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Breastfeeding is not only moments filled with happiness and unity with the baby. Often there are many troubles associated with lactation: cracks, lack of milk or, conversely, hyperlactation. One of these problems can be the formation of seals in the mammary gland in a nursing mother. In addition to pain and discomfort, they can lead to serious complications.

What it is

Most often, lumps in the chest that occur during feeding are lactostasis. This is a stagnant formation that occurs when the milk duct is blocked and it is impossible to free the share from milk.

By itself, this trouble does not pose any threat to the mother or baby, and it is quite common. But it is imperative to get rid of lactostasis in a short time, since the neglected form leads to the formation of mastitis. Especially dangerous is purulent mastitis, which is subject to surgical intervention.

Symptoms

Symptoms of lactostasis manifest themselves in a rather noticeable way:

• soreness;
• the presence of seals in the breast during lactation, which can disappear after massage;
• uneven flow of milk from painful breasts;
• breast enlargement - due to the presence of a large amount of milk in the breast;
• an increase in body temperature - up to 40 degrees, occurs when lactostasis is running;
• swelling and redness - occurs above the site of compaction and indicates that inflammation occurs in the mammary gland.

The reasons

Incorrect actions of the mother or the characteristics of the baby lead to the appearance of compaction in the mammary glands during feeding. There are a lot of reasons that cause lactostasis, but they all boil down to the fact that milk does not come out of some parts of the breast.

One of the common causes of breast lumps during breastfeeding is the same position when feeding. For example, the largest axillary lobe is poorly released from milk when the baby takes the breast in the standard “sitting” position. If the blockage occurred in the center in the upper part of the chest, then, most likely, the mother, while feeding the baby, holds the breast, so that the nipple is on top of the pinched index finger, and on the bottom - with the middle one.

Possible Complications

The main complication that can lead to stagnation of milk with hardening in the mammary gland in a nursing mother is mastitis, and especially purulent. It is a consequence of the entry of bacteria into the breast tissue. This can happen if there are chronic infectious diseases or damage to the skin in the nipple area.

In most cases, a woman's immunity copes with bacteria, but milk stagnation in the ducts is an excellent breeding ground for pathogenic microorganisms. If the bump cannot be broken for a long time - more than 3 days, and the temperature rises, the chest swells and turns red in places, most likely, the inflammatory process is already underway.

In this case, you should immediately consult a doctor, since advanced purulent mastitis is an indication for surgical intervention. How to remove lumps in the chest? If you turn to a specialist in time, it is possible to remove inflammation with the help of ultrasound and other physiotherapeutic methods.

Complex treatment

Treatment of lumps in the sternum in women that have arisen during feeding requires an integrated approach. The fight against lactostasis should begin immediately after its detection. After 12 hours, it is already much more difficult to do this, the woman's health may worsen, and the likelihood of an infectious process increases significantly.

If there is no temperature yet and the mother's condition is satisfactory, a number of measures can be taken to help eliminate the bumps. To do this, you need to drain the stagnation and completely free the share of the mammary gland from milk. How to get rid of lumps in the chest?

Proper preparation

Before proceeding with direct measures to get rid of the balls in the chest with GV, it is necessary to prepare the chest. The most preferred is a warm shower or compress for a few minutes, after which the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe seal is slightly kneaded until it becomes softer.

In no case should one resort to these measures in the case of advanced lactostasis and elevated temperature, since it is not known at what stage of inflammation the damaged breast lobule is located.

Frequent application

The best way to deal with such a problem is to try to let the child dissolve the stagnation. If you apply the baby more often to the affected breast at the beginning of the maturation of lactostasis, it is likely that he will cope with it. Before feeding, it is advisable to express some milk - this will help the baby suck more actively.

In order for the sucking process to be most effective, an important rule should be observed - the area of ​​\u200b\u200bconsolidation in the chest during feeding should be under the lower jaw of the child. In the event that the feeding position is extremely uncomfortable, for example, the upper chest is affected, you can lie down with the baby on the bed in a certain way.

Compresses

They help soften the place of the lump in the breast during feeding, as well as somewhat reduce pain. Depending on the compress itself, there may be an anti-inflammatory and antiseptic effect.

