Lump in the breast during breastfeeding

Lactostasis, or stagnation of milk in the breast, is the most common problem among nursing mothers. We will give you some recommendations on how to deal with such a situation. The initial signal of milk stagnation is unpleasant symptoms in the mammary gland area, when any area is painful to touch.

Cost of mammologist services in our clinic

Upon palpation, you may feel a lump or compaction that has formed. Another sign of lactostasis is complete hardening of the breasts. Lobules in the mammary gland can be felt.

The main causes of lumps in the mammary gland during breastfeeding

Stagnation is a phenomenon when the outflow of milk from the breast area stops or is disrupted. It can be due to various reasons, the most common of which are:

1. Long interval when breastfeeding.
2. A monotonous method of “releasing” the mammary gland (as a rule, this occurs during pumping, when due attention is not paid to any area of ​​the breast).
3. Stagnation after a night's rest, when the mother was in an unfavorable position for a long time or lay on her side.
4. A significant reduction in the amount of milk consumed by the child (usually occurs during the period when complementary foods are introduced, at 5-6 months).
5. Blockage of the mammary gland ducts, which is caused by the formation of cracks in sensitive areas - the nipples.

What measures to take if milk stagnation occurs?

Regardless of the reasons for stagnation during breastfeeding, the actions taken should be the following: get rid of stagnant milk, or rather, strain and free the mammary gland from milk. To do this you need:

• Place the baby on the breast where congestion occurs. This should be done so that the area of ​​compaction is located under the lower lip of the newborn. If the lump is in the upper part of the gland, it should be positioned with its feet towards the mother's face.
• Take a hot shower, then, after thoroughly warming up and relaxing, massage the breast area. Then you can express milk directly in the bathroom.

If such measures do not help remove the lump in the breast area, you should contact a local consultation or call an obstetrician-gynecologist at home. To hesitate in this case means to aggravate the situation: the compaction will increase, and after a short time you will not be able to raise your arm due to unbearable pain.

Thrush on the chest

Breastfeeding is a very important process, which is sometimes fraught with difficulties. One possible problem is nipple candidiasis, which can cause discomfort for mother and baby.

Cause of candidiasis

The causative agent of thrush is the fungus Candida albicans. After it penetrates the damaged skin of the nipples, inflammation begins. One of the most common causes of candidiasis is the reaction of the female or child’s body to taking antibiotics. In addition to pathogenic microflora, such drugs also destroy beneficial bacteria, resulting in favorable conditions for the active proliferation of fungi. Often, nipple thrush occurs in parallel with oral candidiasis in infants.

How to treat

Before prescribing a nursing mother a course of drug therapy, the doctor may take a smear to confirm the infection. If the diagnosis of candidiasis is confirmed, the woman will be prescribed antifungal treatment. At the same time, medications will have to be given to the child, since pathogenic microorganisms multiply rapidly, and thrush easily spreads by touching.

Despite the fact that a woman needs to use medications, breastfeeding can and should be continued. This is due to the fact that in mild cases, it is sufficient to use external medications for the lesions, which is carried out after feeding. In advanced forms of candidiasis, mothers may be prescribed medications for systemic use (tablets). In this case, the issue of breastfeeding should be discussed with your doctor.

To prevent the spread of fungal infection during treatment, you must adhere to the following rules:

1. Mom should wash her hands thoroughly after any contact with the mammary glands, changing diapers, or applying medicine to the breast.

2. All family members must use personal towels.

3. Breast pads should be changed as often as possible.

4. All toys, pacifiers, pacifiers, and objects that the baby can put in his mouth must be sterilized or thoroughly washed.

5. Bed linen should be washed at the highest possible temperature, and after drying it should be ironed.

6. If a mother with nipple thrush expresses milk, it should not be given to the baby until the course of therapy has been completed, as there is a risk of re-infection. Low temperatures cannot destroy the fungus, so milk should not be frozen.

Main symptoms of candidiasis

You can suspect the development of thrush based on the characteristic symptoms. There is pain in the nipples or breasts, which does not go away for a long time after feeding. Visually, redness of the skin in the nipple area, rash and peeling are detected, and itching is disturbing.

In children, candidiasis manifests itself in the form of a whitish, cheesy coating on the oral mucosa, which cannot be removed with a napkin. A white film may appear on the lips, and anxiety increases during breastfeeding. In some cases, thrush is accompanied by diaper dermatitis.

If a woman experiences pain in one breast or nipple, an increase in body temperature, or a red spot on one of the mammary glands, she should immediately go to the hospital for examination, since these symptoms are not typical for candidiasis.

Dangerous consequences of lumps in the mammary gland during breastfeeding

Mastitis is the most hated consequence of stagnation. And if mastitis is not treated in time, purulent formations may appear in the mammary gland, which will require surgical intervention.

This means the end of natural feeding. That is why everything must be done to prevent the formation of mastitis. A spontaneous feeling of heat (temperature up to 40 °C) should alert you. The main thing is not to panic and consult a doctor in a timely manner. With the help of physiotherapeutic and ultrasound procedures it will be possible to clear the ducts.

ONLINE REGISTRATION at the DIANA clinic

You can sign up by calling the toll-free phone number 8-800-707-15-60 or filling out the contact form. In this case, we will contact you ourselves.

White dot on the papilla during breastfeeding

Normal lactation does not cause anxiety, discomfort, or pain in women. However, the presence of certain postpartum pathologies contributes to the breasts producing such an amount of milk that the baby is not able to consume. Due to incomplete suction, a white dot appears on the papilla during breastfeeding, indicating a blockage of the duct.

The main cause of the pathology is a clot that impedes the flow of milk through the ducts to the nipple area.

Stagnation of fluid in the mammary glands is fraught with inflammation and the appearance of chest pain.

