Causes of lactostasis. What is lactostasis? Why does congestion occur in the mammary gland and how to get rid of it? Is it possible to breastfeed with lactostasis: position for feeding

Expectant mothers look forward to the moment when they can put their baby to the breast. In the process of feeding, a special connection is established with the child. However, long-awaited feeding does not always bring pleasure. This is due to lactostasis, the symptoms of which are very unpleasant. In this condition, milk stagnation occurs in the breast. The delay is affected by blockage of the mammary gland ducts, as well as spasms of the excretory duct. Typically, this condition is observed when lactation is established, when more milk comes in than the baby can consume.

If lactostasis occurs, it is necessary to take emergency measures to reduce stagnation, otherwise breastfeeding may abruptly stop. What warning signs should moms watch out for? We will answer the question and tell you about the causes of stagnation and symptoms.

Why does milk stagnation occur?

Symptoms of lactostasis in a mother often occur during the first breastfeeding. During this period, the flow of milk has not yet been established. Stagnant formations can occur under the influence of certain factors. Breastfeeding experts believe that the occurrence of lactostasis can be influenced by both the anatomical features of the nursing mother and improper actions to establish lactation.

Anatomical causes of lactostasis

Most often, lactostasis occurs precisely because of the structural features of the mammary glands in a nursing woman.

With increased secretion of breast milk, stagnation may occur. With this phenomenon, much more nutrient fluid is produced than the child needs. The baby, due to his age, cannot cope with such an influx, which affects the condition of the breast. Normalization of lactation usually occurs by the end of the first month of a child’s life.
If the ducts of the mammary glands are narrow, and the child does not make any effort to “extract” milk, then stagnation may form.
With a special breast structure, problems with lactation also arise. These signs include large breasts and flat nipples. In the latter case, the child often cannot grasp the nipple during sucking.

External factors leading to stagnation

Lactostasis can occur due to improper actions of a nursing mother or the negative influence of external factors.

If the baby is not attached correctly, the baby cannot fully grasp the nipple, which leads to a violation of the sucking regime. It is necessary to ensure that the areola of the nipple is completely in the child’s mouth, and his lower lip is turned out.
The formation of stagnation is affected by a long break between feedings. Often inexperienced mothers do not feed their baby at night. Namely, it is during this period that the greatest influx of milk is observed.
When the chest is compressed, congestion often occurs. This phenomenon is observed when wearing tight underwear or incorrect posture during sleep.
If the mammary gland has been injured, this increases the risk of lactostasis.
During severe hypothermia or a cold, unpleasant symptoms may appear.
Excessive physical activity and stressful situations may interfere with the outflow of fluid.

The mechanism of lactostasis formation

After childbirth, the process of producing breast milk begins. The body is not yet configured to produce the amount of fluid needed for the child. Therefore, on the third day, mother begins to feel increased hot flashes. The child, due to his age, cannot cope with large volumes. His demands during this period are meager.

Under such pressure, the mammary glands do not have time to work in the correct mode. Therefore, they are often overcrowded. If a lactating woman is lactating for the first time, the outflow becomes more difficult. This is influenced by the condition of the ducts. They are characterized by narrowness, tortuosity, and difficult passage.

When the breast is not completely emptied, the pressure on the ducts and lobes increases, and infiltration occurs in the tissues of the glands. As a result, compactions, a painful condition, and stagnation appear. Some of the milk is reabsorbed. This causes a sharp rise in body temperature. With increased blood pressure, milk begins to be produced more slowly, which negatively affects the state of lactation.

If lactostasis is not noticed in time and treatment is not started, then the production and flow of milk stops. Then it’s worth talking about completed breastfeeding.

Symptoms of lactostasis

Breastfeeding experts have identified signs of lactostasis that should alert a nursing woman. To detect them, a woman should get into the habit of examining her breasts daily after giving birth. In addition to the external examination, it is necessary to carry out palpation in order to identify negative changes.

If lactostasis occurs, the breasts of a nursing mother:

increases in size - the degree of increase is assessed in comparison with a healthy mammary gland without lactostasis;
turns red, this is observed in stagnant places, the temperature of the affected area rises.

