It’s well known about the number of health benefits associated with breastfeeding for both mother and infant. As experienced pelvic health physiotherapist, Melinda Cooper says “Breastfeeding is the most cost effective, disease preventing and health promoting activity a mother and baby can do”. Some of these health benefits include:
- Improves health, supports development and helps build stronger immune systems in infants
- Lowers risk of infant mortality or sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
- Lowers illness and hospitalisation, and results in six times less absenteeism from work in parents overall
- Reduces risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis, hypertension, heart disease, multiple sclerosis, breast and ovarian cancer, endometriosis, diabetes, gastro-intestinal issues, infections and osteoporosis later on in life
- Helps mothers achieve weight loss after birth, burning approximately 500 calories a day
- Stimulates uterus contraction to return to normal size after birth
- Reduces postpartum bleeding and occurrence of UTI’s
- Reduces likelihood of anaemia
- Improves mood by producing good feeling hormones to reduce stress and risk of experiencing postpartum depression
- Helps mothers create a bond with their baby
The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommend exclusively breastfeeding your infant for at least the first six months of life but encourage up to 2 years and beyond if able. However, rates show during the first 6 months that 1 in every 3 mothers cease due to pain, infection or extreme difficulty with breastfeeding.
Some mothers may experience difficulty with breastfeeding due to what we call inflammatory conditions of the lactating breast (ICLB), of which include engorgement, milk blebs/spots, “blocked” milk ducts and mastitis. Symptoms of blocked ducts and mastitis can be disabling for mothers, causing both physical and systemic symptoms as listed below:
Physical Symptoms:
- Pain
- Tenderness
- Temperate changes – warm to touch/hot
- Colouration changes – redness
Systemic symptoms:
- Fever
- Fatigue/lethargy
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Hot sweats and/or cold chills
Symptoms can come on very rapidly and if experiencing mastitis, can often be similar or worse than the flu, therefore it is important to seek treatment as soon as you feel unwell. Fortunately, physiotherapy can help treat ICLB and aims to provide quick relief by reducing inflammation and milk statis to help mothers continue feeding more comfortably.
Treatment
We use therapeutic ultrasound which is like a type of micro massage deep into the tissues which helps reduce inflammation and milk statis and aid recovery. For this to be effective, we recommend x3-4 sessions over consecutive days as mastitis is has a high recurrence rate within the first 7-14 days of treatment if not reached full resolution. Therefore, it’s important to follow the treatment plan, advice given and entire course of antibiotics (if prescribed) to reduce the risk of recurrence. We will also utilise massage techniques and provide you with education/advice on things you can do at home to help you recover quickly and help prevent recurring episodes. These may include things such as:
- Apply superficial hot and cold packs. Heat prior to feeding and cold packs post feed to reduce swelling, inflammation and pain. Check out our stock of SRC breast feeding pads in clinic which can be both cooled and heated and are ideal for breastfeeding mums.
- Rest – especially if suffering from mastitis as this is the number 1 thing you can do to get back on your feet. It’s important your body has time to recover and replenish. This is a great time to call the parents or in-laws for baby minding.
- Implement good breastfeeding positions to assist with milk flow and infant latching – this will be advised by your physiotherapist in session. We can also refer you to a lactating consultant if required.
- GENTLE self-massage – depending on the location of your symptoms, your physiotherapist will guide you on how to do this for optimal effect as it may help trigger a letdown response. It’s often thought that you need to do really firm massage into the area but this is NOT correct. In fact, this can actually cause more damage as the tissues and duct system of the lactating breast are extremely extensible and fragile.
- Feed or express from the affected breast first if able.
- Wear loose fitting bra’s and clothing as due to the inflammation and sensitivity of the breast tissues, these may irritate and exacerbate symptoms.
- Keep hydration up and make sure you are drinking plenty of water
- Do not go long periods without feeding or expressing and try stick to your usual feeding routine. NOTE: If you have a blocked duct or mastitis, do not try weaning as you need to continue to remove milk from your breasts in order to reduce risk of a breast abscess forming.
- Antibiotics are not necessary for a blocked duct, however if you are unable to relieve symptoms within 24 hours or develop a fever, consult with your GP as antibiotics are often prescribed with almost instantaneous effect in systemic symptoms (mastitis).
Now all the wonderful health benefits associated with breastfeeding as listed above are great yes, but what we don’t always understand is that for some… it’s tough. And when I say tough, I mean it’s tough both physically and mentally. It can be excruciatingly painful and exhausting for some woman. Not only that, it can also be incredibly disheartening for new mums. Especially as society deems this a beautiful act between mother and baby, with this emphasised by glamourous social media posts. But, if you are having difficulty, persevering with no luck and feel like you are failing, know that you are not alone and that it is certainly no reflection on you. Most importantly do not feel as if you have failed as a mother or that you are depriving your baby. Instead know that you are doing and trying your absolute best as a mother to provide the best care to your baby and in our eyes that makes you mum #1. The best care for your child includes looking after and protecting your own well-being, both physical and mental. You can’t pour from an empty cup. If breastfeeding is causing you more pain and suffering, than it’s absolutely okay to source alternative options. We often see women present to us beating themselves up about the fact they are having difficulty with feeding and often feel guilted by society and this makes us incredibly sad. Whilst yes, the benefits of breastfeeding for both mother and baby are huge, that should not come at the cost of the mothers well-being, comfort and happiness. Formula is created for a reason and it’s a resource you absolutely can fall on if you are not successful and it’s causing more pain than good… and that is OKAY! You’re not failing, you’re doing what’s best for both you and the little one you are caring for.
At pivotal we understand. We understand YOU beyond just your body, physiology and anatomy. We address the person and human behind the body which we believe is our point of difference. For all you new mums, come see us at Pivotal. Our incredible team will listen, hear and help you in whatever way we can. We provide a safe, inclusive environment for all. We can educate and provide advice on ways that may make feeding more comfortable. But, most importantly if you are experiencing discomfort due to engorgement, “blocked” milk ducts, milk blebs or mastitis we can provide treatment for quick relief.
~ Sophie Alderslade, Physiotherapist
References
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