Our site uses cookies to make your experience on this site even better. We hope you think that is sweet.
Nursing mothers generally experience breast pain at some point of time. There are numerous reasons behind this occurrence. The main cause of most of breast pain experienced by nursing mothers is plugged ducts.
Milk ducts are tiny tubes that extend from the tissues that produce milk to the nipples. When one of these ducts is clogged for some cause, a tender lump develops as the milk backs up behind that point. These plugged ducks cause discomfort and pain, if not cleared quickly. This so happens because, when the milk is backed up for some time, it will become thicker and find hard to flow again. The bacteria can grow in this backed up milk leading to infections and also develops pain.
Plugged ducts, when not given immediate attention can progress to a condition called Mastitis. Mastitis is the infection of the breast tissues which usually develops when bacteria from the baby’s mouth enter the duct through cracked or sored nipple. In extreme cases, breast abscess develops. This is a very painful condition in which the swollen area is collected with pus. The swollen lumps look reddish and feel hot due to intense infection. Fever and flu-like symptoms can also develop during this phase.
No, plugged ducts usually affect only one breast at a time. But when it is left unattended and it develops to mastitis, and the bacteria that associated is strep instead of staph, both breasts can be infected and become hard to treat.
Yes. In fact, if you do not feed your baby with the plugged breast the matter will get worst as more milk starts to back up and the intensity of the clog will increase. Ensuring that the milk flows again is the remedy for plugged ducts and the suckling of the breast by your baby is the best way to get the duct unclogged. The antibacterial properties of the breast milk will safeguard your baby from infection even if the duct develops an infection.
The milk flow will be very slow in the infected breast and the baby prefers to drink easy flowing milk from the other breast. But you should encourage your baby to drink from the breast with plugged ducts. Even though in the beginning of feeding you experience the pain which seems intolerable, you could magically experience the reduction in the pain when your baby properly suckles the milk.
Early weeks of nursing, and during the winter months more, more nursing women are found to be prone to plugged ducts.
You should seek immediate medical attention if:
The basic cause can be the breast is not completely getting empty off the milk when the mother has abundant milk supply. Any factors that contribute the incomplete drainage of milk ducts can increase the chances of plugged ducts.
Most of the plugged ducts will disappear in a couple of days if they are detected and treated early. Letting the milk flow freely through the ducts as soon as possible will flush the bacteria that cause the infection out of the system before allowing it to multiply. The aim of all the treatments done for plugged ducts lays emphasis on emptying your breast completely and frequently. Here are some methods that help you to get rid of the plugged ducts very fast.
Always respond to the plugged duct quickly. You can always detect it as its formation usually occur slowly. Early detection and early treatment guarantee less pain and quick relief.
Read more on breastfeeding in our section here.
Come on, sell the idea of signing up with us in two lines so well that they HAVE to sign up.
Is It Safe to Take Alprazolam (Xanax) While Breastfeeding?
'Baby Talking' Or 'Parentese' - What's Your Pick?
10 Alarming Postnatal Symptoms That Need Medical Attention
10 Best Weaning Foods For Your Baby
10 Common Mistakes That New Parents Make
Get regular updates, great recommendations and other right stuff at the right time.