During palpation, a woman can also notice changes. It is necessary to carry out palpation in the direction from the periphery to the nipple. In normal condition, a nursing woman's breasts are filled evenly. Lactostasis is detected in the presence of:

In addition to the above, disturbances in the general condition of the body are observed.

When lactostasis occurs, body temperature rises sharply to high levels (38–39 °C).
A woman may feel symptoms of intoxication in the body.
There is discomfort in the breast area. Among these manifestations, chest distension and a feeling of pressure at the site of congestion are noted.
There is difficulty in releasing milk. Sometimes it stops completely.
Milk changes its taste. It may become salty and thick.
With lactostasis, pain occurs. In this case, not only the chest, but also other nearby organs may hurt.

An important point is the diagnosis of lactostasis. Many mothers, seeing changes in their bodies, begin to attribute non-existent diagnoses to themselves. If there is a change in the color and consistency of the milk, then it is too early to talk about lactostasis. After all, these parameters can be influenced by the mother’s consumption of certain foods. Therefore, a comprehensive assessment of the body’s condition is important to make a correct diagnosis. Typically, lactostasis is characterized precisely by the combination of all signs.

Actions in case of lactostasis

If symptoms of lactostasis appear, you should consult a doctor or breastfeeding specialist. They will give recommendations on how to eliminate signs of congestion and reduce pain. Before consultation, you can independently reduce unpleasant symptoms.

To eliminate milk accumulation, it is necessary to massage the breasts while pumping. Excess fluid is removed from the periphery to the center of the nipple using rubbing and stroking movements.
You can relax the duct using spiral movements.
You can eliminate congestion using a breast pump. However, hand expression allows you to control the extent of the process and also makes it more gentle. In addition, the nodes are felt by hand. It is worth remembering that if you have cracked nipples, you should not use a breast pump. This not only injures the nipple even more, but also creates the risk of blood entering the milk. It is necessary to express until the breast is completely emptied.
During the period of the most active production of prolactin - at night - you should not perform the pumping procedure. After this, the tides may become even stronger.
It is necessary to limit fluid intake during lactostasis.
To ease the condition of the breast, you need to put the baby to it more often.
You can reduce breast swelling with a warm shower.
Traditional medicine suggests the use of compresses with cabbage leaves, honey and rye flour, as well as a standard water compress. You can relieve inflammation with herbal chamomile tea.
To prevent lactostasis, it is recommended to put the baby to the breast more often and not take long breaks between feedings. It is also necessary to wear underwear without compressive structures.

Lactostasis can appear suddenly and affect breastfeeding. Sometimes it leads to its complete cessation. Therefore, it is necessary to prepare in advance for the start of breastfeeding so that the process brings only pleasure.

One of the most pressing problems worrying women during breastfeeding is lactostasis. Lactostasis is the pathological stagnation of breast milk due to its excessive production and incomplete emptying during feeding.

In the initial stages, stagnation does not pose a threat to the life and health of a nursing mother. The danger arises in advanced forms, when there is a high risk of infection and signs of mastitis. To prevent this, it is important to prevent milk stagnation every day and recognize the first symptoms of pathology in time.

Etiology of the disease

The main mechanism for the occurrence of lactostasis is stagnation of breast milk in nursing mothers due to incomplete emptying of the mammary glands after feeding. This creates favorable conditions for the penetration and reproduction of pathogenic microorganisms and the addition of infection.

Important! During breastfeeding, the nipple areolas are inevitably damaged, which leads to cracks and microtraumas in young mothers. These skin lesions become a gateway for infection to enter the thoracic ducts. One of the ways to prevent mastitis during lactostasis and stagnation is daily treatment of skin lesions in the chest area with antiseptic solutions and special creams.

The immediate causes of lactostasis are (what should not be done):

Complete refusal of the baby or the mother herself to breastfeed, especially when the nursing mother does not express breast milk.
Irregular, unsystematized breastfeeding: skipping feedings, formula feeding in the first months of life, feeding the baby by the hour and not “on demand,” which is not recommended.
Incorrect attachment of the newborn to the breast during feeding.
Refusal of a nursing mother to express milk after each feeding, especially in the first and second months of the baby’s life, when milk consumption is less than the volume of production. This also cannot be done.

