New mothers suffering the effects of blocked milk ducts can now turn to a new hand-held massager to ease the condition which, if left untreated, can lead to mastitis.
The La Vie Lactation Massager, which comes in mother-friendly pink or purple, is understood to be a hit among new mothers in the United States, since its launch last month.
According to Milkbar Breastpumps founder Diana Swadling, whose company distributes the product in Australia, demand is running hot for the lactation massager, which she says promises relief from many symptoms associated with clogged milk ducts.
Milkbar Breastpumps founder Diana Swadling (pictured) demand is running hot for the massager, which she says offers relief from the symptoms associated with clogged milk ducts
The La Vie Lactation massager, which comes in mother-friendly pink or purple, is a hit among new mothers in the United States, since its launch last month
‘I have spoken to so many mums who find it difficult to express or have recurrent blocked ducts, painful engorgement, or mastitis and this milk expression tool can help relieve those symptoms so that mums can have a better breastfeeding experience,’ said Ms. Swadling.
She explained the two-speed waterproof massager, which has been created from medical-grade silicone, directly targets painful blockages, and breaks them down through gentle vibrations.
According to Milkbar Breastpumps founder Diana Swadling the device can help relieve painful symptoms associated with blocked milk ducts
Ms. Swadling also claims the lactation device can function as a way to help improve and restore milk flow as well as reduce breast engorgement.
Speaking to FEMAIL, Dr. Brad McKay, a Sydney-based GP, said the device could provide some benefit in unblocking milk ducts.
‘The vast majority of success would be from using gentle massage from using your own hand,’ Dr McKay said.
‘Theoretically, there may be a little more success from using a vibration device like this but it’s likely to only give you a little bit of an extra boost.’
Ms. Swadling also claims the lactation device can function as a way to help improve and restore milk flow as well as reduce breast engorgement
Mothers who have used the product are hailing it as a godsend.
‘It allowed me to pump more efficiently at work than I have been able to in the past. Goodbye looking for baby photos and video to achieve that letdown!’ said the mother who is currently feeding a nine-month-old,’ said Cheryl Ou Yong.
Mother-of-two Alana Whelan said: ‘I have also had a small blocked duct for a couple of days that I have been working on. After using the massager my breast was very soft and felt as though it had drained a lot better.’
While mum-of-one Alysha Bishop noted how comfortable the product was to use to reduce clogged ducts, writing, ‘[It was] much less uncomfortable than firm pressure and self-massage because you can target specific spots really well.’