the side of the left breast, and exchange the left and right hands as before.
This article discusses the benefits of breast massage, how to perform breast massage, and the methods and techniques of breast massage. After pregnancy, women can massage their breasts according to the methods described in this article, which is very beneficial for breast health.
