Find the Best Lactation Massagers for Nursing Moms
Being a mom is not easy. From the arduous period of carrying the baby, to giving birth and nursing, a mother has to go through a variety of nerve-wracking stages and procedures to ensure their child’s safety and good health. Amongst the many ordeals of being a nursing mother is the problem of clogged milk ducts.
A lactation massager is used in such scenarios to ease the flow of milk through the breast effortlessly without any pain or discomfort. It massages your breast to get rid of any blockage or clogging within the milk ducts so you can lactate freely. To assist you in nursing, we have reviewed some of the finest lactation massagers of 2024 so you can choose the right one for yourself. Each of these massagers is unique and comes with a variety of features to ease the discomfort of clogged milk ducts.
Buying Guide: Lactation Massagers
Whether you’re pregnant and trying to plan, or you’re already nursing a baby and looking for a solution to nursing problems that may arise frequently, a good lactation massager should always be a part of your post-pregnancy kit. It not only unclogs milk ducts, but also leaves the breast feeling soft and gentle for your child to latch on to.
We have gone over a variety of the top lactation massagers, but how do you choose the right one? The answer to that lies in your own needs and comfort. Each massager is built uniquely to cater to specific needs.
The following guide will help you understand the buying process and lactation massagers as a product, so you can safely invest in the right one.
What Is a Lactation Massager?
Lactation massagers are small handheld devices that use vibrations, heat therapy, or both to help nursing moms overcome breastfeeding obstacles like tender breasts and blocked milk flow. These massagers are an aid for mothers that make it easy to breastfeed their child without tiring themselves out. It should be noted that a lactation massager does not do anything that you can’t do on your own. Massaging your breasts with your hands has been shown to be equally effective. It does make the process easier and simpler, which is quite helpful for a mother that already has a lot on her plate.
How Does a Lactation Massager Work?
As mentioned previously, lactation massagers use heat or vibrations to unclog milk ducts and relieve sensitivity and tenderness in the breasts. Some massagers have a single vibration or heating mode, while others offer an array of heating and vibrating modes that you can switch on and off to your liking. Lactation massagers also have a unique shape that is used for supporting the breasts, scooping up milk from within, and unclogging ducts with the edges. All of these features come together to make lactation massagers a godsend for nursing mothers.
How Useful Is a Lactation Massager?
While it is understood that a lactation massager serves as an aid for a task that you can accomplish using your hands or heating pads, it should be noted that lactation massagers do make the entire process easier and smoother for all the parties involved. It encompasses a vibrator, scooping tool, and heating pad into one, so that you can easily cater to your problems without having to juggle between several different tools in an emergency.
Lactation massagers are also small and portable and are easy to fit into a bra, so you can use them even when your hands are full. All of these benefits, coupled with the primary advantage of a lactation massager helping with breastfeeding problems, make it a must-have for pregnant and nursing mothers.
The thing about lactation massagers is that you probably won’t need one every time you have a baby. As a pregnant mother planning for her first child, or a nursing mother who’s not so new to bearing kids, a lactation massager can serve to be a luxury that you will only appreciate when you experience it. Even if you don’t have any alarming breastfeeding problems, you can just turn on your massager and use it to relieve pain and soreness from your healing body.
How To Choose the Right Lactation Massager?
There are a lot of things to consider when you’re buying a lactation massager. Most of these are features that are easily available in many lactation massagers already. Just to make sure that your massager is personalized for your needs, you should consider the following when buying the massager.
Shape and size
One of the most important things to consider is the shape and size of the massager. Most massagers are compact and can be easily held in the palm of your hand. You can also carry them around in your pockets when you’re on the go. A compact massager is also great, because you can easily stuff it into your bra so your hands are hassle-free. It is recommended to go for a size that will suit your breast size and won’t be too bulky.
Lactation massagers come in many different shapes and styles. Some massagers have hard edges for relieving clogged ducts, while others have a more concave shape so you can scoop up the underside of your breast using them. Some also sport a flat exterior that serves as a heating pad. Given the variety, you need to decide which shape suits you and your breasts.
Vibration mode
Lactation massagers are commonly electric and use vibrations to work out clogs and scoop up milk from the milk ducts to improve the flow. There are several different vibration modes, speeds, and intensities that can help you with certain kinds of problems. For example, slight pain or tenderness can be dealt with using a medium vibration speed whereas relieving clogged milk ducts may require a higher speed. You should look for a massager that allows you the flexibility to choose your vibration intensity and speed.
Heat
Some electric massagers may have heat therapy as an option to help soothe any soreness or tenderness in your breasts and to help milk move along faster by expanding the ducts and muscles around it. Heat therapy has been used for the relaxation of different body parts for a long time, so it is no surprise that heat works just as well for breastfeeding problems.
If you believe heating can add extra comfort to your nursing experience, you should look for a massager that offers heat therapy. You may get a single heat option or multiple heating modes depending on the kind of massager you buy.
Type of massager
While the most common type of lactation massagers are electric massagers, you will also find another type of massager. Manual massagers are for mothers who do not feel comfortable or safe using an electric massager on a sensitive body part.
If you’re looking for a manual lactation massager, you can get your hands on a roller massager, which is the top alternative to an electric massager. If you don’t have any reservations about using an electric massager, then they can be a convenient option for busy mothers.
Water-resistance
Water resistance can be a great add-on feature for your lactation massager. It is always a good idea to look for a waterproof massager, so it can not be damaged by water or moisture easily. Spills around your lactation massager can be very common when you have a newborn around. You can also use a waterproof breast massager in the shower under hot or warm water so you can have a comfortable massaging experience.
