Symptoms and treatment of lactostasis in a nursing mother. Characteristic features of lactostasis Types of lactostasis

Lactostasis (from Latin lac - milk and Greek stasis - stagnation) - a violation of lactation, stagnation of milk resulting from excessive production of milk by the gland and / or a decrease in the 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 reached between the possibilities of excretion pathways and the productivity of the secretory sections of the mammary glands that synthesize milk during lactation. Alveoli, in which milk is secreted, are located at different depths, each of them is connected to the nipple by milk ducts. The secretion of milk occurs through the duct system to the nipple, in which the lactiferous sinuses open. If the process of removing milk from the alveoli is disturbed, milk stagnation occurs in a certain segment of the mammary gland, a so-called milk plug is formed. The tissue of the gland in the area of stagnation swells and infiltrates, thickening and soreness appear. The pressure in the ducts and lobules of the mammary gland increases, which inhibits further lactation.

Under adverse circumstances, lactostasis is transformed into mastitis.

Lactostasis is a common pathology of the postpartum period, every third lactating woman faces a temporary violation of the outflow of milk.

Causes of lactostasis

rejection breastfeeding child;
premature weaning of the baby from the breast;
rare 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 structure of the nipple, inverted or flat nipples;
incomplete emptying of the breast due to sagging of its lower part with large sizes of the mammary glands;
excess milk production due to hyperlactation;
incorrect technique of attachment to the breast, incorrect position of the child during feeding, improper grip of the nipple by the child;
feeding in the same position;
squeezing some areas of the mammary glands during feeding;
cracked nipples;
lethargy of suckling by the child;
regular unreasonable pumping;
tight clothing, wearing a bra that is too tight;
the 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 trauma of the mammary gland;
dehydration, insufficient drinking regimen;
mastopathy in history;
inadequate rest, nervous strain, frequent stressful situations that provoke vasospasm and narrowing of the ducts.

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

Symptoms of lactostasis

Lactostasis is manifested by the following symptoms:

discomfort, feeling of heaviness, overcrowding in the mammary gland;
moderate pain when touched;
the appearance of seals, less often the seal of the entire mammary gland, redness;
local temperature increase in the stasis area;
swelling and redness of the affected area, skin in the affected area become stretched, shiny;
pronounced vascular network on the skin of a diseased chest;
milk is expressed in a scanty, uneven stream;
change in the shape of the nipple;
slight increase in body temperature;
deterioration of the 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, the lifestyle of a nursing mother is 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

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

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

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

To improve the outflow of milk from the mammary glands, it is recommended to increase the frequency of application to the affected breast. Feeding is carried out according to the 2:1 principle (two consecutive feedings from the affected mammary gland, one from the healthy one). With severe soreness at the beginning of feeding, the child should be attached to a healthy breast.

Particular attention should be paid to correcting the incorrect attachment and position of the child during feeding. Feeding should be carried out in such a way that the baby's chin is turned towards the formed seal in the mammary gland, since during sucking lower jaw produces the most active movements to help neutralize the compaction. For example, if the duct in the outer lower segment of the chest is affected, the best position for feeding is from under the arm, with this method the woman is in a reclining position, leaning on her forearm and thigh. If milk stagnation has formed in the upper segments of the breast, “jack” feeding is effective when the child lies on its side, and its legs are placed along the mother’s head. To find a comfortable position, you can use special pillows for feeding or other devices. Another way to empty the breast well is to apply moderate compression and massage of the breast in the area of \u200b\u200bcongestion 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. Quite effective is pumping under a warm shower or in a warm bath.

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

Urgent referral to a doctor is necessary in case of severe pain, temperature above 38 ° C, purulent discharge from the nipple.

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

Expression of milk from the breast with lactostasis is carried out several times a day, before feeding and in between applications to the breast. It is not necessary to express after each feeding, thus incorrect information enters the brain about how much milk the child needs, more milk begins to arrive. Preference should be given to manual pumping, as the most physiological, sparing, least traumatic method of normalizing the outflow of breast milk. If necessary, the use of breast pumps is acceptable. After emptying the breast, it is recommended to apply a cold compress to the site 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 should seek professional help.

Complications of lactostasis

Under adverse circumstances, lactostasis is transformed into mastitis. The woman's well-being worsens, the body temperature rises, soreness and redness of the affected area increase, pain in the area of \u200b\u200bdensification can be felt when changing the position of the body, walking.

