Breast Compressions

(United States Breastfeeding Committee)

Maybe you have heard of breast compressions but you are not sure exactly how to do them or if you should be doing them. I am hoping this post will help.

First, what are some reasons to use breast compressons? If your baby is sleepy and tends to actively suck and swallow for just a short time and then falls asleep, then trying breast compressions may help your baby to actively nurse for longer. Breast compressions can also help with babies who are slow to gain weight, have colic, or tend to stay at the breast for long periods of time or nurse frequently. Breast compressions are also useful if you have sore nipples and even if you tend to have recurrent symptoms on the mastitis spectrum. (1) Breast compressions in all these situations help keep baby actively sucking and swallowing at the breast longer and help empty the breast more. If your baby is doing well and breastfeeding is going smoothly, breast compressions are not necessary. (2) 

How do you do a breast compression? When your baby is nursing and doesn’t seem to be actively swallowing anymore, take your hand and put it around your breast close to your chest wall. Gently squeeze your breast - do not roll your thumb and fingers but just gently squeeze - and then hold it until baby is not actively sucking again. When you first gently squeeze your breast, your baby should start actively swallowing but then once he or she stops, release the pressure. Rest your hand for a minute and then gently squeeze again if baby is not actively swallowing. You might even change the position of your hand on your breast to compress different areas of your breast. Keep up this routine until baby is not actively swallowing even with the breast compressions. Then offer the other breast. If you are experiencing sore nipples, you might want to switch breasts more frequently during this process. Here is a video of what breast compressions look like.

References: 

(1) Kellymom: Latching and Positioning Resources

(2) International Breastfeeding Centre: Breast Compressions

Written by Gina M. Peterson, BS, IBCLC