Breast massage to stimulate breast feeding

[AliGrylls]

My MW told me to start massaging my breasts a couple of weeks ago (when I was 30 weeks). Apparently doing so makes breast feeding easier after the pregnancy as the milk flows more easily. However, we were discussing breast feeding in ante-natal class the other day and everyone looked at me as if I was a nutter when I told them what mw had said. Checked it out on internet but there is very little info about it and the only website I found said that it could cause premature labour because massaging breasts stimulates production of oxytocin. Could anyone shed any light?

Umm, never heard that one Ali. Nipple stimulation is one thing recommended if you're overdue, to bring on labour, and yes it can stimulate contractions and help speed things up once you're in labour. Not sure if the same would happen at 30 weeks.

Have to admit I can't see how massage would help with feeding in the future. It can help your 'let down' happen quicker once you're already feeding, but only once babe is already latched and sucking or you're expressing. Different women naturally have different 'flows' - some Mums I've come across have a very fast, and strong, flow, some not. It's not an indicator as to how easy breastfeeding will be, although it might influence how long your babe takes to have her fill!

I'm sure someone else will be along to plug the gaps in my knowledge.

No evidence at all for this, and does not make sense, either.... at the midwife spreading misinfo like this.

It will not do any harm, either, though.