Boom in bust therapist massage

More nursing mothers who have difficulty breast-feeding their infants are turning to "breast massage" therapists, many of whom are unqualified and taking advantage of the lack of regulation in this sector.

According to Dong Xiao, a therapist of five years, it costs 400 yuan ($63) each time for a home service, and a therapist can earn on average 6,000 yuan a month, reported the Beijing Daily yesterday. A therapist will massage the mother's breasts to stimulate breast milk production.

"The job needs much professional knowledge, and it takes a long time to be qualified," Dong said, adding that improper treatment could destroy breast tissue.

Some agencies claim they can certify a qualified therapist after only 15 days of training, the report said.

There are people handing out cards promoting the service every morning outside the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Hospital in Chaoyang district, a hospital security guard told the Global Times yesterday.

"Breast feeding is good for babies and hospitals promote it now. That's why the service is so popular," said an expectant mother, surnamed Tao, 31, who is due to give birth in five weeks. But she said that the glut of companies, many of which are unregulated, make it difficult for new mothers to know which one to choose.

Another mother, surnamed Chang, who has an 18-month-old child, said that she had used a therapist service.

"I made the decision to breast-feed even before I gave birth, but my health condition was not that good," said Chang. She first asked her nanny for help, but ended up using a therapist from Beierhao, a registered company, according to its website.

"After I hired a professional, I realized that my nanny's technique was similar, but the effect was totally different," said Chang, who said she paid 150 yuan per visit.

An office employee, surnamed Wang, from Beierbao, said that besides companies, individuals are also involved, like nurses, nannys, and massage therapists.

"So long as the company is professional and has a business license, it shouldn't be regulated much," said Wang, adding therapists need a lot of a practical experience.

Jiang Mei, director with the nursing department of Beijing Obstetrics and Gynaecology Hospital, said the best way forward is to recognise this as an occupation and set up regulated standards.

Some 16 million babies are born each year, while only 28 percent of babies were breast-fed for six months in 2008, reported People's Daily Online in late March. The World Health Organization recommends exclusive breast feeding for infants until at least six months old, and says that breast-feeding is one of the best ways to ensure child health and survival.