In the article we will talk in detail about how to properly pull the chest, because this information will be especially useful for young mothers. Health is something that everyone needs to follow, because it is given once and for a lifetime.
What is a tug of war?
An integral part of growing up a child is the moment when the baby ceases to need breast milk and passes on to other foods. In this case, the most appropriate method of stopping lactation of breast milk is to pull the breast. The method, which proved to be effective in the period of refusal to feed children in this way, became popular only during the Soviet era.
To use it or not is the choice of every woman, in which you need to weigh all the pros and cons.
Important note: before using this method, it is necessary to consult a specialist, after which he will say whether it is possible to pull the chest. He will also help to figure out the correct tug-of-war technique, in other words, to become familiar with how to do this without harm to health.
Why is tugging necessary?
There are several reasons why pulling is recommended. Mammologists say the following list, in which cases it is necessary to pull the chest:
- Infectious diseases such as AIDS, infectious mastitis, infections of the gastrointestinal tract, and the use of potent drugs are the reasons for the compulsory cessation of breastfeeding. Otherwise, the baby can also earn health problems. However, acute viral diseases, intestinal infection, inflammatory processes of the birth canal and some other diseases do not entail the need to refuse feeding.
- You can pull the breast if the child is older than 1 year, and the mother considers it necessary to stop breastfeeding. For children up to 12 months, milk is necessary for the formation of a healthy immune system, as well as for full physical growth and psychological development.
However, do you need to pull the chest to stop feeding? According to mammologists, this procedure is not entirely beneficial for breast health, it does not reduce it and does not affect the amount of milk produced. However, as practice shows, the effectiveness of tug of war is very high, since it blocks the channels through which milk enters, thereby reducing its amount.
Pull technique
Let us dwell on one of the main questions: how to properly pull the chest.
The highlight is its complete fixation. For this, a thin cotton cloth that can tightly fit the chest is best suited, you can also use a regular sheet or towel.
You need to start pulling immediately after direct feeding (the breast should be "empty"). The tissue must completely cover the chest area, and then tie a knot in the area of the shoulder blades. Focus on your sensations: you should drag with tangible strength, but not up to pain. It is recommended to wear a bandage at night and several hours in the afternoon.
Useful Tips
As in another area, there are also subtleties here that we are obliged to tell you about:
- To relieve tension and pain, it is recommended to do a light massage of the chest. To do this, use a variety of oils.
- Tug of chest in many cases entails discomfort. However, bathing with optimal temperature can give a relaxing effect to stressed tissues.
- Reducing the intake of fluids will help reduce the amount of milk produced, thereby increasing the speed of refusal of breastfeeding.
What is important to know
If the refusal of breastfeeding is not caused by diseases, it is necessary to wean the baby gradually. A decrease in the amount of feeding will result in a decrease in the amount of milk. An ideal option is a single feeding until the feeling of "lightness in the chest." Also, when transferring the baby to the mixture, it is necessary to make sure that there is no allergy or any other negative effects.
Be sure to express the accumulated milk. Otherwise, there is a high probability of mastitis. It is recommended to express milk not completely, but only until the appearance of "lightness". If there are solid formations in the chest, “break” them yourself.
Using a breast pump is not the best option, on the recommendation of doctors, it should be expressed by hand. Before starting the procedure, you need to do a light massage of the breast.
Advantages and disadvantages
Like any other method, pulling the chest has its pros and cons.
Advantages:
- The method is very effective, as it blocks the channels through which milk enters.
- The female breast consists of adipose and glandular tissue, which, in turn, is divided into parts. It is they who produce milk. Thus, by pulling the breast, the woman blocks “parts” of the glandular tissue, thereby reducing the amount of produced breast milk.
- Natural interruption of feeding takes a large amount of time, since milk is produced in the same amount as during feeding. Tug of breasts also allows you to quickly stop lactation.
However, the method entails all sorts of unpleasant consequences. An important note: with a clear understanding of how to tighten the chest, the negative effects are minimized.
Disadvantages:
- A chest made up of soft tissue can easily be injured by excessive fixation and tension.
- Stagnant, not expressed milk can cause the formation of infectious mastitis, which at an early stage takes the form of lactostasis. If "lumps" are found in the chest area, it is necessary to break them manually, as well as knead throughout the day.
- With excessive pressure, pain and discomfort are likely, which is most likely when refusing expressing milk.
How else can you reduce lactation?
There are several folk remedies that help to enhance the effect during the period of refusal of breastfeeding, among them:
- Use of cabbage leaf. It must be applied to the chest, thereby reducing discomfort and pain.
- Sage and peppermint tinctures will also help reduce lactation.
- Reducing the intake of fluid will help reduce the amount of milk.
Finally
Whether it is necessary to pull the chest, each mother decides for herself. The effectiveness of the method is confirmed by good reviews, however, the number of negative consequences is great. It must be remembered that when making a decision, consultation with a specialist and a clear understanding of how to pull the chest are mandatory.
During the period of refusal from feeding, special attention should be paid to the baby, because for him it is a great physical and emotional stress. The child should be weaned gradually, carefully observing his reaction and the state of the body.