In the first month after discharge from the maternity hospital, milk production occurs in excess, since the production of hormones occurs in a chaotic, unsystematized manner. At this time, the baby consumes less milk than is produced by the mammary glands, which predisposes to the appearance of signs of lactostasis. Expressing milk after each feeding is the only way to prevent milk stagnation in nursing mothers.

Pathogenesis

Milk residues accumulate in the ducts, causing pressure to build up. The skin and subcutaneous tissue swell, a dense infiltrate appears in one of the breasts, painful on palpation. These conditions predispose the patient to infection, which makes the situation even worse.

Part of the milk is absorbed back into the bloodstream, which increases the fever and causes severe symptoms and signs of intoxication. From the moment the inflammation, swelling and rise in temperature develop, they no longer talk about lactostasis, but about the development of mastitis.

Inspection and diagnostics

Diagnosing stagnation is not difficult. The doctor makes a diagnosis only on the basis of the patient’s symptoms and complaints, as well as a thorough examination of the gland to identify signs of stagnation.

First of all, the nipple areola is examined to identify cracks and other damage, since this is the main gate of infection. The mammary gland itself is externally swollen, the skin is hyperemic. Then the doctor performs palpation: first in the upper and then in the lower quadrants. In this case, dense, painful infiltrates are detected in one or several areas.

Additional examination methods are prescribed if there are signs of developing mastitis. To do this, a woman needs to undergo a whole range of laboratory and instrumental examination methods:

A general blood test, where characteristic inflammatory changes occur, makes it possible to establish the bacterial or viral nature of the associated infection.
A general urine test to determine the degree of intoxication and the severity of the patient’s general condition.
A biochemical blood test, where attention is paid to the protein composition, after which the degree of inflammatory dysproteinemia is determined.
Ultrasound examination of the mammary glands. This is an alternative to X-ray examination - mammography, which cannot be performed on nursing mothers. Ultrasound allows you to assess the density and size of the infiltrate, and also allows you to promptly suspect the addition of complications, in particular a breast abscess. Conclusion Ultrasound is the main criterion for the severity of mastitis, by which the advisability of starting antibiotic therapy is judged.
In case of a serious condition, the patient's blood is taken for sterility for timely detection of septic complications.

What to do to prevent lactostasis

Conservative treatment is limited to preventing milk stagnation and creating an outflow in case of lactostasis.

The most effective way to prevent stagnation is timely feeding of the baby “on demand.” Many nursing mothers adhere to the “clockwise” feeding system, which is not recommended. There is no need to wake up or disturb the child in order to feed him. He will wake up on his own when he is hungry. In this case, feeding is most effective, since a hungry baby will suck more than a full one, which will prevent stagnation of excess milk in the mammary glands.

After each feeding, especially in the first month, a nursing mother needs to express milk from the breast from which the baby recently fed. This is an important procedure that is necessary to prevent lactostasis.

What to do if lactostasis has already developed

When the first symptoms of lactostasis appear, a woman should inform the gynecologist who is seeing her and receive all the necessary recommendations from him.

In the first days, “non-drug” treatment is prescribed so as not to spoil the quality of breast milk in a nursing mother. To do this, the patient is recommended to express herself daily. To facilitate the outflow of secretions from the mammary glands, before each feeding and pumping, a woman should make local warm compresses in the area of the affected gland. Warming up makes feeding easier and more efficient.

The following techniques will help warm up your chest:

Warming the chest with warm water in the shower.
Warming the chest with a towel previously soaked in warm water.
Warming compresses on the chest (for example, from cabbage leaves).

After warming up, they begin feeding the baby. If the baby has not sucked all the milk, the ducts of the mammary gland are emptied as much as possible by pumping.

Important! Since pumping during lactostasis is difficult, a special massage technique is used to help relax and expand the excretory ducts. The patient can learn more about this massage technique from the nurse or doctor at the antenatal clinic.

And now all the suffering is behind us: contractions, pain, childbirth... And what lies ahead is only the joy of happy motherhood, and nothing can stop you from enjoying this moment. Or maybe?