Lactostasis is a common pathology of the postpartum period, every third lactating woman faces a temporary violation of the outflow of milk.

With inadequate therapy of the disease, non-infectious mastitis progresses, after a few days the infiltrative stage of the disease sets in. The skin turns red, the mammary gland swells, increases, abscesses appear at the site of the inflamed seals. Urgent referral to a doctor is necessary in case of severe pain, temperature above 38 ° C, purulent discharge from the nipple.

Forecast

With the timely detection of symptoms of lactostasis and compliance with all recommendations, 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, seals 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;
the use of the optimal amount of liquid;
proper organization of breastfeeding;
change and alternation of positions when feeding;
free feeding and unlimited presence of the child at the mother's breast;
wearing comfortable underwear;
good rest and rational nutrition;
strengthening immunity;
correct body position during sleep;
protection of the breast from mechanical injuries;
timely treatment of damage to the nipple, engorgement of the mammary glands.

Video from YouTube on the topic of the article:

Lactostasis is the accumulation of milk in the mammary gland of a nursing woman, developing due to obstruction of outflow.

It is characterized by compaction of the gland, pain on palpation, expansion of the saphenous veins on the chest in the stasis area. Sometimes body temperature can rise to subfebrile figures. The tension and soreness of the gland can both be relieved after its emptying, and persist.

Causes and mechanisms of development

The causes of lactostasis may be a decrease in the patency of the excretory duct, excessive milk production by the gland, as well as a combination of hyperlactation with obstruction or spasm of the ducts.

The development of lactostasis is facilitated by the anatomical features of the gland: a flat nipple, narrow milk ducts with a pronounced secretory activity of the gland, sagging breasts. Also, lactostasis is provoked by the refusal of breastfeeding, difficulty in feeding (presence of cracks in the nipples, improper attachment to the breast, weak severity of sucking activity in the infant). Violation of the outflow of milk is promoted by tight underwear, sleeping on the stomach, hypothermia of the chest, psychological stress, hard physical work.

In the first days after childbirth, when lactation is established, there is often an excess of milk. As a rule, on the third or fourth day (with repeated births, it may be earlier), active lactation begins, and the child sucks out quite a bit of milk in those days. As a result, there is no complete release of the mammary glands. During the first lactation, in addition, there is some difficulty in outflow - the milk ducts are narrow, tortuous and require development, pumping is difficult due to the lack of skill.

The milk remaining in the gland causes an increase in pressure in the ducts and lobules, the gland tissue in the area of stagnation infiltrates and swells, which causes compaction and pain. Milk undergoes partial reabsorption, and contributes to the development of fever. High blood pressure in lobules helps to reduce milk production and inhibits further lactation. With prolonged total lactostasis, milk production stops.

Symptoms of lactostasis

The main manifestation of lactostasis is a painful compaction of the gland site. In addition, there may be sensations of heaviness, fullness. With prolonged stasis, a feeling of heat and local hyperemia develops, an increase in body temperature to subfebrile and febrile figures.

Sometimes soreness is not accompanied by compaction. As a rule, after feeding the symptomatology weakens. Feeding itself can be accompanied by severe pain. The stagnation zone can shift and increase.

Treatment of lactostasis

With lactostasis, it is necessary to ensure the maximum possible emptying of the mammary gland. Expansion of the ducts is facilitated by moderate warming, breast massage. To reduce the likelihood of reflex stasis, a quality rest, the exclusion of stress, and the restriction of wearing underwear compressing the chest are recommended. It is recommended to sleep not on the back and stomach, but on the side.

Feeding should be done as often as possible (but not more than once every two hours). At the beginning of feeding, it is immediately necessary to attach the child to the "sick" breast. The fact is that in order to suck milk out of the stagnant area, the child has to exert maximum sucking efforts, and when he has already eaten, he can be lazy and refuse to suck. However, healthy breasts also require careful emptying. Feeding should be carried out in a position that is convenient and comfortable for the baby, providing the child with maximum contact with the nipple and facilitating sucking. If the baby does not breastfeed often enough and intensively, it is necessary to express the excess milk.

Strengthening the outflow is facilitated by massaging the breast with stroking movements in the direction of the nipple.

