How to remove and treat milk stagnation in a nursing mother. What to do first, how to remove and strain milk stagnation

Stagnation of milk when breastfeeding a child is a very common occurrence and is called lactostasis. It occurs due to stagnation of milk in one or more ducts. Doctors say that lactostasis is very dangerous, as it can lead to a disease such as mastitis or even oncology. Any nursing mother has gone through this unpleasant disease at least once. Many mothers are interested in how to identify the first symptoms of the disease and what to do to carry out the correct treatment. This article discusses in detail lactostasis in a nursing mother, the symptoms and treatment of this disease.

Causes

The following reasons can lead to lactostasis:

Frequent pumping: Trying to normalize feeding through constant pumping results in an increase in milk supply. The child may not be able to handle this amount of food. This leads to subsequent stagnation.
Infrequent breastfeeding, introduction of complementary foods: the amount of milk consumed by the child decreases. Some of the milk remains unused and stagnation occurs.
Tight underwear: Constantly wearing a bra or unsuitable underwear in size and shape can compress the milk ducts. This disrupts the normal movement of milk, causing stagnation.
Single breast feeding: Lactation can be uncomfortable for the mother. Therefore, a woman adapts to feed with one breast or in a constant position. This leads to changes in the structure of the gland, which affects the proper passage of milk. Also, the breast does not completely empty.
Increased viscosity of milk: consumption of certain foods, lack of fluid in the body affects the viscosity of milk, and as a result, its permeability.
Incorrect sleeping position: lying on the stomach or on one side causes compression of the mammary glands, which interferes with timely feeding of milk.
Stress: constant tension, chronic fatigue affect the condition of a woman’s entire body. For a nursing mother, it is primarily the breasts that suffer, as spasms occur. They are able to influence the flow of milk.
Hyperlactation: increased milk production that cannot be controlled by feeding or pumping.
Other reasons: a woman’s body is individual. Some nursing mothers notice the appearance of congestion when weather conditions change, hypothermia, or increased physical activity.

What folk remedies are better not to use?

In sources describing how to cope with lactostasis with folk remedies, you can see controversial recommendations aimed at suppressing lactation. For example, drink brewed sage leaf and mint, apply eucalyptus decoction to your chest.

The fact is that such funds have a cumulative effect. Most likely, you will not immediately feel their effect, but later, when lactostasis has already been cured, you may suddenly have less milk. If you are determined to continue breastfeeding your baby, there is hardly any point in taking such risks.

Also, do not heed the advice to limit fluid intake. Milk production decreases only when there is significant dehydration. Keep in mind that from a lack of fluid in the body, milk becomes more viscous, which can aggravate lactostasis. Therefore, a nursing mother should always drink when thirsty.

Why do you need to act quickly?

Stagnation of milk brings a lot of inconvenience to a nursing woman. The chest becomes heavy and painful to touch. If you do not take measures to express milk, the situation will worsen. One of the dangerous symptoms of lactostasis occurs - an increase in temperature.

Body temperature can reach 39 °C. The pain begins to spread from the chest to the shoulders, arms, and neck. The woman feels weakness, chills, and malaise. This indicates the occurrence of an inflammatory process called mastitis. In case of such a disease, you should contact a medical institution for qualified help.

This disease quickly becomes purulent. 2-3 days are enough for this. Body temperature rises to 40 °C. The doctor prescribes a course of antibiotics and stopping breastfeeding.

In severe advanced cases, an operation is performed to open the affected mammary gland, and drainage is installed to get rid of pus. Treatment lasts with the use of anti-inflammatory drugs, daily washing of the abscess, and dressings. This may lead to the prescription of interruption of lactation with the help of medications, which has a bad effect on the child.

Signs of milky stagnation

We figured out what lactostasis is. How to determine that stagnation processes have begun, and how to distinguish “deep stagnation” from mastitis? Let's talk about this too.

The first signs of congestion are as follows:

soreness in the mammary gland, decreasing after pumping or feeding;
seals that hurt on palpation;
a feeling of heaviness, distension in the glandular tissues;
local hyperthermia in the area of compaction.

If no measures are taken, changes occur in the clinic, adding:

heat;
increase in body temperature first to subfebrile, then to febrile levels;
local hyperemia over the compaction.