Effective and easiest to use is a napkin or towel moistened with warm water, which is applied to a sore chest. Keep it until it cools down. Very common and quite effective for chest diseases is a cabbage compress. The cabbage leaf is beaten off until the juice stands out, and applied to the sore spot. It is believed that it helps with inflammatory diseases of the breast.

Expressions

If with the help of the baby it is not possible to drain the seal in the mammary gland during breastfeeding, you can try to do it yourself.

To do it right, you need to follow a certain technique that will not aggravate the situation. If lactostasis has already happened, and milk is in excess, you should express a little on your own after the end of feeding so that it does not stagnate in the chest for a long time.

How to properly express

The technique of decanting stagnation is not difficult. It should be remembered that this procedure should not bring tangible pain. Excessive pressure and active massage should also be avoided. All movements should be soft and smooth.

Consider how to break up lumps while breastfeeding:

1. Before pumping, we prepare the breasts with heat and a little massage, and wash the hands and mammary glands well.
2. The chest should be grasped as follows: the thumb is opposed to the other 4 fingers. For example, the thumb is on the top of the chest, while the other four support the chest from below.
3. The fingers should be at the edge of the halo. Pressing is done not on the lobules of the gland, but on the edge of the halo, while slightly pressing it into the chest.
4. There will be a lump in the chest with GV, which is located under the thumb.
5. If milk is no longer secreted, you need to massage the clogged part of the breast a little more and try again.
6. You should not focus only on working on the seal, it is better to express the entire breast completely.

After feeding or pumping, a cold compress should be applied to the breast to reduce the flow of milk. For the same reason, it is better to reduce the amount of liquid consumed at this time.

What not to do

There are certain actions that should be avoided so as not to aggravate lactostasis and not provoke the development of mastitis:

1. Do not use alcohol compresses. They inhibit the production of the hormone oxytocin, which helps to effectively remove milk from the mammary gland. The consequence is heavy milk secretion, the child gets tired of sucking it and does not eat up, and the likelihood that lactostasis will pass is also reduced.
2. Hot compresses are contraindicated, especially at high temperatures, when it is likely that mastitis has begun.
3. Do not apply aggressive massage. Inexperienced or too active actions near the seal can additionally injure the mammary gland and form new lumps in the mammary glands. In addition, if mastitis has already begun, pressing on the bag of pus can lead to its rupture.

Prevention

Preventive measures to help avoid the formation of lumps in the breast include:

• compliance with the rules of personal hygiene;
• well-established feeding regimen and proper attachment;
• if necessary, express excess milk;
• if lactation is too strong, correct it with nutrition, etc.

By following these simple rules, it can be expected that lumps in the mammary glands are unlikely to occur during feeding.

Video

How to properly express milk during stagnation, you will learn from our video.

Many women who practice breastfeeding experience such a phenomenon as seals in the mammary glands. Their appearance gives the nursing mother significant discomfort: during feeding, severe pain occurs. Such a problem cannot be ignored, because ignoring the presence of lumps in the breast can lead to the development of dangerous diseases such as mastitis. You can cope with lactostasis at the initial stage on your own at home.

Symptoms of lactostasis

Seals in the mammary gland are small bumps that can be easily felt with your fingers. A hard lump in the breast of a nursing mother is the first sign of milk stagnation (lactostasis). The presence of the following symptoms also indicates its development:

• Inflammation and swelling of the breast. Due to swelling, it becomes larger, and the skin in the places of the tumor acquires a light scarlet color.
• Pain when feeling seals. Pressing on the place where the breast has hardened, the woman experiences acute pain. The chest also hurts a lot during the process of breastfeeding, and after the cessation of feeding, relief comes.
• Increase in body temperature. It is able to rise to 37.5 degrees. In a mild form, lactostasis can occur without temperature.
• Deterioration of the outflow of milk. During pumping, it is released very slowly, drop by drop. It is difficult to suckle the breast and the baby.

The presence of the above symptoms during breastfeeding requires prompt action. Ignoring the signs of lactostasis will lead to a significant decrease in lactation and serious health problems for women.

