Can Nursing Mothers Safely Get Massages?

There are toxins in our bodies amassed over time from various sources - environmental pollution, smog, pesticides in the fruits and vegetables we eat, etc. Massages are great and relaxing, but I'm a little skeptical about the toxins being released by massages. Anyway, I think you can get the massage and be fine. With all the recent news about staph infections, I'd be more worried about that at a massage place.

It is absolutley fine to get massage while nursing. The water and the flushing of "toxins" is not related to poison toxins- just residual body chemicals which are released in much the same way as exercising. Enjoy!

I've been nursing now for 11 months and have gotten a massage about every other month. It is completely worth it and had no side effects that I could tell. While nursing, we should be drinking tons of water anyway, which helps to keep the supply up. There are places who do prenatal massages, if you feel more comfortable going to them.

HI R.,
Get the massage. Toxins are released in a number of ways, including but not limited to breastmilk. We are exposed everyday to thousands of toxins, that which our bodies have grown accustomed to handling and working with, and your little one has already been exposed to and will continue to be so. I understand the concern, and limiting the number of exposures to toxins, such as organic foods, clothing, soaps, purified water, air filters, and on on, will help but in the end...a happy & relaxed mama helps to create a happy baby or at least be able to deal better with an unhappy one.
Take Care of yourself!!
N.

Yes you can. I checked with my ob/gyn and primary care physician, both ok'd prenancy massage. Then I checked with my ob/gyn and pedi about continuing massage while breast feeding, again both ok'd it. In fact, tehy all encouraged it, saying it was a great way to relieve stress and increase overall wellbeing as a person and parent. So go ahead and enjoy!

Yes you can get massages no problem. I am a Massage Therapist and mom x2 and one in the oven. I get massages and I am still nursing my 19 month old. You have to be with someone you trust and someone who knows how they should be massaging a mom who is nursing. It is just like a doctor...... you have to find someone who fits you. Get the massage it will make you feel better. The toxins is the lactic acid that your muscles build up and no it will not harm the milk.......... You may not want to lay face down and that is okay just tell the person that you would like to be on your side when they work on your back so you are not feeling so much pressure on the front. Hope this helps!!!

I think the 'toxins' they are talking about are lactic acid, thich builds up in your muscles when you exercise. That is a natural part of your body's chemistry and cannot hurt the baby. It's just 'massage talk/ to let you know they are doing more for you than making you feel good.

I think a massage could do more good than anything since it will bring your stress level down which is great for you and baby! The toxins that are getting flushed out are already in your body - the baby is already getting them - it can only help to have massage. I highly recommned it!

Dear R. M:

Definitely YES, nursing mothers can safely get massages.
I happen to be a NYS licensed massage therapist with almost 17 years experience, and a mother to two teenagers.
I was 9 months pregnant when I graduated from Swedish Institute, and the big joke was --What's coming first the chicken or the egg-- meaning the baby or the stateboards, 'cause the baby was due the same day as my stateboard exams. Well, my son was born 4 days before my stateboards but still I was in no shape to take the exam and
had to wait 8 months until they gave the stateboards again.

One of my specialties is labor massage, massage for pregnant women and infant massage.

R., to your questions regarding toxins and breastmilk.
First of all, yes it is important that you drink plenty of water so that you eliminate those toxins.
The lymphatic system is responsible for eliminating waste from the body like certain toxins. We will not say all toxins are released because they are not.

Even people who live outside the city take in certain amount of smog (polluted air), unless you eat 100% organic, biodynamic foods and bath in ozonated water and still every single body has a certain amount of bacteria, good and bad,
germs that we come in contact with on a daily basis,etc.,etc.

Just by heating oil, that passes temperature of 135 degrees, that in itself has turned into a carcinogen (toxic), not to mention any chemical over the counter drugs such as acetaminophine (tylenol), or anti-inflamatory drugs, such as
advil, aleve, or motrin. Our so-called FDA has passed inspection on so many "drugs" like celebrex that has caused many deaths. So toxins are in our blood stream as well as
some percentage in breastmilk as well, but breastmilk has
a very high percentage of anti-bodies and is excellent even for things such as "pink eye". This is why it is important to make healthy choices especially when pregnant and nursing, because through what you eat your babys' immune system is being built up.
If you eat lots of meat, pizza, coffee, soda, chips, hot dogs and hamburgers (in other words, junk food), you are passing to your child an immune system based on junk food, which with the added pressures and stresses of daily life in this adult world that we live in will reach a stroke or heart attack by the age of 40 or before.

I wanted you to get a little bit of understanding of the whole picture, that is why I gave you more than just a yes or no answer. Sorry, if this is longer than what you expected.

I hope I was able to be of some assistance and guidance in this area.
Please let me know if this was helpful to you.

Also, I answered you on a personal and knowledgable level, and no advice was given to you on a professional level. This was just to educate you and others a little more.

May God Bless you and your baby always.

Best Wishes,

Respectfully yours,

R. C.

No harm can come from getting a massage while you are still in the nursing phase. If the toxins get flushed out, it is by going to the bathroom, not by nursing. Of course, I have never seen any scientific proof that massage really flushes out toxins, although many masseuses make that claim. All experts (and layman) do agree, however, that massage feels good and is very relaxing. There's nothing bad about feeling good.

I have an experience to share...after receiving a much deserved massage I nursed my baby about 2 hours later. He was then a bit gassy & upset for a couple hours, my idea was that the lactic acid and other toxins coursing through my body seeking removal by liquid means found a way out...

I suggest waiting at least 4-5 hours before breastfeeding after a massage, drink plenty of water and urinate a few times to make sure you have expunged any built up waste.

You can and should get a massage!! The toxins being released aren't something the massage puts into your system, they're already there. I would nurse my child, then get the massage. And iit was great for both of us.

Of course they are safe. Enjoy!

I say go for the massage! But maybe pump and dump too? My guess would be that toxin levels would be highest in breastmilk up to 2 hours after the massage. So, if it were me, I would drink tons of water, pump half an hour later (and dump it), and then drink MORE water so you're not dehydrated. Enjoy your mommy-time!

Hi R.. I am an LMT and a mother of 2. The toxins being spoken of, that are released from the muscles, are in your body system already.So their nothing new or foreign that might harm your baby. It is just metabolic waste ( whats left over when you use your muscles) that sits in muscles until they are used again or you get a massage. The massage just assists the muscles to release what they would anyway, in a more beneficial way. SO you go get that massage. As a mom you deserve to care for you, so you have energy to then care for everyone else. Please feel free to message me if you'd like to talk more.