Pain with lactostasis may be the only sign of stagnation. And not be accompanied by the formation of “lumps”. After feeding, the pain decreases, although the process of sucking by the baby itself is unpleasant and is accompanied by nagging pain.

One of the most common questions from you, dear readers, is how to distinguish lactostasis from mastitis. At the extreme stages of milk stagnation and at the beginning of the development of mastitis, you will not be able to distinguish one pathology from another on your own.

But if you do not have a fever and the pain disappears after feeding, this is milk stagnation. It is the reduction of pain that is characteristic of milk stasis.

If there is an admixture of pus in the milk, streaks of blood, you have a fever, nausea and headache, your breasts are enlarged, there is noticeable extensive redness - this is probably mastitis.

How to strain milk stagnation

The fight against lactostasis should begin with the appearance of the first signs of discomfort. This will prevent complications from occurring.

First of all, you need to realize that natural feeding is beneficial not only for the baby, but also for the mother. A child with a good appetite is the best remedy for stagnation. Regular feeding with complete emptying can ensure good condition of the female breast.

If stagnation occurs, then it is necessary to determine its zone. Feeding position needs to be adjusted according to the location of the congestion. The outflow of milk occurs better in the area of the baby’s lower jaw. Therefore, the child should be placed closer to the stagnation zone in order to quickly eliminate it. You may have to place your baby in a rather uncomfortable position. Use a variety of pillows to minimize discomfort.

Provisions to combat stagnation in various areas:

For congestion in the armpit area: under-arms position.
Congestion from the bottom of the chest: you need to sit the baby facing you.
Lump in the middle of the mammary gland: feeding in a lying position on the side, with the upper breast.
Stagnant process in the upper part: place the baby on a horizontal surface with his feet away from you. Feeding should be done while bending over the baby.

If the baby refuses to accept the breast for feeding, it is necessary to pump in other ways. Some women resort to the help of caring husbands. They can suck out the plug from a woman's breast in a short time. Expressing can also be done either manually or using a breast pump. Before the procedure, it is necessary to relax the mammary gland to improve outflow using various means.

A warm shower will help you express milk. Due to the risk of developing mastitis, you need to monitor the temperature and not make it too high. Shower time reaches 15 minutes. You can use the hydromassage technique. The water pressure should not hit the body too much; movements are made from the periphery to the nipple. You can replace the shower with a warm compress.

Massage technique for milk stagnation

Proper massage can relieve milk stagnation in the early stages. It is best to use the procedure after taking a warm, relaxing shower.

Wash your hands and prepare a rich cream or massage oil. This will help prevent cracks from appearing.
Take the breast in your left hand and begin the procedure with your right. Start massaging your breasts with light, gentle movements around, gradually moving towards the nipple area. Make movements clockwise.
The compaction area is massaged separately. Rub it clockwise. At the same time, each slice in the stagnation zone is worked out especially carefully.
Next you need to pay attention to the nipple. Massaging it must be done extremely carefully and gently.
Then work the muscle cavities.
Repeat the movements for the other breast.
End of the procedure: lean forward and lightly shake your chest.

All massage movements should be gentle. Stroking and rubbing are acceptable. Do not apply rough pressure to the chest area. You can easily tap your chest with your knuckles without causing any pain.

The massage is carried out correctly and effectively if the breasts have become soft, without compaction. Be sure to breastfeed or pump after the massage. In this case, normal milk flow should be observed.

If the effect of self-massage is not observed, then you need to consult a doctor. He will perform medical breast massage and pumping, which will solve the problem.

Decanting in a medical facility

If a woman is unable to cope with milk stagnation on her own, then she should consult a doctor. Using special equipment, he will be able to remove stagnation.

To combat it, physiotherapy is prescribed. It includes ultrasonic exposure to the required area. The ultrasound device gently acts on the ducts, expanding them. Relief for a woman comes after the 2nd procedure. To completely stop the stagnant process, you need to complete a course of 8-10 procedures.

Another effective method is magnetic therapy. The devices AMIT-01, AMT2 AGS are used. The procedure takes a little time, about 5 minutes.

Exercises for stagnation

In addition to massage, you can use special gymnastics. It is designed to normalize milk flow.

