The breast is
composed of several glands and ducts that lead to the nipple and the
surrounding colored area called the areola. The milk-carrying ducts extend from
the nipple into the underlying
breast tissue like the spokes of a
wheel. Under the areola are lactiferous ducts. These fill with milk during
lactation after a woman has a baby. When a girl reaches puberty, changing
hormones cause the ducts to grow and cause fat deposits in the breast tissue to
increase. The glands that produce milk (mammary glands) that are connected to
the surface of the breast by the lactiferous ducts may extend to the armpit area.
composed of several glands and ducts that lead to the nipple and the
surrounding colored area called the areola. The milk-carrying ducts extend from
the nipple into the underlying
breast tissue like the spokes of a
wheel. Under the areola are lactiferous ducts. These fill with milk during
lactation after a woman has a baby. When a girl reaches puberty, changing
hormones cause the ducts to grow and cause fat deposits in the breast tissue to
increase. The glands that produce milk (mammary glands) that are connected to
the surface of the breast by the lactiferous ducts may extend to the armpit area.
Mastitis
is an infection of the tissue of
the breast that occurs most frequently during the time of breastfeeding. It can occur when bacteria,
often from the baby's mouth, enter a
milk duct through a crack in the nipple. About 1%-3% of breastfeeding mothers develop
mastitis. Engorgement and incomplete breast emptying can contribute to the
problem and make the symptoms worse.
is an infection of the tissue of
the breast that occurs most frequently during the time of breastfeeding. It can occur when bacteria,
often from the baby's mouth, enter a
milk duct through a crack in the nipple. About 1%-3% of breastfeeding mothers develop
mastitis. Engorgement and incomplete breast emptying can contribute to the
problem and make the symptoms worse.
Breast infections may cause pain, redness, and warmth of the
breast along with the following symptoms:
breast along with the following symptoms:
·
Tenderness and
swelling
Tenderness and
swelling
·
Body aches
Body aches
·
Fatigue
Fatigue
·
Abscess: Sometimes a
breast abscess can complicate mastitis. Noncancerous masses such as abscesses
are more often tender and frequently feel mobile beneath the skin. The edge of
the mass is usually regular and well defined. Indications that this more serious
infection has occurred include the following:
Abscess: Sometimes a
breast abscess can complicate mastitis. Noncancerous masses such as abscesses
are more often tender and frequently feel mobile beneath the skin. The edge of
the mass is usually regular and well defined. Indications that this more serious
infection has occurred include the following:
If you're
making milk faster than it's getting expressed, it can get backed up in the
duct. When this happens, the tissue around the duct may become swollen and
inflamed and press on the duct, causing a blockage.
making milk faster than it's getting expressed, it can get backed up in the
duct. When this happens, the tissue around the duct may become swollen and
inflamed and press on the duct, causing a blockage.
The first sign of a plugged duct may be a small, hard lump
that's sore to the touch or a very tender spot in your breast. Some women also
notice redness on their breast. The area may feel hot or swollen, but may feel
better after nursing.
that's sore to the touch or a very tender spot in your breast. Some women also
notice redness on their breast. The area may feel hot or swollen, but may feel
better after nursing.
If you feel achy, run down, and feverish, it could be a sign
that your clogged duct has become infected. (Left untreated, a plugged duct can
evolve into mastitis, so don't ignore the symptoms.)
that your clogged duct has become infected. (Left untreated, a plugged duct can
evolve into mastitis, so don't ignore the symptoms.)
Blocked
ducts can happen if your breasts are not getting completely drained of milk on
a regular basis. Some common situations that may lead to this are:
ducts can happen if your breasts are not getting completely drained of milk on
a regular basis. Some common situations that may lead to this are:
Your
baby is having trouble feeding for some reason, such as an improper latch, or
isn't feeding often enough.
baby is having trouble feeding for some reason, such as an improper latch, or
isn't feeding often enough.
You're using a pump that's not powerful
enough.
enough.
You've abruptly weaned your baby.
A duct becomes compressed or damaged, due to
pressure from a nursing bra that doesn't fit well or from sleeping on your
stomach, for example. This may trap milk inside a duct.
pressure from a nursing bra that doesn't fit well or from sleeping on your
stomach, for example. This may trap milk inside a duct.
You have an illness such as a cold. Illness
may cause you to not want to feed your baby as often or pump as frequently.
may cause you to not want to feed your baby as often or pump as frequently.
