Anti-cellulite massage contraindications breastfeeding

Anti-cellulite massage during breastfeeding is a double-edged sword. After the birth of a child, you want to quickly restore your previous shape, increase muscle tone and improve the quality of your skin. Sometimes medical procedures are necessary. And the right massage is just what the doctor ordered. But during lactation it is not always safe. For example, doctors do not advise nursing mothers to use professional methods of combating cellulite, but advise them to use safe and low-traumatic techniques. Let's figure out what is possible with breastfeeding and what is not.

Allowed types of massage for breastfeeding

You can massage while breastfeeding, but with some restrictions. Up to 3 (ideally up to 6) months it is better to do without it completely. At this time, mature, stable lactation is established, and the baby is sensitive to any changes in the mother’s condition.

Permitted types:

Face and neck massage. The procedure will not harm lactation. You should not use strong-smelling oils: they penetrate into the blood in small quantities and then into the milk. Otherwise the massage is safe.
Therapeutic back massage. The back of pregnant and lactating women is very vulnerable due to weight fluctuations and hormonal changes. Carrying a stroller is also not good for your back. Therefore, for a mother, a neck and back massage is not a luxury, but a necessity. If the procedure is very painful, it causes the release of cortisol, a stress hormone, and can inhibit lactation. Therefore, the massage should be as gentle as possible. If it doesn't hurt, do it anyway. The child needs a living, healthy and active mother.
A general relaxing massage while breastfeeding is a good way to have fun, take your mind off everyday problems and be alone with yourself. Most often, during lactation, mothers need a massage of the cervical-collar area and back, since a large load is placed on these parts of the spine. Light massaging movements and stroking relax muscles, improve blood circulation, and stimulate the production of the joy hormone. Gentle therapeutic massage is permitted. Just exclude aromatic oils, they cause allergies.

Why cellulite appears after childbirth

The process of bearing and giving birth to a child is associated with serious changes in a woman’s body. From the first days after conception, a special hormonal background is established. Progesterone helps maintain pregnancy, relaxes muscles and accumulates fluid in the body. Estrogens increase the volume of subcutaneous fat. By mid-term, women notice not only weight gain, but also swelling. The condition is aggravated by a sedentary lifestyle, poor nutrition, and a discrepancy between the rhythm of life and the biological clock.

Why do you need to rest for so long after giving birth?

Mother in labor needs rest

As you know, a woman is even given sick leave for 126 days, starting from 30 weeks of pregnancy. That is, it is assumed that even if the expectant mother is not going to go on maternity leave, she will be on sick leave for some time after giving birth. This is reasonable and absolutely normal: despite all its physiology, childbirth is stressful for the body, and it needs recovery.

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In today's medical practice, it is generally accepted that approximately 1-1.5 months after childbirth is a time of calm for a woman. There is no need to rush to workouts, fitness, massages, etc. all these days. If you eat right, follow a drinking regime, and start going for walks with your baby, the excess weight will gradually go away. And only a month and a half after giving birth, the young mother became so strong that she could begin intense physical education, training, etc.

Of course, this whole process is individual - some will feel in shape much earlier (although the sensations may be subjective), while for others a month and a half will not be enough to recover. This is normal if you listen to your body, don’t force things, rely on your intuition and do everything with caution.

If you gave birth not naturally, but through a cesarean section, it will take longer to recover - about 2-2.5 months. Again, everything is individual: an important indicator in this case will be the condition of the seam. The doctor who monitors your condition after childbirth should give you the go-ahead for massage and training.

Is it possible to do anti-cellulite massage during breastfeeding?

Doctors do not recommend body modeling techniques during lactation. Anti-cellulite massage negatively affects the functioning of the mammary gland, as it causes discomfort, pain in a woman and stimulates the production of stress hormones.

If a woman is determined to get rid of the “orange peel” on her body, then she must choose a gentle massage and take precautions. It is important to remember that toxins are eliminated through body fluids - including breast milk.

Manual

Manual anti-cellulite massage for a nursing mother is cheaper than a hardware one. This technique is considered more common and accessible. It is manual massage that women choose most often.

The masseur performs all movements with his hands. First, the body is kneaded and warmed up. Then they move on to treating cellulite deposits. With his hands, the massage therapist “breaks” the uneven subcutaneous relief, as a result of which metabolic processes are accelerated and the elimination of toxins begins.