Causes of stagnant milk

It is important not only to cure the disease, but also to identify the causes of its development in order to avoid relapses. Milk stasis can be triggered by both internal and external factors. The most common causes of lactostasis:

If seals are found, prompt action must be taken to eliminate them. Untimely treatment will lead to a sharp deterioration in the condition of the woman and the formation of mastitis.

How to remove lumps in the chest

If, if there are seals in the chest in a nursing mother, the body temperature is above 37.5 degrees, then you should urgently consult a doctor - this the condition is very dangerous not only for health, but also for the life of a woman. Often, fever is a sign of mastitis (purulent inflammation of the breast), which requires urgent medical attention.

In the absence of elevated temperature, you can eliminate the lumps yourself. It is necessary to apply the child to the sore breast as often as possible. A contraindication to feeding is only the presence of purulent discharge.

It is important to carry out breastfeeding of the baby even in a dream, if the mother's breast is full. Such measures will help to quickly break up lumps and normalize lactation. At the same time, do not forget about the second breast in order to prevent the formation of seals in it. Recommendations for feeding with stagnation of milk:

It is necessary to perform a set of these actions before each feeding. This will allow after 2-3 days to significantly improve the health of a nursing woman and improve lactation.

It is important to monitor the amount of fluid consumed. Its daily amount should be at least and not more than 3 liters. This volume includes not only water, but also juices, tea, first courses. Fluid restriction to reduce lactation will cause dehydration. To achieve a faster result, you should also use the methods of traditional medicine.

Treatment with folk remedies

To remove seals in the mammary glands, it is recommended to resort to the following folk remedies:

• Honey. A cake is prepared from it: it is necessary to mix honey and flour until a tight dough is formed. Having given it the shape of a thin cake, you need to apply it to the inflamed skin, fix it with cling film or a piece of polyethylene, wrap your chest with a warm scarf or scarf. It is necessary to withstand the agent for at least 15 minutes. It is recommended to carry out this procedure 4-5 times a day. This method of eliminating seals is contraindicated in nursing mothers with an allergy to honey.
• Cabbage. Cabbage leaves are applied to the chest. The leaf should be soft, if there are coarse veins on it, it is necessary to cut them off with a knife. After the leaf is washed and slightly dried, it is cut in several places. This is necessary in order for the juice to begin to stand out. Then the cabbage leaf is applied to the inflamed chest, fixed with a bandage bandage and put on a bra. After 2.5-3 hours, it is necessary to apply a compress of fresh cabbage.
• Pharmaceutical camomile. It is used as a decoction. To prepare the product, you need to pour 1 teaspoon with a glass of water and put on fire. After the liquid boils, it should be boiled over low heat for 30 minutes, and then strained. In the finished broth, a piece of gauze or soft cloth is moistened and applied to the sore chest. A chamomile compress must be kept for at least half an hour. You need to apply the remedy 3-4 times a day.
• Cottage cheese. It is used for compression. A small amount of a chilled dairy product should be applied to a piece of gauze and applied to a sore breast. Cottage cheese must be covered with polyethylene. The compress must be kept for 10 minutes. It is necessary to carry out the procedure at least 3 times a day.

Important: you can not warm the chest with compresses using alcohol and warming ointments. Such exposure to delicate skin can lead to complications.

In the absence of a positive result after therapy with folk remedies, it is necessary to stop self-medication and seek medical help. Based on the examination and test results, the specialist will select the appropriate treatment. Today, pharmacies sell many different ointments and gels for the breast, which have anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, allowing you to quickly cure lactostasis. But you can use such funds only with the permission of a doctor.

Self-administration of medications for lactostasis is dangerous to health.

Preventive measures

To minimize the risk of lactostasis in the future, a woman must strictly follow the rules of breastfeeding. For successful lactation and the prevention of various health problems, it is necessary:

• Breastfeed your baby on demand. You should stop feeding by the hour. If the mother needs to leave for an indefinite period of time, it is recommended to express a small amount of milk so that the person looking after the child can feed him if necessary. Thus, milk should never be fully expressed.
• Applying the baby correctly to the breast. It is necessary that when feeding the baby, the entire halo is captured, and not just the nipple. It is important to alternate both breasts when feeding. Such a measure will avoid stagnation of milk.
• Avoid bottle feeding. It is possible to supplement the child with a small amount of milk from the mother only if the pediatrician insists on this. Then you should use a spoon or a small cup, because after taking the mixture from the bottle, the baby may throw up the breast.