Breast massage, pumping and feeding must be carried out, overcoming soreness until the symptoms of lactostasis subside. Persistence of efforts contributes to the qualitative emptying of the glands and long-term full lactation.

Sometimes, when a spasmodic duct opens during feeding, there may be some tingling and burning sensation in the chest. The expressed milk may contain inclusions (“milk grains”), filiform fibers, and be excessively fatty in appearance. This is the normal, healthy consistency of breast milk, providing the baby with good nutrition. Between feedings and pumping, soreness can be relieved by applying local cold compresses.

Before pumping or feeding, the gland must be kept warm. If necessary, the chest can be warmed with a towel soaked in warm water, take a warm shower. Usage hot water and warming compresses are dangerously possible by infection, so sudden excessive warming is not recommended.

After warming up, the breast is massaged in a circular motion from its base to the nipple. When massaging the lobule, where lactostasis is localized, it is quite well defined by touch, differing from the surrounding tissue in increased density. The seal must be massaged with particular care. It is the compacted painful area that needs to be expressed first. After pumping, you can attach to the baby's breast and let him suck the rest of the milk.

Prolonged lactostasis (more than a day) and after decanting can retain pain for 1-2 days in the area of stagnation that has taken place. If even after the pain does not subside, but intensifies, fever, hyperemia occurs, it can be assumed that mastitis has developed (inflammation of the mammary gland). It is necessary to stop heating the gland (heat contributes to the progression of the infection) and urgently consult a doctor.

With lactostasis, any warming compresses are harmful, and alcohol compresses, in addition to the possibility of stimulating the bacterial flora, interfere with the hormonal regulation of lactation, which only contributes to the development of lactostasis.

Excessively active massage can also lead to negative consequences: mechanical damage to the lobules and ducts, the appearance of new foci of stagnation and an increase in body temperature (with intense reabsorption of milk and infiltration of surrounding tissues in damaged lobules).

Treatment of lactostasis with folk remedies without consulting a doctor is categorically not recommended, especially for mothers who are lactating for the first time. Improper implementation of therapeutic measures contributes to the development of complications of lactostasis and a decrease in the quality of milk up to the complete cessation of lactation. Self pumping is often very painful and may not be effective. A mammologist can help with straining and developing ducts. A good specialist can make pumping completely painless.

Hardware pumping with a breast pump is not inferior to manual pumping in its effectiveness, but with lactostasis, it is necessary to carefully massage the affected area before using the breast pump. One of the effective methods of resorption of stagnation of milk is ultrasound massage of the mammary gland. Promotes contraction of the milk ducts oxytocin. It is prescribed by injection and administered intramuscularly 20-30 minutes before feeding.

Complications of lactostasis

Lactostasis is dangerous with the likelihood of developing mastitis (inflammation of the mammary gland). The development of this complication is clinically manifested by increased soreness, fever and the onset of heat in the affected area, red stripes may appear on the skin of the chest, an admixture of pus or blood is noted in the milk.

The development of mastitis is provoked by hypothermia (feeding in a draft), overheating (compresses, hot baths), wrong treatment lactospasm.

Long-term lactostasis can lead to the development of a breast abscess.

Lactostasis in a nursing mother is a pathological process that occurs as a result of a violation of the movement of milk in the ducts of the mammary gland during lactation with milk stagnation in one or more lobes. At the same time, a “milk plug” is formed in the milk ducts, which disrupts the outflow of milk. The lactiferous lobules of the mammary gland overflow, causing typical symptoms: discomfort and induration, soreness and redness at the site of lactostasis. If treatment is not started in a timely manner, an increase in body temperature is noted, persistent edema develops in the mammary gland, the area of lactostasis becomes "stone", and the pain intensifies many times over.

To prevent the development of milk stagnation, it is necessary to clearly understand the main causes of its occurrence, the first signs of the onset of the pathological process and how to treat lactostasis in a nursing mother.

Causes of lactostasis

The development of lactostasis can provoke a violation of the processes of inflow and / or outflow of breast milk, as well as structural features (its ducts, lactiferous lobules and nipples).