No matter how sad it is, everything is just beginning. After the birth of a child, a young mother faces a lot of problems, and milk stagnation may be one of them. Why does it appear and what to do with lactostasis in a nursing mother?

Causes

Lactostasis is stagnation of milk in the ducts, caused by partial emptying of one or more ducts of the mammary gland. It cannot arise spontaneously.

There are a number of reasons that cause such a painful phenomenon.

Incorrect attachment of the baby to the breast. Very often, young mothers do not pay attention to how the baby takes the breast. This is a big mistake. You need to carefully monitor the correct grip of the nipple. If you have no experience and it is not clear how to feed, then you need to consult an obstetrician or a breastfeeding specialist.
Feeding in one position. The mammary glands need uniform emptying. If you put the baby to the breast in one position for a long time, then it will empty only part of the ducts, and the rest will become clogged.
Night rest on your stomach. Improper sleep can also be one of the causes of lactostasis. In general, it is not recommended to sleep with your back up, and for those who like to rest on their side, milk will arrive only in those lobes of the breast that are located under the armpits.
Pressure on the chest. This can happen when the nipple is squeezed during feeding. You can often see mothers holding their breasts with their fingers folded like scissors. By doing this, they interfere with the proper release of milk. Also, incorrectly selected underwear can cause squeezing of the ducts.
Lack of fluid. When drinking water in small volumes, the milk becomes viscous, and the baby will not have enough strength to suck it out.
Bottle feeding. Little suns like this process. Milk flows out of the nipple without much effort, and the baby does not have to “work” to get it. The only consequence of complementary feeding can be a refusal to breastfeed; the baby will simply be too lazy to do so.
Chest damage. This could be a blow, after which swelling will appear, cracks in the nipple from improper attachment, or hypothermia. During breastfeeding, women need to pay special attention to the health of their breasts.
Hyperlactation. This can be provoked by regular pumping. The child eats the amount he needs, if after feeding “every last drop is removed” from the breast, milk production will increase, and this is an inevitable path to gland blockage.
Stress and fatigue. This has a negative effect on the entire body. Young mothers should try to have a good rest and not be nervous (and the worries can be transferred to dad for a couple of hours).

Symptoms

The very first sign of lactostasis in a nursing mother is the appearance of lumps or small balls in the breast. Redness is observed on the surface. The mammary glands swell, and the venous pattern on the skin is clearly visible. Touching the breast becomes very painful.

Possible complications

If you do not pay attention to the symptoms of lactostasis in time, your body temperature will soon rise to 38°. Against this background, general weakness will be noted, as well as, possibly, the appearance of chills and nausea.

If the mark on the thermometer is above 38.5°, this may indicate the onset of non-infectious mastitis. If chest pain and fever persist for three days, you should immediately consult a doctor.

If there are cracks on the nipples, then perhaps an infection has already joined the stagnation, which means that the young mother has been overtaken by infectious mastitis. When inflammation is advanced, a purulent sac forms - an abscess. Its removal will require surgery.

In case of improperly treated mastitis, a breast cyst may be diagnosed after a few years.

How to breastfeed with lactostasis

Under no circumstances should you stop feeding! With lactostasis, the breasts need to be completely emptied, and nothing can do this as well as a baby’s small mouth.

With an advanced disease, it will be difficult for the baby to suck at first, but you can help him if you express a little milk before starting feeding. A cloth soaked in warm water will also help. It needs to be applied to the area with lumps for 15-20 minutes, and then offer the breast to the little savior.

You need to feed from clogged ducts more often. The best option would be to apply it every one and a half to two hours. But do not forget about healthy breasts, otherwise, without emptying, you will soon notice signs of lactostasis on them too.

There is a rule in obstetrics: which part of the chest the newborn’s chin rests on when feeding, from those lobes he sucks the milk best. Based on this, you can choose comfortable positions in which the baby will independently help the mother get rid of “milk plugs.”

The following provisions are considered the most effective:

Jack. Mom and baby lie on the bed on their sides in opposite directions. In this position, the baby sucks milk from the upper lobules of the mammary gland.
Soccer ball . The baby lies on a pillow, and the breast is offered from under the arm. The baby's legs are near the mother's back. This pose is also for sucking the upper area.
On mom's belly. And this position helps empty the lower ducts. The baby is placed on the mother's stomach and given the breast.