It is not recommended to do anti-cellulite massage while breastfeeding, for two reasons:

During the procedure, the woman experiences discomfort and even pain. This stimulates the production of stress hormones - adrenaline and cortisol. As a result, the secretion of prolactin, which is responsible for lactation, decreases. Anti-cellulite massage can lead to a decrease in milk volume.
Anti-cellulite massage and self-massage is aimed at eliminating the “orange peel”. When deposits are broken down, toxins are released. They enter the bloodstream and lymph flow, then are removed from the body. During lactation, toxins also penetrate into breast milk and reach the baby. The mother gives the harmful substances that have accumulated for years in the subcutaneous fat to her baby after the massage.

Hardware

Hardware anti-cellulite massage and breastfeeding are incompatible. During hardware massage, a vacuum massager is used. An individual program is pre-selected - suction strength, duration of treatment of one area and the total duration of the procedure.

Manual massage, unlike hardware massage, allows you to control the force of pressure. If necessary, the massage therapist reduces the intensity of the mechanical impact or avoids certain areas. During the massage, the device treats all areas of the skin with equal force. This technique is considered more effective, but at the same time unsafe. It is not recommended to do hardware anti-cellulite massage during breastfeeding. However, some massage therapists offer the service despite breastfeeding. It is worth avoiding such salons, since the procedure can harm breastfeeding and negatively affect the child’s health.

Precautionary measures

It is contraindicated to do anti-cellulite massage if:

vascular diseases;
tumors in the breast;
any acute diseases;
skin pathologies;
rehabilitation in the postoperative period.

During breastfeeding, you should avoid anti-cellulite massage, especially in the first months. It is recommended to start working on your figure no earlier than 6 months after giving birth. By the end of the first year of lactation, safe techniques for combating orange peel can be considered.

If you do decide to undergo the procedure, follow these precautions:

Before the massage, you need to empty the mammary glands. It is recommended to feed the baby so that excess milk in the breast does not distract from the procedure.
Use comfortable positions - lying on your side, sitting on a chair or lying on your back. In this position there will be no pressure on the mammary glands.
The procedure should not last more than half an hour. Otherwise, the woman will experience discomfort in the mammary glands.
During massage you should use safe creams and oils. It is better to give preference to children's products that are used for a child.
Between sessions you need to take a break of 1-2 days. This will improve the results of the course and eliminate the appearance of hematomas on the body.

The fight against orange peel on all fronts

Nursing mothers can fight cellulite at home. To have a good figure, you don’t have to visit salons and endure painful massages. In the fight against “orange peel”, the main thing is not to go too far and not act to your detriment. To help you get back into good shape after childbirth:

wraps;
healthy eating;
mode for;
physical activity;
auxiliary means.

Many women believe that if you feed your baby for a long time, you can gain a lot of weight. However, in practice everything is different. The female body spends a lot of calories on milk production (from 400 to 1000 kcal, depending on individual characteristics, the age of the child, and his needs). Therefore, many women quickly lose excess weight after childbirth. All that remains is to tighten the body, but this can be done without anti-cellulite massage.

Bath mitten

The bath mitten can be used in the shower. Skin care accessories are made from different materials. The massager fits comfortably in the palm of your hand and allows you to control the force of pressure - stroking, light movements or intense rubbing.

The bath mitten removes dead epidermal cells, stimulates blood circulation, and makes the skin soft and pleasant to the touch. Acceleration of metabolic processes in cells stimulates the gentle and safe breakdown of subcutaneous fat deposits.

Wraps

Honey is a good helper in the fight against cellulite. Honey wraps help remove toxins from the skin not into the blood, but out. Do not use hot masks or substances with an unknown composition for wrapping. It is important to remember that part of the substance penetrates the skin and enters the body. Even if this dose is insignificant, it can affect the child.

It is better to start wraps with 10-15 minutes, gradually increasing the time to half an hour. It is not recommended to wrap yourself in film for an hour or more, since by this time harmful substances begin to be absorbed back.

If the wrap is done on the abdominal area, the exposure time should not exceed 20 minutes.

Water treatments

You can improve skin tone with a contrast shower. Alternating exposure to cold and warm water stimulates blood flow, has a beneficial effect on the condition of blood vessels, accelerates cell renewal and relieves swelling. A contrast shower not only makes it easier to fight cellulite, but also energizes you. Water morning procedures improve mood, awaken, eliminate drowsiness and give strength.

Diet

There is a stereotype that a nursing mother needs to feed for two. Following this slogan, you can fight cellulite and excess weight for a long time and to no avail.

