Breastfeeding is not an easy journey for many mothers. It can be challenging in many ways. You may have heard many mothers complain about lactation issues, oversupply, insufficient supply, and clogged ducts, or even latching issues. Have you heard of milk blisters during breastfeeding?
Milk blisters are common but not really discussed. Many women face this issue during their breastfeeding journey. While it can be serious for a few women, in many cases, these blisters will go away on their own. It is not as serious as mastitis, but these little blisters can be painful too.
In This Article
- What Are Milk Blisters?
- Top 5 Causes of Milk Blisters During Breastfeeding
- Signs and Symptoms of Milk Blisters
- How is Milk Blisters During Breastfeeding Diagnosed?
- List of Top 9 Treatment Options For Milk Blisters During Breastfeeding
- When to See a Doctor?
- How to Prevent Milk Blisters During Breastfeeding?
- FAQ’s
What Are Milk Blisters?
Milk blisters or Milk blebs are small blisters filled with milk. They can look white or yellow in color, resembling a whitehead. You can find them around the nipples of some actively breastfeeding mothers.
While milk blisters are not painful in general, some mothers can experience a lot of pain while breastfeeding with these blisters. Sometimes, these milk blisters can even lead to mastitis – another breastfeeding complication due to clogged milk ducts.
Milk blisters are not as dangerous or painful as mastitis, but they can soon become serious if not taken care of in time. You can use home remedies or seek professional help to get rid of these blebs (milk blisters).
Top 5 Causes of Milk Blisters During Breastfeeding
Many babies do not breastfeed enough to drain the breast completely. Milk can get trapped in the milk pores due to improper draining. The trapped milk bulges from the pores, making it look like small white blisters. This can happen due to:
1. Improper Latch
Many babies have issues with their latch. Apart from affecting the milk supply or causing pain during breastfeeding, a bad latch can lead to clogged milk pores. Babies falling asleep during breastfeeding can also lead to an improper latch, where they drink properly from one part and the milk pools in the other, leading to milk blisters.
2. Improper Sucking
If the baby is only shallow sucking, then the milk does not drain properly. The milk will be flowing in but not drained, leading to blocks.
3. Wrong Angle
If you are breastfeeding at an angle that is new for you and your baby, the latch may be improper. When the angle is not comfortable enough for the baby to breastfeed properly, it can lead to milk blisters.
4. Infection in Babies
If your baby has a mouth infection like thrush, it can cause milk blisters in one or both breasts. Thrush can go back and forth between you and your baby, during breastfeeding.
[Read : Symptoms And Treatment Of Thrush In Babies]
5. Tight Clothing
Tight-fitting bras, underwired bras as well as other tight clothes can rub against your nipples, and cause irritation. Irritation or too much friction on the nipples can lead to milk blisters.
Signs and Symptoms of Milk Blisters
Milk blisters are visible to the naked eye. If you see whiteheads like growth on your breasts, around the nipples, it can be milk blisters. If you try pressing it down, it can even become flat without any pain. And if these milk blisters block any of the milk ducts, it can be painful while nursing.
Sometimes, these milk blisters will have fresh skin growing on top of them. So, it may not look white but will still be small blisters. Try pressing them to check if they have any liquid in them.
To summarize, if you notice the following, either check with your doctor or keep a close watch on their development:
- Small white liquid-filled blisters resembling whiteheads.
- Pain during breastfeeding due to the small eruptions around the nipples.
- Red inflamed skin around the tiny white heads.
How is Milk Blisters During Breastfeeding Diagnosed?
If you experience pain during breastfeeding or latching and can see small white blisters around your nipples, it is most likely milk blisters. Your doctor might try to press on the spots to confirm if they are indeed blebs and not any other tissue growth.
The blebs can look a lot like whiteheads on your nipples. The skin around the blister may be inflamed and red for some women.
List of Top 9 Treatment Options For Milk Blisters During Breastfeeding
Some of the treatment options for milk blisters are:
1. Frequent Nursing
As tiring as it may be, nursing frequently is the best option to treat milk blisters. When the breasts are drained properly, they will not clog or lead to blebs. If your baby is full or not nursing enough to drain the milk, you can try pumping. Even feeding for a short duration can help drain the excess milk.