Treatment

To get rid of milk stagnation in a nursing mother, medication should not be used. You can cope with this scourge on your own.

There are two ways to empty the milky lobule:

Manual. You need to carry out such a procedure in complete calm. Before you begin, you need to warm up your chest with a warm heating pad or lotion, or take a shower. It is very important to take a comfortable position: squat down and lean forward so that one hand rests on the floor. With the other hand, grab the breast so that four fingers are on the bottom and the thumb is on top, and place them on the border of the skin and areola. Milk should be expressed very carefully, avoiding strong compression of the ducts. If everything is done correctly, the milk should come out in strong, even streams;
With a breast pump. A very useful and convenient device, but it is better to use it after manual expression and getting rid of seals.

In order not to cause hyperlactation, pumping should be done carefully, but no more than three times a day. At night, it is better to avoid such actions and leave the breast to the baby.

Compresses

Traditional medicine methods have always interested humanity. And to the question of how to cure lactostasis in a nursing mother, there has long been an answer: compresses help! Making them is not at all difficult, and the positive effect will not take long to appear.

Keep any of the compresses for at least 15 minutes.

Cabbage leaf. It should be cooled, mashed a little until the juice appears and applied to the seals on the chest.
Honey cake. Mix flour with honey to form a tight dough, shape it into a flat cake and place it on problem areas. If desired, flour can be replaced with chopped onions.
Cottage cheese. It is better to use a low-fat product. Cool and apply to chest.

For lactostasis, the use of alcohol or vodka compresses is contraindicated. They impair the flow of milk, and this can lead to bad consequences.

Ointments

Having discovered the first symptoms of milk stagnation, a nursing mother should replenish her home first aid kit:

Solution "Malavit" relieves discomfort in the chest. A cotton pad moistened with infusion should be placed on the chest and not removed until the next feeding.
Cream "Traumel S" is no less effective. It relieves inflammation and pain, and also restores damaged areas of the skin. During the day, it is necessary to lubricate problem areas at least four times.

You should forget about Vishnevsky ointment. In the fight against this disease, she is on the enemy's side.

Massage

It is very important to learn how to properly massage your breasts during lactostasis. Too active massage is contraindicated, as injury may occur, which will only aggravate the situation.

You need to knead the breast from the outer area towards the nipple. Movements should be spiral-shaped, smooth and stroking. This will help break up milk stagnation.

If the massage procedure is too painful, then it is better to carry it out under a warm shower, alternating with pumping.

Physiotherapy

It is easier to get rid of lactostasis if you use complex control methods. To do this, you can visit a specialist who will prescribe physiotherapy. Such procedures have a positive effect on getting rid of congestion.

Most often, the doctor prescribes:

Ultrasound. The effect is noticeable after the first visit. But if two procedures are over, and the result is zero, then there is no point in continuing.
Magnets and Amplipulse. Absolutely safe devices that do not affect the composition of milk and the level of lactation. A couple of procedures will be enough for a visible effect.

When to see a doctor

If lumps and lumps are detected in a timely manner, as well as with proper self-treatment, there is no need to seek help from a specialist. But it also happens that complications arise, and then you cannot do without a doctor.

You should visit a mammologist if:

high temperature does not decrease for more than three days;
There are more and more lumps in the chest every day.

There is no need to be afraid. An experienced specialist will immediately examine the breasts, give a referral for an ultrasound scan and prescribe the correct and safe treatment compatible with breastfeeding.

Prevention

To make motherhood happy and not have to wonder in the future: how to treat milk stagnation in a nursing mother, it is important to follow preventive measures:

During feeding, change positions to ensure uniform emptying of the mammary glands.
Give the baby food as soon as he or she demands it, even at night.
Do not hold or squeeze the breast while feeding.
Wear comfortable underwear.
Do not pump after each time your baby is put to the breast.
Sleep on your back.
Avoid hypothermia and bruises.
Stop using pacifiers and bottles.
Eat well and drink enough fluids.
Relax and don't be nervous.

