Breast Compressions & Switch Nursing: Helping Your Baby Get More Milk 🐻✨

Breast compressions and switch nursing are two simple techniques that can help keep your baby actively feeding for longer. This often means they’ll take in more milk, which can be especially useful if your baby is sleepy, slow to gain weight, or seems frustrated by a slower milk flow.

What Are Breast Compressions?

Breast compressions can help move milk towards the nipple when your baby is sucking but not actively swallowing. To do this:

• Gently hold your breast with your whole hand. You can place your hand over the top of your breast or position your fingers underneath with your thumb on top.

• Squeeze firmly but comfortably—just enough to encourage milk flow, but not so hard that it hurts.

• Your baby should start swallowing after a few moments. Hold the compression until the swallowing slows down, then release.

• Move your hand slightly and repeat the process as needed.

• When compressions no longer help, offer the other breast.

What Is Switch Nursing?

Switch nursing encourages more active feeding by making use of natural letdowns. When your baby’s sucking slows down:

• Gently break the latch by slipping a finger into the corner of their mouth.

• Offer the other breast—your baby will usually start sucking more vigorously as milk starts flowing again.

• When their sucking slows, switch back to the first breast.

• Keep switching sides until your baby seems satisfied.

Switch nursing not only helps your baby get more milk but can also help increase your milk supply over time by encouraging more frequent milk removal.

Combining These Techniques

You can use breast compressions and switch nursing separately or together, depending on what works best for you and your baby. These techniques can be particularly helpful in the early weeks as you and your baby learn together.

If you're concerned about your milk supply or your baby’s feeding, reach out to a t for support.

Marion Frey-AlQurashi

Mindful Breastfeeding Practitioner

Certified Lactation Specialist