surely this hooey?

[LionsnTigersnBears]

Hi everyone,

I've just been told that I cannot have a massage at a spa because I'm breastfeeding. Apparently the oils they use might be absorbed by the skin and turn up in breastmilk. This strikes me as the biggest load of wallop, and I'm quite upset as a friend bought be the spa pass and vouchers as a treat and they are only valid until christmas. If I bf until my dd is only 6 months old, they would still be out of date. Has anyone encountered this anywhere else?

Possibly if it is aromatherapy, but an aromatherapist can use weaker dilutions of safe oils.

For normal massage though, they usually use a base oil like sweet almond, which is safe, I was told by my MW to use it on my newborn's scaley bits.

I would ask what oils it is and if they can be substituted for something milder. Otherwise, can you use your pass for a mani-pedi or a facial or something instead?

I've had a few at Molton Brown since the arrival of DS - I told them I was BF and other than asking if I was ok to lie on my front had no problems! Do they have a head office you could check with?

Thanks Porcelain and LaTristesse,

I thought it sounded hokey but was a bit flabbergasted to be told I couldn't have the treatment as I'm bf'ing. I need a massage because I'm bf'ing in my view! Unfortunately they're a local company and have no head office or I would complain.They did suggest I could express milk and then not bf for 24 hours afterwards It would have to be a hell of a treatment to make it worthwhile expressing 24 hours worth of milk beforehand! It does kind of sour me on the place. Perhaps my friend can get her money back.

Who were you talking to? Was it a receptionist or the actual massage therapist? I'd ask to speak to one of the therapists if it wasn't and make a big song and dance about not being able to use the voucher otherwise...

Well they will not know if you are going to express milk and bottle feed afterwards...

Doesn't sound right, esp if mild oils used, why not email BFN and ask - they were very helpful when I asked about a medication I was taking.

Oh yes, do that. Just find out from a reliable source what oils to avoid and then tell the therapist you want to avoid those (make up any rubbishy reason you want) and pretend you will express.

I'd just go, and tell them you are going to pump and dump the milk, and the not. I can't think of a single reason they wouldn't recommend it. It sounds as though they are being incredibly over-cautious (frightened of being sued?) to me.

Thanks all. Will check with BFN, that's a great idea. Bertie you're probably right, they're just being mad overcautious. I'm just disappointed. The idea of a long massage has been keeping me going during those long night time feeds when my back's killing me and the dd is feeding, snoozing, feeding, and snooooooooooozing. To have it ripped from my grasping paws at the last moment is just :( Just gotta be philosophical I suppose :)

I think they're being ridiculous. I know a lot of places refuse to do most treatments on pregnant women too, when all it means is that they can't be bothered to sort the ifnormation/training they need to do it no problem.