The main causes of milk stasis include:

insufficient emptying of the breast against the background of active lactation:
rare feeding;
premature weaning of the baby from the breast (you can not try to take the breast from the crumbs before the baby himself releases it, even in the case of prolonged feeding);
insufficiently active sucking of the child caused by prematurity, pathology of the central nervous system, intrauterine malnutrition;
improper feeding technique;
feeding the baby in one position;
refusal of the child to breastfeed, transfer to artificial feeding;
active flow of milk;
frequent pumping;
excessive fluid intake;
dishormonal changes in the body;
high viscosity of breast milk;
excess animal fats in the diet of the nursing;
insufficient drinking regime;
features of the structure of the mammary gland;
nipple anomalies (flat or inverted);
congenital narrowness of the milk ducts or their atresia;
large mammary glands;
traumatization (contusion of the gland, cracked nipples);
chest compression:
tight bra;
sleep on the stomach;
clamping part of the chest during feeding;
hypothermia;
overwork, reaction to stress;
a combination of several causative factors.

Milk stasis most often occurs during the period of adaptation of the child to new living conditions (the first weeks after birth).

Lactostasis is most often associated with improper feeding technique or regimen, the lack of a "debugged" influx of breast milk and sucking activity, and squeezing the mammary gland.
All these problems are easily solved after talking with a specialist and clarifying the cause. In most cases, significant relief comes from massage, warm showers, frequent breastfeeding, and/or pumping.

Stagnation of breast milk in other periods of lactation (older than a month of age) has other causes - hypothermia (popularly called "chill the chest"), tight bra, trauma, overwork, persistent hormonal imbalance. Therefore, if lactostasis occurs during this period, a comprehensive examination and treatment is necessary.

Symptoms of lactostasis in a nursing mother

Lactostasis should be treated when the first symptoms appear, which you need to know. It is also necessary to distinguish between development and lactostasis: their symptoms are similar, but there are still characteristic features.

Clinical signs of lactostasis in nursing:

discomfort, and then soreness of the area of \u200b\u200bthe mammary gland;
pain and swelling at rest and on palpation;
on palpation, the presence of compaction, redness, expansion of the saphenous veins and local increase are noted
temperature in the place of milk stagnation;
pumping and massage bring significant relief - milk flows freely;
malaise, fever (first to subfebrile numbers, and with prolonged stagnation - more than 38-39).

After the appearance of the initial signs of lactostasis, it is necessary to determine its cause and treatment tactics. Prolonged stagnation of milk causes the development of non-infectious mastitis - a persistent inflammatory process in crowded lobules. When pathogenic microorganisms enter the ducts and lobules, lactational mastitis develops - a serious infectious and inflammatory disease of the glandular tissue of the mammary gland. It occurs as a result of penetration through the affected skin of the gland, nipple or with the flow of lymph and blood of pyogenic bacteria, their reproduction and vital activity.

In 95% of cases, this inflammatory process develops in lactating mastitis, quite often it occurs against the background of lactostasis and is its complication with untimely or incorrect treatment.

The characteristic features of mastitis, in contrast to lactostasis, are:

an increase in body temperature immediately to high numbers (more than 38.5-39);
severe weakness, lethargy, drowsiness, headache caused by intoxication;
severe soreness, redness, increase in volume and swelling of the mammary gland (more often
infectious-inflammatory process is localized on the right);
pumping is sharply painful and does not bring relief;
after 3-4 days, the appearance of serous-purulent discharge from the nipple is noted.

Breastfeeding and lactostasis: what to do? Tips for parents.

What to do with symptoms of lactostasis?

When the first symptoms of lactostasis appear - discomfort and bursting, the appearance of a compaction area, local temperature increase and slight redness an urgent need to consult with a specialist (pediatrician, lactation consultant, gynecologist, therapist). The doctor will help determine the cause and develop further tactics for the speedy elimination of this problem.

If it is impossible to get advice, try to figure out the reasons yourself and, if possible, eliminate them. It is also necessary to restore the movement of milk through the milk ducts - to “dissolve” the stagnation.

Should I feed a child with lactostasis?

With the appearance of lactostasis, it is necessary to ensure the 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 treatment of milk stasis.

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

It is important to choose the right position for feeding so that the area of lactostasis is emptied as much as possible when sucking - the child is applied so that his chin “points” to the area with lactostasis.
Before feeding, the breast must be kept warm.
Immediately before applying the crumbs to the breast, take a warm shower, directing jets of water onto the breast with lactostasis.
Gently massage the problem area of the breast.
If it is difficult for the baby to suckle at the beginning of feeding, express the first streams (without traumatizing the chest).
First of all, and often (every 2-2.5 hours), the child is applied to the breast with stagnation of milk.
Set the optimal feeding regimen.
If the cause of lactostasis is anomalies of the nipples (inverted and flat), it is recommended to use special pads when feeding the baby.

