What is a Breast Massager?
We’ll start by explaining what exactly a breast massager is – and that will go a long way to explaining why you might choose to use one. They are small, handheld devices that help with a range of breastfeeding issues, primarily milk flow and clogged ducts. Haakaa has two different breast massagers to choose from – and we’ll get more into the specifics about them soon – each of which has an external, shell-shaped silicone covering, making each of them gloriously soft on your skin. When you’re dealing with those early days and weeks of breastfeeding and the tenderness that can come with it, that’s just what you need.
How Do They Work?
Breast massagers work by vibrating gently, though that’s not all. The shape of the massager plays a vital role. Haakaa’s versions both feature a broad surface and a tapered, pointed one. Each of these serves a different purpose; the broad edge is excellent for general discomfort and encouraging let-down and milk flow. The pointed end is great for helping break down blockages in your ducts (and don’t worry, it’s a very rounded, gentle point, not a sharp one). There are different vibration modes as well – the standard massager has seven, while the warming one has five, so there are plenty of options available to you. Breast massage can also help with better milk drainage while breastfeeding, which can itself prevent clogged ducts.
Our massagers are rechargeable and come with a USB charging cable, so you don’t need to worry about hunting for batteries—just plug it in, and when it’s charged, use it wherever you need to!
Why Should I Use a Breast Massager?
As alluded to above, there are a host of reasons to use a breast massager. First and foremost, mums who struggle with clogged ducts can find a good massager to be a lifesaver. And because the Haakaa massagers are silicone, they’re waterproof. That means you can use them in the shower or bath and use the warm water to help increase the effectiveness of the massage.
That’s not all, though. You may find your breasts need a little bit of help starting that let-down reflex when you’re feeding. That’s when the broad edge comes in handy, as it helps move the milk through your breasts. Not only can keeping the flow clear help encourage let-down and prevent blockages, but it can also help reduce the risk of developing mastitis.
How to Use a Breast Massager
The Haakaa Breast Massager is incredibly easy to use, regardless of which version you have. The standard version has seven vibration settings; try each to see which ones are more effective for different uses. The long, straight edge is ideal for general discomfort; gently press it into the affected area. The ridged edge, on the other hand, is great to help stimulate your milk flow. In order to do this, simply press this side of the massager against the outside of your breast and move it towards your nipple. This will encourage your let-down, improve the flow of your milk, and assist with proper drainage while breastfeeding. In contrast, the pointed end is useful for dealing with clogged ducts, as it can be pressed more accurately into the area of the blockage, helping to release it (which also helps prevent mastitis!).
Our other option is our Warming Breast Massager. In addition to five vibration settings, this massager has two heat settings. The heat and vibration can be set independently of one another, so you have a lot of customisation available to you, choosing the temperature and pattern that best suits your needs.
As you can see, using a breast massager is an easy way to deal with some of the issues that commonly affect breastfeeding mums. Dealing with discomfort, improving milk flow and unblocking clogged ducts are just a few of the benefits of having one of these devices to hand. If you have other issues, or if the massager is unable to ease these ones, it’s always a good idea to see a medical professional or lactation consultant.