Let me introduce myself and what I do.

I am Jayne, I am an Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultant, Registered Nurse and Maternal Child Health Nurse in Private Practice in Ipswich, Qld, Australia. You can find my business Facebook page here .

I work with breastfeeding mother and infants to help them to achieve their breastfeeding goals as well as infants with bottle feeding issues and other oral motor issues. Most of the mothers I see are often suffering with nipple damage, mastitis or blocked ducts. And while we have many strategies to help support these mothers through these issues, low level laser therapy can increase healing and decrease the inflammation and pain associated with these conditions. By utilising low level laser therapy we can significantly improve healing times, get babies back to breastfeeding quicker and attempt to avoid the need for antibiotics treatment if treatment is started early enough.

A low level laser therapy machine has been on my ultimate wish list for my service for a long time, however, cost wise it has not been achievable for me without going into debt to buy the machine. While I am not opposed to doing that to be able to have this amazing device and service in my clinic, it would mean that my fees for using low level laser therapy would be increased so as to allow me to repay the debt.

If I can crowd fund the machine them I can keep the cost to a bare minimum and just cover my time. Cost wise this would mean instead of having to charge a mother $50-$70 for a 15 minutes session, I would only need to charge $30. When we use this device ideally we want the mother to have 2-3 sessions within 3-5 days and then potentially some more sessions after that, so it has the potential to become very expensive for mothers.

Low level laser therapy is very safe, quick and effective.

Having this machine in my rooms would mean that I would be able to meet them at my office and provide them with this treatment early and as frequently as needed.

I have been lucky enough to have access to a laser at a dental clinic, but that has not been very convenient. It requires the laser not being in use and depends on my availability in between my very busy private practice as well as 30 mins travel time each way and paying for hiring the laser on top of my fee.

To purchase the laser machine, relevant laser probe and 2 pairs of safety goggles it is approximately $3500-4000, so I have put a $4000 goal to cover the Gofundme fees as well as any unexpected costs. Any left over funds will be used to offer cheaper services where possible.

I really do hope you will support this cause.

If you would love to know more about low level laser therapy for mastitis, nipple damage and blocked ducts when breastfeeding please message me. You can also read some more information below.

Thank you for your support in helping breastfeeding mothers and babies!

Photobiomodulation (PBM) is low intensity laser treatment (LLLT) that has been shown to reduce inflammation, improve healing and reduce pain from back and neck pain, from sports injuries, after surgery, after radiotherapy treatments and for soft tissue damage such as mastitis and nipple damage during breastfeeding.

This low intensity laser light is applied to injuries for one minute per treatment site. Multiple sites may need treatment so treatment time can take several minutes.

SAFETY

The laser machine is approved use by the United States, Heath Canada, UK, European Union and Australia.

We do not treat over tumours, or the eyes or or directly over the womb of a pregnant mother.

Special laser protective glasses are worn during treatment. This is an extra precaution to keep our eyes safe.

SIDE EFFECTS

There are no reported significant side effects. Occasionally pain might feel slightly worse for a few hours after treatment, though most mothers report significantly reduced pain within a short period of time post treatment.

The treatment should not be painful and you should feel no significant heat, but you might feel a pleasant warmth.

You may experience some temporary aggravated symptoms after Low level laser therapy.

LLLT/PBM FOR MASTITIS, NIPPLE DAMAGE AND BLOCKED DUCTS

Treatment via LLLT/PBM does not replace the support by a qualified IBCLC.

Treatment via LLLT/PBM does not replace the support by your General Medical Practitioner.

Treatment is used to improve the rate of healing and reduce the associated inflammation and pain of mastitis, nipple damage and blocked ducts. It is used as an adjunct to the normal treatment of these conditions as prescribed by your IBCLC and/or General Medical Practitioner. If your IBCLC or medical practitioner has requested or prescribed antibiotic treatment or other treatment then you should continue to take this medication/treatment while receiving LLLT/PBM treatment.

The underlying cause of mastitis, nipple damage or blocked ducts should be assessed and treated appropriately prior to LLLT/PBM.

Treatment via LLLT/PBM does not stop bacterial, viral or fungal infections from occurring. However, early treatment of mastitis, nipple damage and blocked ducts before they become infective can prevent the need for antibiotic or antifungal treatment.

If you are not currently under the care of an IBCLC you will be required to have an initial infant feeding consult prior to LLLT/PBM treatment.

2-3 treatments within the first week is recommended. Followed by 1-2 treatments per week as required.

The laser probe with be held above the affected areas for 1 minute per area. The associated lymph nodes will also be treated. This encourages the reduction of inflammation. This usually includes the axilla (under arm) lymph nodes and subclavian lymph nodes located just above your collar bone at the base of your neck.

You will be able to feed your baby immediately after the treatment.

REFERENCES

Malinowski 2019 The effect of low intensity laser irradiation of inflamed udders on the efficacy of antibiotic treatment of clinical mastitis in dairy cows.

Vet Ital 2019 Sep 30 Mokmeli 2009 The Application of Low-Level Laser Therapy after Cesarean Section Does Not Compromise Blood Prolactin Levels and Lactation Status. Photomed Laser Surg 2009 Apr 30

Wang 2014 Low-Level Laser Therapy Attenuates LPS-Induced Rats Mastitis by Inhibiting Polymorphonuclear Neutrophil Adhesion. J Vet Med Sci 2014 Aug 22

[Prevention of lactation mastitis by the use of low-intensity laser irradiation] Akush Ginekol (Mosk) 1990 Feb -2 57-61

Wang 2020 Effect of Photobiomodulation Therapy (660 nm) on Wound Healing of Rat Skin Infected by Staphylococcus. PMID 32466696de

Barros Araújo Júnior R 2017 Low-intensity LED therapy (λ 640 ± 20 nm) on saphenectomy healing in patients who underwent coronary artery bypass graft: a randomized, double-blind study. PMID 29027034

Aragona 2017 Photobiomodulation with polarized light in the treatment of cutaneous and mucosal ulcerative lesions. PMID 28702985

Frangez I 2017 The effect of LED on blood microcirculation during chronic wound healing

Abreu Chaves et al, 2021. LED Phototherapy improves healing of nipple trauma: a pilot study. Photomedicine and Laser Therapy, Vol 30, Number 3.

Buck, Eckereder and Amir. 2016. Low level laser therapy for breastfeeding problems. Breastfeeding review, vol 24, Number 2.

Coca et al, 2016. Efficacy of low-level laser therapy in relieving nipple pain in breastfeeding women: a triple-blind, randomised controlled trial. Pain Management Nursing, Vol 17, No 4.

Abreau Chaves et al, 2013. Effects of low-power light therapy on wound healing: LASER x LED. An Bras Dermatol, 89(4).

Camargo et al. 2020. The effect of a single irradiation of low-level laser on nipple pain in breastfeeding women: a randomised controlled trial. Lasers in medical science, 35.

Chung et al. 2012. The nuts and bolts of low level laser (light) therapy. Biomedical engineering society, vol 40, no 2.

Huang et al. 2009. Biphasic dose response in low level light therapy. Dose response.