Having found a seal in the mammary gland during breastfeeding, many women begin to panic. This is understandable, because in the first days and weeks of feeding the crumbs, the lactation process has not yet returned to normal, and the milk ducts can easily become clogged and inflamed. You can cope with the problem on your own if the lumps in the chest do not cause severe discomfort, and there are no signs of mastitis. In order not to aggravate the situation and get rid of seals, a nursing mother needs to be treated properly, what exactly can be done will be discussed today.

Causes of lumps in the chest

The reasons for the appearance of seals in the chest can be different.

Doctors say that the appearance of seals in the mammary glands during breastfeeding is not uncommon. The main thing when cones are found in the chest is to contact a specialist and take timely measures to combat the problem. So it will be possible to avoid complications and continue natural feeding, because mother's milk is a source of nutrients the baby needs for growth and development.

Seals in the mammary gland that form during breastfeeding without fever affect one or both breasts at once. The mechanism of their appearance is as follows - in some parts of the gland, the milk ducts expand, due to which the rate of passage of fluid to the nipple drops. With a large amount of fatty milk, stagnation occurs with the formation of a cork from fat, the walls of the duct are stretched, causing pain to the woman. This condition is called lactostasis, and the causes of lumps are as follows:

• nervous stress and hypothermia - as a result of experiences and disturbance of temperature balance, a spasm and narrowing of a certain section of the milk duct occurs. The wall in front of it is stretched, due to which lactation is disturbed and compaction occurs;
• pumping unnecessarily - Doctors used to advise women to completely express the rest of the milk after applying the baby. But the gland perceives this as complete devastation and produces even more milk, which is why the ducts do not have time to remove it completely, clogging and forming stagnation;
• too fatty milk - it can thicken due to a lack of fluid in a woman's body, especially in summer, then fat plugs form in the ducts and signs of lactostasis appear;
• feeding in the same position - the baby does not dissolve those parts of the gland in which more milk has accumulated. This usually happens if the mother feeds the child only in a sitting position, directing his chin to the center of the chest;
• long breaks between feedings - before, feeding was carried out according to a schedule every 3-4 hours, and at night the baby was given a bottle of water instead of a breast. But many mothers cannot hear the baby's cry during the demand to feed the baby, because of which the gland is even more filled with milk, clogged and amazed by the seals.

Lactostasis can occur due to trauma and even a small blow to the chest. The ducts swell and clog, resulting in a seal. Women with inverted nipples suffer from signs of lactostasis when the baby cannot grasp it correctly. Also, the risk of lump formation is higher for moms who wear tight, uncomfortable underwear and sleep on their stomachs at night.

Symptoms, how lactostasis manifests itself

Lactation in the breast that occurs during breastfeeding, caused by lactostasis, is not dangerous in itself and is quite common among nursing mothers. But it is necessary to get rid of it, otherwise the risk of mastitis formation increases, which already poses a threat of suppuration. You can recognize lactostasis by the following symptoms:

• pain in the gland;
• seals that temporarily disappear after a massage;
• uneven flow of milk from the affected gland;
• breast enlargement due to a large amount of milk;
• tissue swelling and redness - located above the seal and indicate the presence of an inflammatory process.

The skin of the mammary gland is covered with a noticeable venous network, and engorgement persists even after feeding and hand expressing milk. The temperature during lactostasis usually does not increase, but can reach 37-38 ° C. If the soreness of the compaction in the mammary gland during breastfeeding increases, and the temperature rises to 39-40 ° C, this indicates advanced lactostasis and requires emergency medical attention.

Differences between lactostasis and other breast diseases

A painless seal in the mammary gland that appears during breastfeeding does not always indicate lactostasis. There are a number of pathologies that are also characterized by breast engorgement, accompanied by their own symptoms and requiring different approaches to treatment. So, for example, if the mammary gland hurts, but there are no seals, you should not postpone a visit to the doctor, a feeling of discomfort does not appear just like that, you need to find out the reason.

