We evaluated mammary cutaneous perfusion with LDPM in nine lactating women during milk extraction in both the ipsilateral (\'milk extracting\') and contralateral (\'passive\') breast. Fourier domain filtering of the LDPM signal was applied to correct for the influence of the periodic tissue movement caused by the breast pump.
Cutaneous perfusion increased temporary during 23.7 ± 18.9 s by 18%-74% for all women who sensed their milk ejection reflex (n = 6) in both the ipsilateral and contralateral breast. For those women who did not sense a milk ejection reflex (n = 3), the changes in cutaneous perfusion were less outspoken (maximally 26%).
This pilot study provides new insights into mammary hemodynamics and demonstrates that LDPM is a promising method for the further investigation of physiological changes in mammary cutaneous perfusion during milk ejection. Objective feedback on the occurrence and progression of milk ejection can support lactation research in general, maternal breastfeeding confidence, and may be an early indicator for the development of breastfeeding problems.