If a reflex spasm is likely, a nursing mother needs a good rest, sleeping on her side, wearing loose underwear and clothes.

When to See a Doctor

It is important to remember that self-medication and use folk remedies, especially warming and cooling the area of lactostasis without a doctor's examination and the appointment of adequate treatment, especially in women who are lactating for the first time, can lead to:

to the development of complications (mastitis and abscess formation);
complete cessation of lactation;
decrease in the quality of breast milk.

Especially dangerous is the formation of an infectious-inflammatory focus in the mammary gland - lactational mastitis. This pathological process, with the wrong tactics of treatment or its absence, after 4-5 days leads to purulent inflammation at the site of lactostasis and the formation of an abscess. With a complicated course of mastitis, surgical intervention is necessary: opening and draining the abscess with the appointment of antibacterial agents.

Therefore, when the first symptoms of mastitis appear, you should immediately consult a doctor:

an increase in body temperature to febrile numbers;
significant deterioration in well-being (lethargy, weakness, chills);
severe pain when pumping, which does not bring relief.

It is necessary to immediately consult a doctor if there is a long and persistent lactostasis, the symptoms in nursing are aggravated:

body temperature rises to 39-40;
lethargy and weakness increase, appetite decreases;
enlarged axillary lymph nodes;
softening (fluctuation) is felt in the area of stagnation.

Treatment of lactostasis in a nursing mother

To speed up the healing process and significantly reduce lactostasis in a nursing mother, treatment should be started as early as possible.

Expression of milk with lactostasis

Expression of breast milk during its stagnation is carried out if the baby cannot cope with the elimination of the area of lactostasis.

This may happen:

with sluggish sucking, which is due to the weakness of the child or various pathologies (prematurity, functional and organic diseases of the central nervous system, congenital heart defects, intrauterine infection or malnutrition);
with an active influx of milk or its high viscosity;
with anomalies of the ducts or a large mammary gland;
with pronounced cracks in the nipples (temporary pumping is shown until they heal);

Decanting is done in two ways:

manual;
using a breast pump.

Expression with a breast pump initial stage lactostasis may be ineffective due to spasm and edema of the milk ducts, so it is recommended that the area of lactostasis be manually freed from milk first. This provides a gradual and gentle straining of the problem area.

Hand pumping should be done in a calm environment and in a comfortable position. The desire to release the milky lobe from milk stagnation as soon as possible by “kneading” or “breaking” the area of lactostasis leads to increased inflammation and injuries to the milk ducts. Therefore, pumping should be gradual and gentle - this is a complex process, sometimes painful and not immediately bringing the desired effect. Before pumping, you need to apply a warm lotion or compress to the seal area, take a warm shower. When decanting, all actions must be careful, it is necessary to avoid active compression and squeezing of the tissues, constantly change the position of the fingers to evenly express breast milk from all lobes. The main sign of proper pumping is the release of milk in strong streams.

Compresses

It is important to remember that the use of alcohol and camphor compresses for lactostasis is prohibited!
Camphor oil causes a short-term cooling effect, which contributes to the aggravation of lactostasis, and the ingress of its components into milk is extremely dangerous for a child.

Alcohol and vodka compresses can provoke the isolation of the focus of inflammation and the formation of an abscess.

With lactostasis in the form of compresses, you can apply - warm lotions from a decoction of anti-inflammatory herbs to the area of lactostasis before feeding or pumping, a warm cabbage leaf with honey (in the absence of an allergy to honey), a warm rye flour cake.

Ointments

With great care, you need to use various ointments without a doctor's prescription, especially Vishnevsky's ointment and ichthyol. The components of these ointments change the taste and quality of breast milk and provoke an aggravation of inflammation and edema with the formation of a purulent focus.

To reduce pain and inflammation, experts prescribe Traumeel or Arnica ointment.