2. Correct Angle
Ensure your baby is angled right. If the position is not comfortable for you or your baby, you can always try different positions. Ensure the position allows your baby to latch properly and is comfortable for you too.
[Read : Top Breastfeeding Positions For Mom and Baby]
3. Breast Massage
Massaging your breast in a slow but firm circular motion can help relieve the clogged ducts. If there are many blisters, start massaging the sides of the blisters, to slowly relieve them. Apply gentle pressure wherever possible. You can even do this as you are breastfeeding, to help release the milk.
4. Wear Lose Clothes
Tight-fitting clothes that can rub against your blisters can aggravate the condition or increase the pain. Wear loose-fitting clothes made from soft fabric. If you need to step out and if the clothing hurts the blisters, you can use breast pads. They will offer a layer of protection.
5. Warm Compress
Use a hot water bag or soak a clean towel in warm water and use it as a compress for your breasts before breastfeeding. It will help in releasing the ducts and improving the milk flow. When flow is better, your baby can suck and empty the breast better.
6. Ointments
You can find many soothing ointments for milk blisters, in the market. Use them on the affected areas and your nipples, to keep them soft and moisturized. Ensure you clean your nipples well before breastfeeding. Don’t let your nipples dry as it can increase the chances or number of milk blisters.
7. Diet Change
If there is an infection spreading, eat more immunity-boosting foods. Since you are breastfeeding, your doctor may not prescribe strong antibiotics. Getting healthy from within can help in multiple ways.
8. Medications
If the milk blisters are due to your baby’s thrush or other bacterial infection, you need to visit a doctor. They will prescribe safe medications that will help control the infection. Ensure you follow the prescription and do not self-medicate. Self-medication while breastfeeding can affect your baby.
9. Physical Draining
If the blisters are big or getting painful, you need to consult a doctor immediately. Your doctor might use a sterile needle to drain the blisters to reduce pain and prevent spreading.
When to See a Doctor?
Milk blisters will usually subside on their own, you can try some of the remedies mentioned above to treat it at home. However, if you notice the blisters are getting bigger or inflammation around them is increasing, it could indicate a problem. If it hurts to breastfeed your child, you need to check with your doctor.
Pain during breastfeeding can affect the latch or how much milk your baby drains. Both can worsen the already existing milk blebs. Leaving it unattended can lead to mastitis – an even more painful issue. So, if in doubt, you should check with your doctor at the earliest.
How to Prevent Milk Blisters During Breastfeeding?
Milk blisters are due to improper draining of the breasts. So, the best way to prevent them is to breastfeed properly.
- Ensure your baby is awake and feeding properly. If they fall asleep and you feel the milk flow is heavy, consider pumping the excess milk for later usage.
- Sit in a position comfortable for both you and your baby to breastfeed. The baby should be at the correct angle to get maximum access to the breast.
- Check if the latch is proper. If your baby continues to have issues with latching, you may want to consult a lactation specialist and rule out a tongue tie or other latch related issues.
Milk blisters during breastfeeding are not a serious concern unless they become painful. You can manage them with some home remedies or by changing your breastfeeding style. If the problem persists, you will need to check with a doctor before it can lead to more serious troubles.
[Read : Baby Latching]
FAQ’s
1. Can Milk Blisters Cause Mastitis During Breastfeeding?
If you don’t drain the milk blisters and let the milk get clogged continuously, it can lead to mastitis. Not all milk blisters lead to mastitis. Sometimes, they will resolve on their own or with a few home remedies.
2. How Long Do Milk Blisters Last?
Milk blisters can last anywhere between a few days to a few weeks. If skin grows on top of the blisters, it can become very painful and take longer to resolve. If you have multiple or big blocks, they can again take time to resolve. Small milk blisters can go away on their own in a few days.
3. Does Lanolin Help With Milk Blisters During Breastfeeding?
Lanolin is an ointment that can help keep your nipples and the surrounding area, well moisturized. By preventing drying, lanolin can help prevent the recurrence of milk blisters. Your doctor might prescribe an antibiotic along with this ointment, to help clear the infection.
Read Also: Mastitis – Causes, Symptoms, Relief And Treatment