A common reason for the formation of seals in the mammary glands is an inflammatory process that occurs as a response to the penetration of a bacterial agent through cracks in the nipples. The delicate skin of the areolas is damaged during the sucking of the baby at the breast and drying out after the feeding process. The problem occurs more often in the first weeks of feeding, and is solved with coarsening of the nipples.

Mastitis is a dangerous disease that provokes accumulations of pus in the areas of the gland, while the woman's temperature rises, her chest hurts and turns red, and mucopurulent discharge may come from the nipple. At the initial stage, you can do without surgery with the help of antibiotics and physiotherapy. The advanced form of the disease requires an operation, during which the ducts are washed with antiseptics and the purulent exudate is removed. The child is transferred to feeding mixtures.

Attention! In the event of the appearance of such symptoms, it is necessary to visit a doctor so as not to provoke complications and not reach the surgical intervention. In addition, seeking qualified help early will help maintain lactation and continue breastfeeding.

Mastitis is dangerous not only with chest pain, but also with suppuration, as well as high fever.

Mastopathy

This disease is manifested by the growth of breast tissue of a pathological nature, and the most common cause is hormonal disruptions in the body. During gestation, the normal level of hormones is disturbed, which is why the development of mastopathy during breastfeeding is quite likely. Seals in the gland reach several centimeters in size.

Concomitant symptoms of mastopathy - pulling pain, radiating to the shoulders and armpits. Seals are single in nature, located in different parts of the chest, or stray into painful nodes. As feeding is established, the bumps can resolve on their own, therefore, with mastopathy, it is imperative to continue breastfeeding the baby.

Cyst

These formations, which cause discomfort in the area of ​​the mammary glands, are formed due to hormonal imbalance in the body. During the feeding period, growing cysts are not dangerous if they remain of their original size. With their increase, the risk of developing lactostasis and mastitis increases, so the condition of the cyst must be constantly monitored.

To prevent the growth of cystic lumps and seals, herbal preparations are prescribed that promote resorption and reduce inflammation. These are homeopathic and herbal remedies, the selection of which should be handled by the doctor. If the cyst nevertheless has grown, after the end of breastfeeding, it is removed surgically, or a powerful hormonal therapy is carried out.

Tumors

The growth of neoplasms in the breast requires constant monitoring by doctors and determining the nature of the tumor. They are of two types:

1. Benign - this includes fibroadenoma and lipoma. These are small seals that are not soldered to the skin layer, mobile and painless. During pregnancy and breastfeeding, hormonal changes in the body occur. Because of what benign neoplasms can increase and even degenerate into cancer, the intensive growth of the tumor requires its removal.
2. Malignant - affect the subcutaneous layer of the gland, soldering to it and creating a restriction of mobility. The method of therapy is chosen based on the degree of pathology and the size of the formation. If the doctor prescribes chemotherapy or radiation therapy, feeding will have to be stopped.

Important! It has been proven that the treatment of even malignant tumors is successful with timely detection. Therefore, a nursing mother should urgently turn to doctors when fixed seals appear in the gland, even if they do not hurt or cause discomfort.

Can I continue feeding?

What to do if a seal is found in the mammary gland during breastfeeding, is it worth interrupting the attachment of the baby to the breast? Lactostasis and stagnation of milk are not considered contraindications for continuing natural feeding, on the contrary, the more often the mother puts the baby on, the faster the problem can be solved.

Doctors advise to interrupt feeding with the development of a purulent form of mastitis. If it is possible to maintain lactation (in non-advanced forms, when antibiotics can be dispensed with without surgery), then feeding is resumed after a course of treatment. For the duration of therapy, it is necessary to express and pour milk with an admixture of pus until the symptoms of the disease subside and the doctor allows the baby to be applied again to the glands.

An examination by a doctor will help to identify the cause of the problem.

Complex treatment

It is necessary to start treatment of seals in the mammary gland formed during breastfeeding as early as possible, and a complex effect is required for the early onset of the results of therapy. It is necessary to take measures to eliminate lumps within 12 hours after their discovery, so as not to worsen the state of health and not provoke the development of an infectious process.