Prevention of lactostasis

To avoid the appearance of lactostasis, it is necessary:

Feeding the baby on demand and in different positions, avoid frequent breaks;
With sluggish sucking of the child - express breast milk after feeding and feed the baby with expressed milk. It must be remembered that frequent pumping can lead to an active flow of milk.
It is necessary to avoid clamping the mammary glands with tight clothing, underwear, as well as sleeping on the stomach and back (with large mammary glands);
Observe the rules of personal hygiene, care of the mammary gland and nipples;
Avoid hypothermia and overheating of the mammary glands.

You can not abuse products that increase the fat content and viscosity of milk (animal fats, nuts), observe the drinking regimen (reduce fluid intake with an active influx of milk or increase it with an increase in its viscosity and fat content).

At the first signs of congestion, consult your doctor or lactation consultant.

If a nursing woman has active milk production, incomplete emptying of the breast or narrowing of the milk ducts occurs, causing lactostasis, the symptoms of which are quite distinct and often cause for concern. Usually, lactostasis can be observed when a woman is just starting to breastfeed, after colostrum, during a period of increased fat content in milk. Because of this, milk can stagnate in narrow ducts, causing lactostasis or mastitis.

What is lactostasis? This is the stagnation of milk in the breast of a nursing mother. Hardened areas can form in one breast or both. Lactostasis in women, namely what it is, almost every nursing mother knows. Often signs of the disease are hard balls in the chest, palpable with fingers, accompanied by pain.

An external sign is a clear outline of the veins on the chest. The mammary gland of a woman is characterized by many lobes in which the excretory ducts are located. If a woman feels well during lactation, the ducts expand during feeding and milk flows freely to the baby. During the period of the disease, the ducts narrow, creating discomfort and pain.

It is necessary to treat this problem immediately at the first sign. If the full outflow of milk is not resumed, pathogenic substances can penetrate into the lobes, which will lead to a purulent abscess. You can find out that the ducts have been freed from milk plugs by feeling a burning sensation and tingling at the site of redness and protruding veins. The milk expressed at the same time may have an unusual structure: it may contain a high percentage of fat, grains and small fibers.

The risk group for the formation of traffic jams includes women who have fatty milk and its active intake. Such nursing mothers should pay special attention to the process of feeding and pumping.

In recent years, thanks to the widespread promotion of breastfeeding, more and more women are willing to breastfeed their newborns. However, some of them may face such a problem as stagnation of milk in the mammary glands. This may be due to several reasons. Expectant mothers should know what lactostasis is, why it occurs and what to do when it appears.

Stagnation of milk in the mammary glands occurs due to the fact that the milk ducts are clogged, through which milk is excreted. As a result, fluid accumulates in the milky lobes, forming painful seals. In this case, the problem can arise not only in women who decide to refuse breastfeeding, but also in mothers who are determined to breastfeed their baby for a long time.

The main causes of lactostasis in a nursing mother are:

Incomplete emptying of the mammary glands due to improper attachment of the baby to the breast.
Large intervals between feedings. The less time passes from one feeding to another, the better.
Narrow milk ducts or too thick and fatty milk.
The child sucks badly at the breast, refusing it or falling asleep a few minutes after the start of feeding.
Irregular (flat or inverted) shape of the nipple that interferes with proper latch on.
Production of excess milk. After lactation is established (10-15 days after birth), milk should be produced exactly as much as the baby needs.
Early introduction of complementary foods, when the mother is afraid that the child does not have enough milk and begins to supplement him with a bottle.

In addition, the causes of lactostasis can be associated with such phenomena as:

constant lack of sleep, leading to overwork, the inability to lead a normal life
stressful situations
breast injuries or hypothermia
cracked nipples causing pain during feeding
wearing tight underwear and a bra that tightens the chest.

Manifestations of lactostasis

Milk stasis may appear in the first days after the birth of a child, when breastfeeding has not entered the normal course and when breastfeeding is stopped and complementary foods are introduced, not due to lack of milk, but for some indirect reasons.

With the development of lactostasis:

Seals appear in the mammary glands, which are easily palpable by hand.
There is a constant feeling of fullness in the chest.
When expressing, the milk flows out in irregular intermittent streams, and some of the milk remains in the breast.
There are pain sensations both during and after feeding.
There is a slight increase in body temperature, and heat is felt in the chest area.

If you do not take action quickly, the mother may have a fever and the inflammatory process begins. Even during pregnancy, a woman should know how to avoid lactostasis so that breastfeeding becomes a pleasant duty for her, and not a heavy burden.