Detailing the Top Lactation Massagers in 2024
LaVie Lactation Massager – Best Overall
This LaVie Lactation Massager is a nursing essential that comes with several different vibration modes to ease pumping and breastfeeding. It has a unique design that makes it a great tool for different nursing problems including mastitis, clogged ducts, and engorgement. You can use the scoop edge to scoop up milk within your breast to pump more easily. The narrow tip of the massager is great for unclogging milk ducts. The flatter end of the massager can be used for sensitivity and swelling.
This lactation massager is completely waterproof and can be used anytime. It is a lot more convenient for massaging your breasts instead of using your hands. This prevents you from tiring out trying to pump some milk for your baby. It is our favorite product because it combats common breastfeeding problems with its 3-in-1 function and is also quite affordable.
Pros
- Completely safe for use
- Long battery life
- Efficiently empties the breast
Cons
- Is slightly too loud
Frida Mom 2-in-1 Lactation Massager – Most Economical
If you’re looking for a solution for clogged milk ducts, this Frida Mom 2-in-1 Lactation Massager uses vibrations and heat energy to combat clogged milk ducts and aid in nursing. You can choose between either of these modes to get relief from blocked ducts or pain. The heat busts up any blockage and expands the muscles for easier pumping and flow. The heat also works wonders in case of engorgement, and provides instant relief from pain.
Each of the ends and sides of the massager can be used uniquely for catering to different problems. You can empty your breasts or relieve clogged ducts by customizing the massager to fit your needs. This pocket-sized massager can easily be recharged using a USB cable, so you don’t need to keep extra batteries on hand. Since the massager is water-resistant, you can use it any time you want, including in the shower when it’s the easiest to massage your breasts.
Pros
- Pocket-sized massager is portable
- Does not require any batteries
- Works perfectly fine in humid environments
- Automatically shuts off after 20 minutes
Cons
- Heats up slowly
Grownsy Warming Lactation Massager – Compact Design
You will find a great variety in sizes of lactation massagers, but this Grownsy Warming Lactation Massager for breastfeeding moms is perfect for several different reasons. Not only does the compact size make it ideal for use on any breast size or area, but it also provides continuous heating and vibration for maximized results. It has a long battery life that allows you to use the massager sufficiently once it is completely charged.
The massager comes with a strategically designed large heating area that provides instant relief from clogging, tenderness, or pain. It also has dual vibration modes that you can set to your liking for a more personalized experience. One of the great things about this massager is its long-lasting heating effect. Unlike other massagers, this massager keeps warm for about 90 minutes and warms up quickly so you don’t have to wait.
Pros
- Provides instant lactation support anytime
- Safe to use BPA-free massager
- Easy to carry around
- Stays warm for a longer time
Cons
- The high-heat setting can hurt
HAUTURE Lactation Massager – Most Versatile
This skin-friendly lactation massager is made of soft silicone that is easy on your breasts while it relieves any clogging, engorgement, or pain. This HAUTURE Lactation Massager has super soft material, so you can easily tuck the massager into your clothes for discrete pain-relief wherever you go. The gentle vibration and heating features take care of all your breastfeeding problems so you and your child can relax.
The ergonomic design of the breast massager uses its sides and edges for personalized treatment. You can use the sides to scoop up milk and bring it forward within your breasts, while the pointy edges can be used to unclog milk ducts for easier milk flow. This multipurpose usage coupled with the skin-friendly material makes this a perfect massager for sensitive moms.
Pros
- Made of BPA-free material
- Three heating and five vibrating modes
- Works on any shape or size breasts
Cons
- Battery life is pretty short
Momcozy Warming Lactation Massager – High Quality
This Momcozy Warming Lactation Massager is made to provide optimal comfort to you while you nurse your newborn. This is why it is made of food-grade, soft silicone that is extremely soft on the skin and can be used for hours on end. It perfectly fits the shape of your breasts to ensure the most ideal breastfeeding support. It is inspired by a Gua Sha tool, which is commonly used for rejuvenating the facial skin. It has three contact points that help mothers combat different problems during lactation.
The waterproof body of the massager can also be used in the shower, where you can have the luxury of hot or warm water to ease the muscles in your breasts even more while you massage. The massager also has heating and vibrating modes that you can use to customize your massage experience. The heated massaging can help soften your breasts so it is easier for your baby to latch onto them.
Pros
- Made of super-soft and safe material
- Suitable for any breast shape
- Has six vibrating and three heating modes
Cons
- Takes a while to warm up
People Also Asked
A:
It has been proven time and again that heat helps in relieving pain and relaxing muscles in your body. The same function helps in improving milk flow from the breast and emptying the breast without any pain or discomfort. Warming lactation massagers are also great for relieving pain and soreness from the breasts after nursing.
A: The right technique for massaging your breasts is to begin from the outside and evenly massage in a circular motion around your entire breast. Keep this up until you reach the areola and then you can massage backward to the top. If you need to scoop up milk from your breast you go from the outer breast towards the areola in a straight movement.
A: No, a lactation massager is not meant for inducing lactation. It only works when you have some kind of milk supply to work with. There are other tools and methods that you can use if you want to induce lactation. If you need to induce lactation, you will have to use a pumping machine, therapy, or medications. You should consult a doctor before you try to induce lactation.
A: A lactation massager will only hurt you if you’re using it the wrong way or if it's not meant for your body. It should not be leaving any red marks, scars, or soreness after you’re done using it. To prevent any damage from lactation massagers, make sure the heat and vibration settings are always controlled and are not too harsh. You should also make sure that you’re not too hard on the massager when using it. Your grasp should be firm, but it should also be soft and gentle to prevent any harm to you.