You should not take feeding your baby and your own health lightly. After all, if you detect the onset of the disease in time, you can avoid many consequences.

Video

From our video you will learn how to quickly get rid of lactostasis.

Lactostasis (from Latin lac - milk and Greek stasis - stagnation) is a violation of lactation, stagnation of milk, resulting from excessive milk production by the gland and/or decreased patency of the excretory duct of the mammary glands.

Source: nazdorovie.info

Lactation is a complex neuroendocrine process, in the occurrence and maintenance of which many organs and systems of the female body take part. Lactostasis most often occurs during a period when a balance has not yet been achieved between the capabilities of the excretory pathways and the productivity of the secretory parts of the mammary glands that synthesize milk during lactation. The alveoli, in which milk is secreted, are located at different depths, each of them is connected to the nipple by the milk ducts. Milk is released through a system of ducts to the nipple, in which the lacteal sinuses open. If the process of milk removal from the alveoli is disrupted, milk stagnation occurs in a certain segment of the mammary gland, and a so-called milk plug is formed. The gland tissue in the area of stagnation swells and infiltrates, thickening and soreness appear. Pressure in the ducts and lobules of the mammary gland increases, which inhibits further lactation.

Under unfavorable circumstances, lactostasis transforms into mastitis.

Lactostasis is a common pathology of the postpartum period; every third breastfeeding woman experiences temporary disruption of milk flow.

Causes of lactostasis

refusal to breastfeed a child;
premature weaning of the child;
infrequent feedings, limiting the frequency or duration of sucking, long breaks between feedings;
narrowness and tortuosity of the milk ducts, due to the physiological characteristics of the body;
anatomical features of the nipple structure, inverted or flat nipples;
incomplete emptying of the breast due to sagging of its lower part with large mammary glands;
excess milk production due to hyperlactation;
incorrect technique for attaching to the breast, incorrect position of the child when feeding, incorrect grip of the nipple by the child;
feeding in the same position;
compression of some areas of the mammary glands during feeding;
cracked nipples;
lethargy of the baby's sucking;
regular unnecessary pumping;
tight clothing, wearing a bra that is too tight;
habit of sleeping on the stomach, squeezing the mammary gland during sleep during breastfeeding;
excess animal fats in the diet of a nursing mother;
mechanical injuries of the mammary gland;
dehydration, insufficient drinking regimen;
history of mastopathy;
inadequate rest, nervous tension, frequent stressful situations, provoking vascular spasms and narrowing of the ducts.

To improve the flow of milk from the mammary glands, it is recommended to increase the frequency of breastfeeding to the affected breast.

Symptoms of lactostasis

Lactostasis is manifested by the following symptoms:

discomfort, feeling of heaviness, fullness in the mammary gland;
moderate pain when touched;
the appearance of compactions, less often compaction of the entire mammary gland, redness;
local increase in temperature in the area of stasis;
swelling and redness of the affected area, the skin in the affected area becomes tense and shiny;
a pronounced vascular network on the skin of the sore breast;
milk is expressed in a scanty, uneven stream;
change in nipple shape;
slight increase in body temperature;
deterioration of general condition: weakness, chills, headache.

Diagnosis of lactostasis

Diagnosis of lactostasis begins with a physical examination, superficial and deep palpation of the mammary glands, measuring body temperature and collecting a general history. The picture of pregnancy and the lifestyle of the nursing mother are taken into account.

If necessary, the identified signs of lactostasis are examined in detail using laboratory and instrumental diagnostics: general and biochemical blood tests, general urinalysis, ultrasound of the mammary glands.

Treatment of lactostasis

Treatment of lactostasis consists of establishing lactation through the correct feeding and pumping regimen, massage, etc.

It is important to prevent a sharp increase in the amount of milk: reduce to a minimum (no more than 1 liter per day) the amount of fluid consumed during the treatment period. Since drinking warm liquid causes a rush of milk, you should avoid decoctions and teas that increase lactation, and approach first courses with caution.

Pharmacological therapy in the treatment of lactostasis is practically not carried out.