How to prevent disease

Prevention of lactostasis begins from the moment the child is born. The mother must insist that the baby be put to the breast for the first time no later than an hour after his birth. This contributes to the establishment of breastfeeding, despite the fact that at first the mother has only colostrum, and the milk comes a little later.

An important preventive measure that will not only protect the mother from lactostasis, but also bring undoubted benefits to the child, is feeding the child on demand. This means that the baby is applied to the breast as many times a day as he asks. This can happen 12 to 20 times a day. Frequent applications are the best preventive measure against milk stasis.

During one feeding, it is recommended to change the position after a while in order to improve the outflow of milk. Occupying the same position in the process of feeding, you contribute to the complete emptying of one part of the breast, leaving milk in other lobes that are inaccessible to the child.

Usually lactostasis disappears as soon as breastfeeding is established. At the same time, the mother will produce exactly as much milk as the child needs, which will eliminate the stagnation of fluid in the mammary glands, since in one feeding the child will completely empty it.

Prevention of lactostasis is directly related to the correct attachment of the child to the breast. It should capture not only the nipple, but also the areola around it. At the same time, while supporting the breast during feeding, the mother should not pinch the milk ducts. With proper attachment and feeding of the child at short intervals, lactostasis disappears within a day.

If you introduce bottle feeding because you're worried that your baby isn't getting enough milk, your baby will soon learn that it's much easier to get what she wants than breastfeeding and start to refuse. Instead of complementary foods, frequent breastfeeding should be practiced. It is possible to understand whether the baby has enough milk by conducting a control weighing or using the wet diaper method.

What to do if milk still stagnates

If, after feeding, excess milk remains in the breast, in order for lactostasis to pass, you need to express them yourself. To improve the outflow, the chest is warmed under warm jets of water and massaged with light, stroking movements. After pumping, you need to attach the baby to the breast so that he completes the process you started. This procedure can be done several times a day. No pump will empty your breasts better than a baby.

To reduce pain while breastfeeding, express some milk before breastfeeding. Do not rush to give up breastfeeding by introducing complementary foods or completely switching to milk formulas. Lactostasis can be cured by quite affordable methods and continue to feed the baby with breast milk.

To reduce the flow of milk and alleviate the symptoms of the disease, you need to limit fluid intake to one and a half liters per day. This will reduce the amount of milk produced.

A good tool in the fight against lactostasis are compresses from products available at home.

Cabbage compress. Cold cabbage leaves are slightly beaten off until juice appears and applied to problem areas on the chest. The duration of the procedure is about 3 hours. Since the need to empty the breast occurs in a woman every 1.5 - 2 hours, the cabbage is removed for the time of feeding and pumping, and then applied again. You can use the same leaves or take new ones.
Honey cake. At the initial stage of development of lactostasis, honey, mixed with flour to the consistency of dough, is considered one of the best folk remedies. A honey cake is applied to places of milk stagnation, covered with gauze or soft cloth, then cellophane and wrap the chest. Hold the compress for no more than 20 minutes.
Alcohol compress. They take vodka or diluted alcohol, moisten a piece of cloth and apply it to the chest. Cover with foil and wrap. You can mix vodka with camphor oil. Milk after such a procedure must be expressed.
Baked onion. Bake the onion, cool slightly and apply warm to the places of stagnation. Such a compress relieves swelling of the breast and improves the outflow of milk.

Lactostasis is a fairly common occurrence in nursing mothers. If you plan to breastfeed your baby for as long as possible, do not introduce complementary foods when lactostasis occurs. Be sure to keep feeding your baby. mother's milk precisely from the breast, since the child is the best medicine from stagnant milk.

When to see a doctor

Usually, when establishing the process of feeding, a woman successfully copes with the disease on her own. But sometimes you still have to see a doctor. This should be done if the high temperature does not go away for more than 2 days and the lumps do not decrease after pumping.

After contacting a mammologist or gynecologist, the mother is prescribed an ultrasound, on the basis of which treatment is prescribed. If for a while high temperature or taking antipyretics and antibiotics, you introduce complementary foods, try to give it from a spoon. This is necessary so that the baby does not refuse to breastfeed after a bottle of food. Otherwise, with enough milk, the mother may have even bigger problems.