Milk stasis

Stagnation of milk is a process that occurs in the ducts of the mammary glands. This is a fairly common phenomenon called lactostasis. It is often confused with the initial stage of the inflammatory process directly in the mammary gland, called mastitis.

As a rule, when milk is stagnant, the formation of a painful compaction in the breast is observed. Over this seal, the skin turns red and becomes very sensitive. But the milky duct itself is not clogged at all. In fact, the tissue of the mammary gland in the area of the duct swells, exerting pressure on it.

The present obstruction of the milk ducts is very rare at the present time, and it requires obligatory long-term treatment. Sometimes nursing mothers notice a small spot of white on the tip of the nipple. It is a sign that the duct is blocking the growing skin cells.

But this problem is eliminated quite easily. To do this, carefully gently prick a sterile needle or clean nail surface of the formed white speck. It is better to do this after breastfeeding, when the nipple becomes softer on the nipple.

Stagnant milk is often observed when the milk duct is blocked by a clot of milk. The main reason for this is poor drainage of the breast during feeding. When the milk is produced much faster than the baby requires, it accumulates directly into the breast tissue.

In this case, compaction and entanglement occur. This part of the mammary gland is characterized by redness, soreness. It becomes hot to the touch. When even a small amount of milk enters the bloodstream, the body temperature rises and chills begin. These signs indicate mastitis.

Stagnant milk has symptoms similar to colds. Just for the organism of a nursing mother, breast milk becomes nothing else than an alien protein. And as a consequence, the immune system struggles with it.

There are some tips that need to be followed when there are symptoms of a similar phenomenon. First, your baby will become your assistant. Try to apply it to your chest as often as possible, and he will suck this hearth. If the child does not cope, apply a breast pump, after decoding which will be relief.

Stagnation of milk, the treatment of which must be carried out immediately after the appearance of the first signs, requires timely diagnosis to avoid the development of mastitis. So, at the first manifestations, apply to the breast fresh cabbage leaves, which must be changed regularly as they wilt. They are able to cool the inflamed places and calm the chest.

It is important to reduce the flow to the place of milk stagnation. For this, for a few minutes it is recommended to apply a cool diaper to the breast. But it should be noted that it is very important not to overcool the breast, it will only worsen the condition.

When there is a stagnation of milk in a nursing mother, in no case should you apply warming compresses to your chest, and also massage painful areas. In the absence of a positive effect within two days after the application of the above methods, you should immediately consult with a specialist.

If it is not timely to resort to treatment, then this is fraught with serious consequences, in particular the development of mastitis. From the usual stagnation of milk, it is different in that the inflammatory process in the chest continues, and relief does not come, despite feeding and pumping.

It is important to remember that mastitis is much more serious than stagnant milk. And self-treatment here will not be enough. In addition, it is not just undesirable, but rather contraindicated. And in the absence of treatment, as a rule, purulent inflammation develops, called an abscess.

The course of treatment is prescribed by a doctor after consultation and examination. Mainly - it's medicines, often antibiotics. But there is nothing terrible in this. Since modern medicine allows combining the course of antibiotic treatment with breastfeeding, because new drugs do not harm the baby at all.

The main thing is to follow the recommendations of a qualified specialist, and then the problem will be solved quickly enough, and discomfort will be minimized.