To improve the flow of milk from the mammary glands, it is recommended to increase the frequency of breastfeeding to the affected breast. Feedings are carried out according to the 2:1 principle (two feedings in a row from the affected mammary gland, one from the healthy one). If there is severe pain at the beginning of feeding, the baby should be placed on a healthy breast.

Particular attention should be paid to correcting incorrect attachment and position of the child during feeding. Feeding should be carried out in such a way that the baby's chin is facing towards the formed lump in the mammary gland, since during sucking the lower jaw makes the most active movements that help neutralize the lump. For example, if the duct in the outer lower segment of the breast is affected, the best position for feeding is from under the arm; with this method, the woman is in a semi-recumbent position, leaning on the forearm and thigh. If stagnation of milk has formed in the upper segments of the breast, “jack” feeding is effective, when the baby lies on its side and its legs are placed along the mother’s head. To find a comfortable position, you can use special feeding pillows or other devices. Another way to empty your breasts well is to use moderate compression and massage of the breast in the area of the lump during feeding.

Source: grud.guru

To stimulate the oxytocin reflex, it is allowed to apply a napkin or diaper soaked in moderately warm water to the mammary gland. Expressing under a warm shower or in a warm bath is quite effective.

To facilitate expressing milk, massage of the mammary glands helps, aimed at improving the outflow of breast milk, activating the functioning of the mammary glands, normalizing blood and lymph circulation in the affected area of the mammary gland, and reducing pain. Massage for lactostasis should be done for 5-10 minutes before feeding or pumping, as well as after feeding.

An urgent visit to a doctor is necessary if you experience severe pain, a temperature above 38 °C, or purulent discharge from the nipple.

During the massage, the mammary gland is raised, retracted slightly to the side and supported in this position with one hand; with the free hand, soft circular movements are made at this time from the base of the breast to the nipple, paying special attention to the affected duct. Add gentle tapping on the chest with your fingertips. Strong compression of breast tissue during massage can contribute to compression of the milk ducts.

Expressing milk from the breast during lactostasis is carried out several times a day, before feeding and in the intervals between breastfeeding. There is no need to express after each feeding; this way, the brain receives incorrect information about how much milk the baby needs, and more milk begins to arrive. Preference should be given to manual expression, as the most physiological, gentle, least traumatic method of normalizing the outflow of breast milk. If necessary, breast pumps can be used. After emptying the mammary gland, it is recommended to apply a cold compress to the area of greatest compaction to relieve swelling and reduce inflammation.

Pharmacological therapy in the treatment of lactostasis is practically not carried out.

If lactostasis does not go away within 2-3 days, you need to seek professional help.

Complications of lactostasis

Under unfavorable circumstances, lactostasis transforms into mastitis. The woman’s well-being worsens, her body temperature rises, soreness and redness of the affected area increases, pain in the area of the lump can be felt when changing body position or walking.

Lactostasis is a common pathology of the postpartum period; every third breastfeeding woman experiences temporary disruption of milk flow.

With inadequate treatment of the disease, non-infectious mastitis progresses, and after a few days the infiltrative stage of the disease occurs. The skin turns red, the mammary gland swells and enlarges, and abscesses appear at the site of the inflamed lumps. An urgent visit to a doctor is necessary if you experience severe pain, a temperature above 38 °C, or purulent discharge from the nipple.

Forecast

If symptoms of lactostasis are identified in a timely manner and all recommendations are followed, it is resolved without any complications. In most cases, in the first few days the temperature drops, the outflow of milk from the mammary gland normalizes, the lumps disappear, leaving no negative consequences for either the nursing mother or the child.

Prevention of lactostasis

Prevention of lactostasis during breastfeeding includes the following measures:

training in effective breastfeeding practices;
compliance with the rules of personal hygiene of a nursing mother;
drinking the optimal amount of fluid;
proper organization of breastfeeding;
changing and alternating feeding positions;
free feeding and unlimited presence of the child at the mother’s breast;
wearing comfortable underwear;
proper rest and balanced nutrition;
strengthening the immune system;
correct body position during sleep;
protecting the breast from mechanical injuries;
timely treatment of nipple damage and engorgement of the mammary glands.

Video from YouTube on the topic of the article: