Hi All,

 

This technique is one I learned from my instructor for one of my clients who
was having a difficult time with milk supply and let down.  It is a type of
lymphatic drainage technique - the mom can do it on herself.  :-)

 

Mom lies down (this seems the easiest way for her to do this) or reclines.
Right hand works on the left breast, left hand on the right (or if she can
do it, right on right, left on left).  First she makes a flat hand and
places her thumb and index finger at the top of the breast on the chest wall
(the other fingers are up in the air) - as if going to cup the breast with
the palm of her hand - but she doesn't cup it really.  Then she gently
pushes the breast tissue down (moving it out of the way, so to speak) until
her hand is now where the nipple would normally be - then she presses her
hand, gently, straight into the chest wall then moves her hand in toward the
center of her chest - a straight line towards the other breast - then takes
her hand off the breast.  Next she places her hand in the same starting
position as before but this time under the breast - the back of her hand
will now be on the underside of the breast - not her palm- she moves the
breast UP (out of the way) - again to the where the nipple would normally
be.  Then she presses her hand gently into the chest wall and pushes her
hand straight across the chest wall towards her side - away from the other
breast.  "Top In" - "Bottom "Out".  She can repeat this as often as needed.
The Bowen practitioner can do this for the mother - but then they need to
use both hands on top and bottom to avoid cupping the breast - you know -
that old 'touch' thing that makes people nervous - so the hand with the
thumb and index finger in the correct position would be covered by the palm
of the other hand with the back of the hand pushing the breast where it
needs to go (up or down) and the hand in the correct position would do the
"In" or "Out" moves.  As an LC I already have permission to 'touch' the
breast simply based on what I am already doing anyway.so I have more leeway.
I prefer to teach mom herself so she can be more involved in the process.
As a lymphatic drainage technique it is also helpful (I am told - haven't
tried it yet) for engorgement.

 

Hope this makes sense - it is a really interesting thing to learn.

 

Jaye Simpson, IBCLC, CIIM

Breastfeeding Network

Sacramento, CA

www.breastfeedingnetwork.net

 


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