You're under stress. Stress lowers your body's
production of oxytocin, the hormone that causes your breasts to release milk.
production of oxytocin, the hormone that causes your breasts to release milk.
You've had surgery, such as a breast biopsy.
The area that was operated on may interfere with milk drainage and cause a
blocked duct.
The area that was operated on may interfere with milk drainage and cause a
blocked duct.
Nurse, nurse, nurse! It may be painful to
nurse on the affected side, but frequent nursing is crucial to completely empty
the breast, which will make you more comfortable and reduce inflammation. If
it's not too painful, nurse on the side with the clogged duct first, because
your baby sucks strongest at the beginning and that may help dislodge the plug.
If your baby doesn't want to nurse enough to empty the breast on that side, use
a breast pump or hand express the milk. Experts also recommend that you massage
the sore area frequently and firmly, starting at the outside of the breast and
working your way toward the nipple. Applying warm compresses before nursing can
help open the ducts and relieve pain and swelling. Vary your nursing position.
For example, if you use the cradle hold, try the football hold or nurse lying
down. This will help make sure that all of the ducts are drained.
Also, many women swear by this trick: Position the baby at your breast with his chin pointed toward the sore spot. Then have him latch on and begin nursing. This directs suction at the plugged duct. Taking ibuprofen may help relieve pain and inflammation. Ask your doctor or lactation consultant before taking any remedies while you're breastfeeding, though, even if they're the over-the-counter variety. Next to nursing, the most important thing is rest. This may seem difficult or impossible with a baby to care for, especially if you have other children, but it's an important element of recovery. To get a bit more shut-eye, consider keeping your baby with you in your room (but not in your bed). Put a stash of things you'll need nearby, such as diapers, toys, books, and water. If possible, ask someone to help you for a few hours a day so you can get some sleep. Also eat nutritious foods to boost your immune system, and drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated. To help with discomfort, some moms rely on cold packs while others prefer a heating pad. See which provides you with the best relief. Once the duct is unplugged, the area may still be red or feel tender for a week or so, but any hard lumps will be gone and it won't hurt as much to nurse. To help prevent future plugged ducts, avoid long stretches between feedings. And make sure your nursing bras fit well and don't have underwires, which can compress milk ducts. Sometimes your milk flow on the affected side may be slower than usual, and your baby may become fussy when nursing on that breast. But it won't hurt your baby to nurse while you have a clogged duct. And the antibacterial properties of breast milk will keep your baby safe from bacteria, even if you develop an infection.
nurse on the affected side, but frequent nursing is crucial to completely empty
the breast, which will make you more comfortable and reduce inflammation. If
it's not too painful, nurse on the side with the clogged duct first, because
your baby sucks strongest at the beginning and that may help dislodge the plug.
If your baby doesn't want to nurse enough to empty the breast on that side, use
a breast pump or hand express the milk. Experts also recommend that you massage
the sore area frequently and firmly, starting at the outside of the breast and
working your way toward the nipple. Applying warm compresses before nursing can
help open the ducts and relieve pain and swelling. Vary your nursing position.
For example, if you use the cradle hold, try the football hold or nurse lying
down. This will help make sure that all of the ducts are drained.
Also, many women swear by this trick: Position the baby at your breast with his chin pointed toward the sore spot. Then have him latch on and begin nursing. This directs suction at the plugged duct. Taking ibuprofen may help relieve pain and inflammation. Ask your doctor or lactation consultant before taking any remedies while you're breastfeeding, though, even if they're the over-the-counter variety. Next to nursing, the most important thing is rest. This may seem difficult or impossible with a baby to care for, especially if you have other children, but it's an important element of recovery. To get a bit more shut-eye, consider keeping your baby with you in your room (but not in your bed). Put a stash of things you'll need nearby, such as diapers, toys, books, and water. If possible, ask someone to help you for a few hours a day so you can get some sleep. Also eat nutritious foods to boost your immune system, and drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated. To help with discomfort, some moms rely on cold packs while others prefer a heating pad. See which provides you with the best relief. Once the duct is unplugged, the area may still be red or feel tender for a week or so, but any hard lumps will be gone and it won't hurt as much to nurse. To help prevent future plugged ducts, avoid long stretches between feedings. And make sure your nursing bras fit well and don't have underwires, which can compress milk ducts. Sometimes your milk flow on the affected side may be slower than usual, and your baby may become fussy when nursing on that breast. But it won't hurt your baby to nurse while you have a clogged duct. And the antibacterial properties of breast milk will keep your baby safe from bacteria, even if you develop an infection.
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