by Jack Newman, MD, FRCPC
The purpose of breast compression is to continue the flow of milk to the baby once the
baby no longer drinks (open-pause-close type of suck) on his own. Breast
compression simulates a letdown reflex and often stimulates a natural letdown reflex to
occur. The technique may be useful for:
Poor weight gain in the baby
Colic in the breastfed baby
Frequent feedings and/or long feedings
Sore nipples in the mother
Recurrent blocked ducts and/or mastitis
Encouraging the baby who falls asleep quickly to continue drinking
Breast compression is not necessary if everything is going well. When all is going
well, the mother should allow the baby to “finish” feeding on the first side
and, if the baby wants more, should offer the other side. How do you know the baby is
finished? When he no longer drinks at the breast (open-pause-close type
of suck).
It may be useful to know that:
A baby who is well latched on gets milk more easily than one who is not. A baby who is
poorly latched on can get milk only when the flow of milk is rapid. Thus, many mothers and
babies do well with breastfeeding in spite of a poor latch, because most mothers
produce an abundance of milk.
In the first 3-6 weeks of life, babies fall asleep at the breast when the flow of milk
is slow, not necessarily when they have had enough to eat. After this age, they may
start to pull away at the breast when the flow of milk slows down.
Unfortunately many babies are latching on poorly. If the mother’s supply is
abundant the baby often does well as far as weight gain is concerned, but the mother may
pay a price-sore nipples, a “colicky” baby, a baby who is constantly on the
breast (but feeding only a small part of the time).
Breast compression continues the flow of milk once the baby starts falling asleep at
the breast and results in the baby:
Getting more milk.
Getting more milk that is high in fat.
