Do I need to pump + dump after getting a body massage?

damabo80

I got a 90 minute massage tonight. The massage therapist said that since I was breastfeeding, and she was massaging my lymph nodes, I should pump and dump at least for the next 12 hours, but 24 hours ideally. She said this is because the toxins now floating around my body can go into the breastmilk and cause DD to feel sick, not to mention I shouldn't feed my baby BM with toxins in it.

It sounds kinda weird. I've never heard this before. I checked kellymom, but couldn't find anything to support this claim.

Anyone know if after getting a body massage you are suppossed to pump and dump?

nursecramer

I have never heard this either. There are a lot of activities that supposedly release toxins but I've never heard that they should be avoided while BFing. Call a LC if you're unsure.

TanyaKM

Sounds like a total crock to me! But I'm not a massage therapist...

LnR70707

Don't know about toxins, but it might up the lactic acid in your muscles and make your milk taste funny.  That shouldn't hurt LO though.

ceciliasdiamond

My therapist and I have talked about this.  I went ahead and nursed without concern.  I did notice a supply drop the next day and I felt more wornout but my daughter was fine.  She's survived many a toxin filled feedings after massages...

katie4253

What I've learned about massage therapists.  

They are weird.

They are obsessed with "toxins" they release and drinking water to flush them.

There is literally NO research (scholarly research) to support this.  I've looked.  I even had H look (he has access to pretty much every medical journal).

 

tokenhoser

katie4253:

What I've learned about massage therapists.  

They are weird.

They are obsessed with "toxins" they release and drinking water to flush them.

There is literally NO research (scholarly research) to support this.  I've looked.  I even had H look (he has access to pretty much every medical journal).

 

Yeah, that's what I would say. A massage feels great, but I've never understood what "toxins" exactly they think they're releasing, or where they think they go. I can guarantee that you will do your baby no harm just nursing. It's a massage, not chemo.

kesrya

So there is a big difference between a deep tissue massage and a lymph drainage massage.  Lymph drainage does just that - it works specifically on the lymph nodes, and it does in fact release stored toxins into the blood stream - the lymphatic system is a big part of the immune system and the lymph nodes store and fight viruses, bacteria and other toxins/foreign invaders.  It has nothing to do with the muscles.  Lymph drainage work is contraindicated for several types of cancer - including lymphoma because it can activate the lymph system into spreading the cancer.

It really depends why you were going to get a lymph drainage.  Most massage therapists are not trained to do lymph drainage -- they must either take additional, specialized coursework in it, or they are some other type of medical professional that does get trained to do this.  It's not something you just walk in and the massage therapist decides, hey I'm going to drain your lymphatic system today.

In general, it's not going to release toxins you have to worry about -- unless you were getting lymph drainage because of some specific significant medical condition that is known to affect the lymphatic system.

Ardmhs83

I've never heard that before and I had a 60 minute massage once and didn't pump and dump.  I still nursed my son and he was just fine.