How Can Massage Therapy Can Help Breastfeeding Mothers

August is National Breastfeeding Awareness Month. We are celebrating with mothers everywhere the beauty and benefits of breast feeding your new child. Of course, part of awareness is also acknowledging the challenges and solutions associated with breastfeeding your baby.

Breastfeeding is a wonderful way to boost the bond and immune system benefits shared between mother and child. However, you may notice after just a few weeks that breastfeeding also comes with surprising new aches and pains. Holding your baby, curling forward to make eye contact, and the posture you assume during breastfeeding all play a role. The simple fact is that breastfeeding, while beautiful, can take a toll on your musculoskeletal system.

The good news is that there are several ways to ease these aches and get back to physical comfort, strength, and balance. For many new mothers, receiving regular massage therapy while breastfeeding is a game-changer.

The Physical Challenges of Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding typically comes with more than a few sources of pain and discomfort that accumulate over time. The two biggest challenges are the effort of holding your baby and the posture you use while breastfeeding. If you always breastfeed in one or two postures, any stress created by those positions will build up into tension and pain.

Breastfeeding mothers often experience:

• Neck pain and back pain from hunching and carrying
• Shoulder and arm pain from supporting your infant
• Chest pain from heavier breasts
• Headaches from posture tension
• Thumb pain as a side effect of supporting your baby.

Benefits of Massage Therapy for Breastfeeding Pain

If you experience pain during or after breastfeeding, massage can help. Newborns often breastfeed up to 3 total hours a day. That's a long time in your breastfeeding position as muscles tighten and knot. A little stretching and new postures can help, but the tension that's already built up should also be released. That is where massage can really help.

Professional massage therapy on your neck, shoulders, back, and arms can help relieve the tension accumulated during breastfeeding. You will feel your body letting go of the need to hunch over as your muscles loosen and the knots are worked out. Tension headaches can be relieved and long-term aches can fade away with the help of a skilled massage therapist.

Massages Keep Your Body Happy During Breastfeeding

The effort involved in breastfeeding is no small feat. A mother may look reclined, but breastfeeding can be a lot of work for your arms, shoulders, neck, and back. No matter what posture you select, the hours each day of breastfeeding are a form of static exercise. Massage can help you keep up your routine comfortably and help you achieve the best possible support posture while breastfeeding your child.
Breastfeeding often takes 6-18 months for each child, and many mothers have their next child not long after they stop breastfeeding the one before. Regular massage can help you maintain your physical best for each year you have a baby to nurture.


How to Reduce Breastfeeding Pain and Build Strength

Breastfeeding pain is a signal that your body is ready to get on the road to recovery after giving birth. Often, mothers find that a combination of posture, support, exercise, and massage are the key to easing pain not just during (or because of) breastfeeding, but also feeling stronger overall after having a baby.

Making Breast Feeding More Comfortable
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• Practice body awareness while breastfeeding and identify sources of tension
• Experiment with different breastfeeding positions and postures
• Use props for better support and relaxation while you breastfeed
• Invest in a few very supportive nursing bras
• Try various furniture
• Use a sling to help support the baby

Easing the Aches and Pains of Breastfeeding

• Stretch out before and after breastfeeding sessions
• Resume light aerobic exercise
• Build arm and shoulder strength for baby lifting
• Build core muscles for support and good posture
• Get a massage to loosen tight muscles and knots

Massage Therapy for Breastfeeding Mothers in Jacksonville, FL​

If you are a mother experiencing aches and pains from breastfeeding, relaxation and comfort are just a massage away. The Wellness Hub in Jacksonville, FL would be honored to help you work out those knots and tense muscles that come from holding and breastfeeding your infant. Breastfeeding is hard work, and we're here to make it a little easier. Contact us today or stop by to meet with our massage therapists and find the tension relief you need to breastfeed in comfort.

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We are pleased to serve the following Florida communities with massage therapy, chiropractic, organic skincare, acupuncture, red light therapy and more: Jacksonville, Orange Park, Fleming Island, Mandarin, Jacksonville Beach, Nocatee, St Johns, Ponte Vedra and more.

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