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Compression Demonstration

Home > Breastfeeding Home > Common Concerns > Compression Demonstration

1 – Image of a baby latched on a breast while a woman hold the top of her breast with one hand and supports of the neck of the baby with the other hand.

Once your baby is sucking, but no longer drinking milk, you can start breast compression. Hold a good amount of your breast in one hand with the thumb on one side and your other fingers on the opposite side of the breast.

2 – Image of a baby latched on a breast and suckling while a woman compresses her breast with one hand and supports of the neck of the baby with the other hand.

Compress the breast by bringing your thumb and fingers together. This should be done firmly, but not so that it hurts. If the baby starts to drink again, keep up the pressure. When the baby stops drinking and is only nibbling, release the pressure to allow the milk to start flowing again. If the baby does not start to drink, try compression again.

Content last updated February 27, 2009.