In the absence of temperature and pronounced pain, a nursing mother can independently try to get rid of seals, deciphering stagnation and completely freeing the clogged gland from milk. There are a number of handy ways to do this.

Proper preparation

Before starting the fight against lumps, the gland needs to be prepared. It is preferable to take a warm shower or compress so that the chest becomes soft and the swelling of the tissue subsides a little. Then the place of compaction should be slightly kneaded. You can not resort to this technique if a woman has a fever and there is a suspicion of a neglected form of lactostasis. It is not known what the level of inflammation in the affected gland is, therefore, one should not take risks (heating and kneading it) in such a situation.

Frequent application

The most effective way is for the breast lump to dissolve during lactation. If you increase the frequency of attachment to the gland at the very beginning of the development of lactostasis, it is possible that other treatment measures will not even be needed. Before breastfeeding, a small amount of milk should be expressed to make the breast softer and easier for the baby to suckle.

The main rule for effective resorption of the crumb seal is that it be opposite his chin. Thus, by directing the baby's lower jaw to the place of stagnation, you can quickly get rid of it. True, sometimes the positions for feeding will not be very comfortable, but the mother must master all the positions so that the baby empties her breasts qualitatively and dissolves problem areas.

How to express properly?

How can a nursing mother remove seals in the mammary gland during lactation, if not with the help of competent pumping? The technique is not difficult if performed correctly, with smooth movements without sharp pressure and active massaging. To break the lumps, you need to perform the following algorithm:

• before pumping, you need to thoroughly wash your hands and chest, prepare the glands with a warm shower or compress;
• the chest is wrapped in a special way - the thumb should be opposite the other four. So if it is located on the left side of the gland, then four fingers lie on the right side;
• pressure is made not on the chest, but on the edges of the areola, it needs to be pressed a little;
• the seal that is located under the thumb will break;
• when milk flow stops, you should do a little massage and try to continue pumping;
• you should not break only lumps in the gland, you need to empty the entire chest.

Advice! After the milk has been expressed, a cool compress can be applied to the chest so that lactation is not too active, it is also better not to drink liquids during this period.

This is a reliable and proven method of dealing with seals in the mammary glands during feeding. Previously, women were advised to apply vodka and alcohol compresses to their breasts, but doctors do not recommend doing this. When heated, if there is a risk of developing purulent mastitis, the reproduction of pathogenic microbes is activated, due to which simple lactostasis can lead to infection of the gland. There are several options for compresses:

• cabbage leaf - before applying to the gland, the leaf needs to be beaten off a little so that the juice stands out, it should be kept all night until the leaf softens and gives up all the liquid;
• grated carrots and beets - a gruel of vegetables is applied to the hardened gland and kept for 2-3 hours, laid out on gauze and covered with a layer of cotton fabric;
• baked onions with linseed oil and honey - such a gruel will help remove seals if you apply it to your chest for several hours;
• rye flour flatbread with milk and melted butter.

During the day, you can use the anti-inflammatory and antiseptic agent Malavit for compresses. It will help prevent infection, disinfect and relieve pain.

Other Methods

In addition to the listed ways to get rid of lumps, doctors may advise the following during feeding:

• undergo a course of physiotherapy (in the absence of temperature and symptoms of purulent mastitis) - ultrasound, electrophoresis, microwave therapy;
• apply Arnica and Traumeel ointment for resorption of lumps after consulting a doctor;
• make compresses from chilled cottage cheese or honey with wheat flour;
• use a breast pump if the baby cannot cope with a large amount of milk and is not able to empty the chest well.

It is important to feed the baby at night, so that the lumps do not harden over a long period of rest. Feed should first be from a diseased breast, and only then give the child a healthy one. Emptying the gland completely is not necessary so that the unaffected breast also does not suffer from blockage of the ducts.

What treatment is contraindicated in lactostasis?

To prevent lactostasis from turning into mastitis, certain actions should be avoided during treatment:

• do not apply warm compresses based on vodka and alcohol - ethyl alcohol inhibits the production of the hormone oxytocin, which contributes to easy emptying of the mammary gland. The ducts will be narrowed, the baby will not be able to fully suck out milk, and lactostasis will worsen;
• do not do hot compresses and do not take a hot bath if mastitis is suspected, when a woman has a high temperature;
• do not use aggressive massage techniques with strong pressure on the chest, so as not to injure the milk ducts and not provoke the appearance of new lumps.