Technique:

Bend your elbows and raise them. Rest your forearms on a vertical support. Perform springing movements towards the support and back with the chest area.
The arm of the side where the seal is located must be raised and bent at the elbow. The other hand should gently pull the seal down. Perform springing movements from the support. If the seal slips out, it must be picked up again.

All movements should be comfortable for the body. The result is the elimination of congestion and the release of compactions.

Expressing after procedures

The last stage of home treatment is pumping. It must be produced from the diseased breast.

To facilitate the process, it is necessary to lightly massage the mammary gland at the same time. The milk that comes out may be thicker than usual, which means the duct that is causing the stagnation is clearing. After expressing yourself, it is recommended to feed the baby. This will ensure complete emptying of the breast.

Apply a cool compress after feeding. It will relieve pain and eliminate swelling.

Means to relieve congestion

Traditional recipes will help improve the course of stagnation. Cabbage juice has an anti-inflammatory effect. Apply a slightly torn cabbage leaf to the chest area. Avoid touching the nipple area to prevent digestive problems for your baby. You can try applying a compress of raw potatoes, grated. Mothers also note the effectiveness of honey cakes with rye flour or a compress of low-fat cottage cheese.

Use compresses made from herbal products. Herbal medicines such as Arnica ointment, Malavit, Traumeel S are suitable for this.

These methods are not the main treatment; they only relieve pain in a nursing woman. For severe pain, you can take a painkiller once.

Should I feed a child with lactostasis?

When lactostasis appears, it is necessary to ensure maximum emptying of the mammary gland by frequently applying the baby to the problematic mammary gland, including at night. This is the most effective method of treating milk stagnation.

In order for the area of lactostasis to be freed from stagnation as much as possible and the “milk plug” to be eliminated, certain rules must be followed:

It is important to choose the correct position for feeding so that the area of lactostasis is emptied as much as possible during sucking - the baby is placed so that his chin “points” to the area with lactostasis.
The breasts should be kept warm before feeding.
Immediately before applying the baby to the breast, take a warm shower, directing streams of water onto the breast with lactostasis.
Gently massage the problem area of the breast.
If it is difficult for the baby to suck at the beginning of feeding, express the first streams (without traumatizing the breast).
A baby with stagnant milk is applied to the breast first and often (every 2-2.5 hours).
Establish the optimal feeding regimen.
If the cause of lactostasis is nipple abnormalities (inverted and flat), it is recommended to use special nipple shields when feeding the baby.

If there is a possibility of a reflex spasm, a nursing mother needs proper rest, sleeping on her side, wearing loose underwear and clothes.

What can't you do?

Actions during stagnation should not aggravate the situation. Some of them can provoke hyperlactation, which should be excluded.

To avoid increased milk secretion, avoid:

Express milk immediately after finishing feeding your baby.
Stopping natural feeding even if there is stagnation.
Expressing at night from 2 to 8 o'clock.
Warming the breasts between feedings.
Reducing fluid intake.
Using alcohol compresses.

Prevention

Stagnation can be prevented by following a number of simple rules:

Breastfeed regularly.
Feed as soon as the baby demands.
Monitor your body position while feeding. Change feeding positions often.
Don't take a long break between feedings. It is optimal if the interval does not exceed 3-4 hours.
Pump 2-3 times a day.
Choose the right and comfortable underwear.
Don't overcool your chest.
Eliminate or reduce stressful situations.
Follow a diet during lactation. Eliminate spicy and fatty foods, sweets. Food should not be hot.
Do not switch your baby to artificial feeding too early.

Milk stagnation in a nursing mother is a severe painful condition. It interferes with lactation and can lead to serious complications. The best way to get rid of lactostasis is proper feeding of the child. Regular natural emptying of the breast is one of the most effective preventive measures that will relieve a young mother from congestion.

In what situations is treatment at home unacceptable?

If within 24 hours, despite the measures taken, you feel worse and worse.
If you don't feel better in two days.
If you feel fine, but the lump in your breast has not resolved within a week.

Consult a doctor - a mammologist, and if this is not possible, then an obstetrician-gynecologist. Sometimes pediatricians also undertake to treat lactostasis. In case of complications such as mastitis, you may also need to consult a surgeon.

Happy breastfeeding to you!

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