The diet of a nursing woman should be varied and healthy. There is no need to go on a strict diet if the child does not suffer from allergies. You can afford any healthy food in reasonable quantities. A woman’s daily diet should contain proteins, complex carbohydrates, healthy fats, and fiber. During breastfeeding, food becomes the main source of vitamins and micronutrients. It also helps to get rid of extra pounds and tighten muscles.

Exercises

In the first month after giving birth, doctors usually recommend refraining from exercise. If the birth took place without complications, then from the second month you can return to sports. Strength training is not necessary yet. To restore the body after pregnancy and childbirth, yoga, bodyflex, swimming, cycling, and walking are suitable.

You can perform daily five-minute exercises. Warming up will help avoid back and neck pain, which often bothers women during lactation.

If you wish, you can join the gym. It is important that training is not painful. Sports activities will only benefit a nursing mother if she enjoys them.

An alternative to anti-cellulite massage during breastfeeding

There's no point in giving up. Just accept the fact that postpartum recovery on Instagram only lasts a month for some stars. The figure of these beauties (carefully processed in special programs) is often the only source of income for them. That's why they act quickly, contrary to the natural flow of things. But you don't have to live up to false standards.

You have been changing for 9 months, your body has transformed, you have gained weight. It takes about the same amount of time for you to return to your previous form. And at this time, grueling training should not be the main thing. The main thing is a child and, if possible, a rested, happy mother, whose mind is not clouded by the obsession of showing off her perfect abs. Everything has its time.

Fight cellulite in ways appropriate for breastfeeding:

Take a contrast shower - this has a wonderful effect on the skin, its condition, color. In addition, this way you train your blood vessels well.
Rub your skin. Take a massage washcloth or mitten, and after each shower, intensively (but without abuse) rub your body. In particular, problem areas. Such actions will still not give the effect of a classic anti-cellulite massage, that is, toxins will not be released intensively. But frequent rubbing procedures will help normalize skin tone and restore healthy texture.
Do not allow disruptions in nutrition. For a nursing mother, this is, in principle, a problem - her menu does not allow her to indulge in forbidden food. But while your baby responds great to everything you eat, your baby's body doesn't always react the same way. It's a matter of self-discipline. If you know your goal, you go towards it; excuses are for the lazy.
Walk and walk a lot. The baby can be taught to walk. If the mother takes him and the stroller and goes for a long walk, the child will get used to this regime. Many mothers admit with great pleasure that they cover 15 km a day with a stroller. Isn't this the best "mom's" fitness? Moreover, the human body is programmed specifically for walking (to a greater extent than for running).

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All this together will definitely give results. And if you do not give up the idea of anti-cellulite massage, then after lactation is completed or when the baby is 9 months old, you can turn to this procedure. In addition, your body will already be ready for it . It is unlikely that one course of massages is enough: but first you need to try. Not everyone likes mechanical action, and it is not suitable for everyone. If your skin is sensitive, massage may be a very aggressive measure for you.

Is the procedure allowed after cesarean section?

Whether you can have a massage after a cesarean section or not, the doctor decides. During the procedure, the muscles and skin of the abdomen are involved. This can lead to suture dehiscence and internal bleeding. If the birth was complicated or a cesarean section was performed, then in the first six months the woman should not only refrain from massage, but also minimize physical activity. After six months, permission from a gynecologist is required.

How long after the birth of a child can an anti-cellulite massage be performed, only a doctor can say, assessing the general condition of the woman. In pursuit of a beautiful figure, you can harm yourself and your baby’s health, as well as provoke problems with lactation. Therefore, during the period of breastfeeding, it is worth giving preference to safe methods of combating cellulite, and leaving radical methods for a while after completion of breastfeeding.

What if the doctor allowed it?

Let us note that this opinion is a well-established attitude to the problem in the medical community, supported by research material. Of course, your doctor may adhere to some other views due to his personal beliefs. But even if the doctor allowed you, a nursing mother, to go for an anti-cellulite massage, it will not be a massage in the usual sense. These should be the most gentle procedures possible; the course should not exceed 10 days.

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Moreover: not only the breakdown of fat cells itself is dangerous for the baby. During the massage, the master can use creams or gels with a composition that is impossible for a nursing woman to use. And it is worth understanding that the mother’s hormonal levels are changed, which is why her allergic status may change. The mother may well be allergic to some ingredient in the cream, which is extremely undesirable in principle, and even during breastfeeding.