Carefully! Breast massage will be effective only at the initial stage of lactostasis, when there are no signs of mastitis yet. With an increase in temperature and purulent discharge from the nipples, exposure to the gland can lead to rupture of the sac with pus and dangerous complications.

Massage is permissible only at the initial stage of lactostasis

Prevention of lactostasis

So that seals in the breast during breastfeeding do not disturb the young mother, she must follow a number of simple rules:

• you can’t breastfeed in the same position - every 2-3 applications you need to change the position for high-quality emptying of the gland;
• rest and get enough sleep - after the next feeding, you should lie down for 15-20 minutes, and not be taken immediately to household chores;
• drink at least 1.5-2 liters of fluid per day and eat a balanced diet, especially in the hot season;
• consult a doctor immediately if you find suspicious signs - seals, chest pain, fever and purulent discharge from the nipples.

By paying special attention to her health, a woman will be able to keep her breasts healthy and continue feeding up to 1.5-2 years, as most pediatricians recommend.

Compaction in the mammary gland during breastfeeding is familiar, perhaps, to every mother. Some often experience this phenomenon, others very rarely or never at all. But it is always unpleasant and painful. Hard breasts with HS appear when milk stagnates in it.

A cork is formed, which blocks the exit of constantly formed milk. Next - tissue swelling, redness, soreness, fever. These may be symptoms of lactostasis or a more dangerous disease - bacterial mastitis.

Causes of seals in the mammary gland in a nursing mother

1. Too long breaks between feedings. Without constant movement, milk stagnates in the breast.
2. Feeding in the same position. In certain, unused areas, milk stagnation occurs.
3. Unsuitable underwear, excessively squeezing the mammary glands.
4. Use of pacifiers and feeding bottles. The baby prefers them and does not have time to empty the mother's breast.
5. Increased viscosity of milk. This happens when you eat too much fatty foods.
6. Pumping after each feeding, which is highly recommended by our mothers and grandmothers. When feeding on demand, this is not necessary.
7. In some women, the appearance of a seal in the chest with HB can appear even with a change in weather, temperature changes, and overwork.

Seals in the mammary glands during feeding - treatment

First of all, don't stop feeding. Stagnant milk is most effectively removed by the child. Offer the breast to the baby more often, change positions. Best of all, he sucks milk from the area indicated by his chin. This is what you should be aiming for. For example, if there is tightness in the chest in the armpit, feed the baby from under the arm, etc. Be sure to apply the baby at night to avoid too long breaks. In most cases, this helps and lactostasis disappears within one day.

If the measures taken were not enough, then you will have to additionally express the breast. We describe in detail the sequence of actions:

1. Apply a warm compress to the problem area, such as a cloth soaked in hot water. You can just take a hot bath or shower. Important: is it impossible to warm the chest at elevated body temperature?
2. Lubricate the skin with baby oil and gently massage the seal towards the nipple.
3. Express milk, paying special attention to the affected area. It is good to breastfeed the baby immediately afterwards.
4. To reduce swelling, apply a cold compress for 5-7 minutes.
5. Traditional medicine also helps a lot. For example, cabbage leaf compresses, honey cake with rye flour. From pharmaceutical preparations, Traumeel C cream and Arnica herbal ointment can be advised.

It is impossible to smear the mammary glands with such means as Vishnevsky's ointment, camphor, alcohol. They do not increase the outflow of milk, strong-smelling, which may be the reason for the baby's refusal to breastfeed. Also, don't limit your drinking. After all, milk production does not depend on the amount of liquid taken, but on breast stimulation.

If the seal in the breast of a nursing mother does not disappear within two days and the body temperature rises, then you should immediately consult a doctor. This may be the beginning of a dangerous disease - mastitis, complicated by an abscess. The doctor will definitely prescribe antibiotics that are compatible with breastfeeding. Sometimes an abscess can only be treated with surgery.

Any seal in the chest during feeding should not be ignored. But you shouldn't panic either. Follow the tips above and stay healthy!