The purpose of breast compression will not be to create a stronger flow of milk as it was once thought; rather, the goal is to continuously produce a stream of milk so that the baby continues to drink. Breast compression also creates a natural reflex that causes one to let down better.
This technique can also be useful for the following:
1. Poor weight gain in the infant.
2. Colic in the breast fed infant.
3. Long or regular feedings feedings.
4. Tender nipples for the mom.
5. Recurrent blocked ducts
6. Feeding fast.
If a baby is using breast compression to feed, or most breastfed babies use it, then ensure the mother does not overcompress the breast and that her nipple is in front of her babies mouth so he can latch on smoothly.
The best way to use breast compression
1. Hold the baby with one arm.
2. Support your breast with one arm, thumb on either side of your breast, and far from your nipple.
3. Although you will likely not need to monitor your infant’s drinking habits, it is a good idea to be aware that infants typically learn how to drink an open-mouth pause kind of suck first and foremost. When sucking with an open mouth, their tongue naturally gets in the way of swallowing any milk that may otherwise drip down into their lungs.
4. When the baby is no longer nursing or no longer drinking from the breast, gently pump the breast. With gentle pumping and compression, a mother’s body should start producing more milk to fill her baby’s demand.
5. Keep the pressure up until the baby no longer drinks with the compression, then release the pressure. Rarely indicates compression and release a bit if there is no drink drying immediately following compression.
6. If you’re feeding your baby and s/he suddenly stops sucking, it may be that his/her mouth gets tired. If you release the pressure to your infant’s lips, the baby will start to suckle again before long.
7. When the infant begins to suck again, he may be encouraged to nurse. If not, just place some mother’s milk on his lips.
8. Stop compressing. You need to leave him be until he naturally starts drinking again on his own.
9. Make sure to take a break from breastfeeding every now and then. If the baby is not drinking, it’s alright to take care of him otherwise.
10. If your baby takes too much, offer them the other breast. Repeat this process as previously advised.
11. You might find yourself switching positions several times during breastfeeding unless you have sore nipples.
12. Constantly improve for the sake of enhancing the infant’s latch.