If during lactation a woman does not seek treatment in a timely manner, she may develop a disease such as mastitis.

The blockage should be removed immediately.

At the first manifestations of the disease, you can remove the white seal on the papilla yourself using standard hygiene procedures.

In case of severe inflammation, swelling, pain, therapeutic inpatient treatment is required.

Why does a white spot appear on the nipples?

The chest has a segmental glandular structure. A milk duct departs from each lobule.

It has several branches, one of which is slightly expanded and goes to the nipple.

One gland has 15-20 exit ducts through which milk moves to the exit. The other side of the duct ends in a special bubble.

A blockage occurs when fluid does not flow properly.

The white dot on the nipple is a plug of stagnant droplets of milk. If the problem is not corrected, lumps of fluid form, causing the breasts to swell, become inflamed and painful.

Prolonged neglect of treatment can cause suppuration of the mammary glands. This pathological condition precludes further feeding.

Reasons for the appearance of a white bubble

Milk stagnation can occur due to:

• incorrect attachment of the baby to the mammary gland;

• large volume of formula in the chest due to long breaks between meals (more than 4 hours);

• improper grip of the nipple by the child's mouth;

• spontaneous cessation of breastfeeding;

• squeezing the breast with your hands when feeding;

• increased milk production when the baby does not eat enough;

• incorrect or incomplete expression of milk;

• pathologies of narrow milk ducts;

• large breasts, which are strongly compressed during each feeding;

• feeding in an awkward position;

• hypothermia of the glands;

• squeezing nipples while sleeping on the stomach, wearing tight underwear;

• traumatization of the areola area;

• thick milk due to insufficient intake of liquid food.

Often a white dot on the nipples appears when a young mother excessively consumes dairy products and foods rich in animal fats.

In this case, the blockage of the ducts is an accumulation of fat deposits or a calcification plug.

How to understand what a white dot is on the nipple

A white dot on the nipple can be recognized by the following signs: the presence of one or more lumps in the mammary gland, increased body temperature, pain when trying to subdue the baby, a periodic feeling of chest fullness, inflammation.

It forms at the end of the duct, so it blocks the release of milk out.

With the start of breastfeeding, the mother’s body is not able to produce the amount of nutrition the baby needs. For some women, the volume of the mixture may be large.

Improper lactation and irregular feeding can cause clots to begin to accumulate in the ducts.

The blockage does not appear immediately.

A woman notices a problem when the baby cannot suck out the newly formed milk.

Milk production only returns to normal over time. Lactation occurs in certain volumes, taking into account the needs of the child.

It would seem that feeding has been established.

However, spontaneously the woman feels “fullness” in her breasts, pain, and upon palpation she feels a small lump.

Subsequent latching of the baby to the breast causes discomfort and pain.

Useful tips for mothers: NURSING HEALTHY AND BEAUTIFUL MOTHER

Nutrition failure can be determined by:

• itching;
• pronounced redness of the area around the areolas;
• high body temperature;
• severe swelling;
• increasing pain;
• the appearance of a white spot on the nipple;
• detection of small lumps in the mammary gland.

In order to promptly stop the development of the disease and eliminate the symptoms, a woman should consult a doctor as early as possible and undergo the prescribed course of therapeutic and restorative therapy.

Preventive measures

• Watch your health. Try to avoid stress, insomnia, and overexertion.

• Choose your bra carefully. It should not squeeze or squeeze the chest.

• Watch your body position while sleeping. Poses “on the stomach”, “on the side” can contribute to compression of the mammary glands.

• Avoid long breaks between feedings.

• Drink at least 2 liters of fluid per day.

• Periodically massage your breasts with light movements. This way you will stimulate the blood circulation process and enhance the passage of milk mixture through the ducts.

• To avoid increased lactation, when expressing, do not completely empty your breasts.

• If there is too much nutrition and the baby cannot suck it all out, express it by hand under a warm shower or using a breast pump.

Be carefull. Do not use compresses made from camphor and alcohol infusions to eliminate the white bubble on the nipple.

Otherwise, the risk of decreased receptor sensitivity responsible for milk production increases. Lactation may stop.

How to clear blocked milk ducts

The most effective way to open the milk ducts is to place the baby on the sore breast.

Initially, it is recommended to warm it up slightly by wrapping it in a warm towel, then massage the area of ​​the nipple and areola with light movements.

It is advisable to express the first drops of milk. The child will actively suck out further secretions.

It is best to choose feeding positions in which the baby's lower jaw will be directed towards the compaction area.

In the correct position, the baby should grasp the areola with the lower jaw.

If a white spot on the nipple is discovered in the evening or at night, take a warm bath.

Hot water will expand the milk ducts, which will facilitate the passage of fluid.

An analogue of a hot shower is warm wraps for the sore mammary gland.

To do this, simply moisten a towel with warm water and apply it to the painful area for 5-7 minutes.

After this time, stimulating massage movements with the edge of the palm are recommended, pushing the fluid to the exit.

There are situations when, after removing the clot, milk comes out in a spray stream.

If a white plug is detected on the nipple, the following are prohibited:

• self-medication;
• frequent pumping;
• rubbing the affected areas of the chest;
• increased kneading of the gland;
• rubbing the affected areas with alcohol solutions.

When the problem cannot be solved at home, you should contact a mammologist.

The doctor uses special tools to remove the plug and clear the duct.

If a woman is not diagnosed with an inflammatory process, treatment is completed.

Only if there is constant failure of milk to pass through, drug therapy (surgical puncture of the bladder, taking anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, lecithin), physiotherapeutic procedures (ultrasonic heating, massage) are prescribed.

Tatiana Vasilyeva

NURSE Mother of two daughters and grandmother of wonderful grandchildren.