In plain words
Reverse pressure softening is a hand technique used when the breast or nipple is swollen and firm, often from . The person presses gently and steadily on the , the dark skin around the nipple, for a short time, so that fluid moves back into the tissue behind it. The nipple then becomes easier for a baby to latch onto. Many lactation consultants teach it, and many mothers report that it helps. It works best when the breast is full and firm, and it does not replace feeding or milk removal. If the breast is red, hot, or painful with fever or chills, that is a call to your provider today.
The deeper version
Reverse pressure softening is a manual technique in which sustained pressure on the areola, applied with the fingers around the base of the nipple, is thought to shift interstitial and edematous fluid posteriorly, reducing areolar edema and nipple protrusion for latch. Cotterman (2004, Journal of Human Lactation) describes it as a clinical softening method. It is a clinical description without controlled trials, and its effect on milk removal or breastfeeding duration has not been directly measured. The mechanism is inferred from fluid dynamics and clinical observation. The controversy concerns whether the technique changes outcomes beyond the immediate latch, and how it compares with cold packs, massage, and , which are used in similar situations.
Where it comes up
- Engorgement when milk comes inPostpartum: Your Body
- Hand expression and collecting colostrum before birthFeeding Your Baby
- Getting a deep latchFeeding Your Baby
- When your milk comes inFeeding Your Baby
What mothers here say about reverse pressure softening
No one has posted under this term yet.
Sources
- Cotterman KJ — Reverse pressure softening: a simple tool to prepare areola for easier latching during engorgement. Journal of Human Lactation (2004)
- Lawrence RA, Lawrence RM — Breastfeeding: A Guide for the Medical Profession, 8th edition (2016)