feeding positions for lactostasis

Breastfeeding is one of the happiest periods in the life of every woman. After all, with mother’s milk, the baby receives all the vitamins and microelements necessary for development, as well as immunoglobulins, which prevent the child from contracting infections. However, problems often arise during the feeding period. One of the most common is lactostasis, or stagnation of milk in the breast. This phenomenon is very dangerous for a woman, and therefore you need to act very quickly. How to strain milk stagnation at home and what needs to be done to avoid lactostasis?

What is lactostasis

Lactostasis is stagnation of milk in the breast during breastfeeding, which most often develops due to a violation of the outflow in one or more ducts of the mammary gland.

Milk stagnation can occur regardless of the duration of lactation, the age of the baby, or the type of child. Externally, lactostasis manifests itself in the form of a painful tubercle, sometimes accompanied by redness of the skin. The general health of the woman remains normal without an increase in temperature.

Treatment of the pathological process must begin quickly, otherwise there is a possibility of inflammation developing, followed by infectious mastitis and tissue abscess. These diseases are eliminated surgically while taking antibacterial drugs.

Causes of milk stagnation

Most often, lactostasis develops in conditions created not for one, but for several reasons, adding up to a whole complex:

poor breast emptying;
violation of the outflow of milk from a certain area of the mammary gland;
excess milk production.

In turn, in each of these complexes a number of specific reasons can be identified:

Poor breast emptying:

Rarely putting the baby to the breast;
insufficient water intake by mother;
refusal of night feedings or rare feedings during the arrival of milk;
improper attachment to the baby's breast;
large breast capacity;
supplementary feeding of the child with artificial formula;
poor breastfeeding by the baby;
excessive passion for pacifiers.

Impaired milk flow from a certain area of the mammary gland:

use of nipple shields;
damage to the chest in the past as a result of trauma, surgery;
improper use of a breast pump;
presence of mastopathy in the past;
Mom wearing a bra that is too tight;
sleeping on your stomach;
anatomical features associated with poor milk passage;
insufficient rest, stressful situations, mental and physical overload.

Excess milk production:

hyperlactation caused by excessive pumping;
genetic predisposition;
increased levels of prolactin in the blood.

Finding out the causes of lactostasis plays an important role in preventing its recurrence in the future.

Causes

A milk plug does not appear in the breast by itself. Common causes of lactostasis are as follows:

Infrequent feeding by the hour.

Neonatologists and pediatricians unanimously recommend not adhering to a strict regimen and not limiting the baby to breast milk. A break of more than 3–3.5 hours between feedings is unacceptable.

No change in body position.

Feeding in one position or constantly falling asleep in an identical position leads to compression of some lobes. The child empties them untimely, the result is stagnation of milk.

Chronic fatigue.

Psychosomatics are a common cause of milk plugs. Stress and nervous exhaustion lead to spasms of the mammary gland ducts and disruption of fluid outflow.

Incorrect feeding.

If the child does not latch onto the nipple successfully, the effect of the process is reduced. The breasts become overfilled with milk, which selectively blocks the ducts. This point includes incorrect latching of the breast during lactation by the nursing mother herself. Often, a woman intentionally puts pressure on the nipple area to make it easier for the baby to breathe.

Uncomfortable underwear.

Purchasing a tight bra is not recommended for nursing mothers. It is not uncommon for women to wear underwear around the clock due to periodic leakage of milk. Constant pressure on the ducts compresses them, causing stagnation. In this regard, sleeping on your stomach is not recommended.

Viscous milk.

Excessively fatty and thick milk blocks the milk ducts, creates a plug in the glandular lobes, and leads to lactostasis. This occurs due to a small amount of fluid drunk and excessive consumption of fatty foods.

Constant pumping.

The body of a nursing woman works according to a well-known principle: filling with milk is equivalent to the degree of emptying of the breast. Therefore, when the baby sucks his quota, and the mother additionally expresses the rest, the next time the baby is filled, there will be more fluid. The chest becomes full and stagnation is inevitable.

In addition to the above situations, blockage of the ducts is observed when breastfeeding stops, when a woman bandages her breasts, or when the mammary gland is injured or hypothermia. Sometimes the cause of lactostasis is a genetic predisposition or hormonal disorders.

Symptoms of milk stagnation

Lactostasis can be easily recognized. Its signs are:

feeling of fullness, heaviness in the mammary gland;
milk is poorly expressed - in a small stream, drops;
redness at the site of the lesion;
the appearance of lumpy compactions that, when touched, cause severe pain.

Milk stagnation with fever also happens. In advanced cases, it can reach maximum levels. At the initial stages, the increase is insignificant - up to 37.5 ° C, or absent altogether.

Lactostasis or mastitis?

Mastitis is a consequence of advanced lactostasis. If, despite all the treatment, the temperature persists for more than 2-3 days, and the condition continues to worsen, this is a reason to contact a specialist. These symptoms may indicate the onset of the development of non-infectious mastitis, which already requires serious medical treatment. Mastitis complicated by infection is called infectious and in some cases requires surgical intervention. Breastfeeding with any form of mastitis is prohibited.

Is it possible to feed a baby with lactostasis?

If you have lactostasis, it is not recommended to stop breastfeeding. On the contrary, lactation must continue. And the more often you apply it, the faster you can get rid of stagnation. It is the baby who is able to quickly and easily free the milk ducts from accumulated milk.

Put your baby to your breast even more often than you did before.
Allow your baby to suck on the breast instead of a pacifier, even if he is not hungry.
Try to give your baby the problematic breast more often, and to avoid stagnation of milk in the second breast, express it.

Important! Apply the baby to the breast correctly (so that it does not grasp the nipple, but most of the areola).

Choose a feeding position that places your baby's chin closer to the affected area, as the lobe of the breast where your baby's tongue is is best emptied. If this is problematic, better monitor the child’s correct latch on the breast. In this case, the entire breast is emptied evenly.

Special exercises for lactostasis

How to soften lumps in the breasts formed during lactostasis, in addition to massage procedures? To normalize the outflow of milk from narrowed ducts and stimulate blood circulation in the glands, there are a number of simple exercises:

Your arms should be raised and bent at the elbows. Next, rest your forearms on the jambs or find another support located vertically. The chest makes springing movements towards the jamb and back.
Repeat the same exercise, but not with two hands, but with one. With the fingers of the second hand, the opposite side of the affected breast, easily grab the lump of compaction and gently pull it down. When the lump slips out, lightly squeeze it again.

The main thing in performing such exercises is not to overdo it and not cause a feeling of discomfort in the chest muscles. If the load is distributed correctly, as a result, after a few days, the seals will completely dissolve, and the outflow of milk will improve.

How to cure lactostasis at home

You can get rid of milk stagnation during breastfeeding at home. However, taking medications is not always necessary. Of course, in each specific case an individual approach to the problem that has arisen is required, preferably with the advice of a specialist.

Breastfeeding

As mentioned above, your baby actively suckling at the breast can help treat lactostasis.

One of the most difficult areas to treat is stagnation of milk in the axillary lobe, but this can also be eliminated if you use the right feeding position. The child should be positioned in such a way that his chin “looks” at the problem area:

sector “1” – positions “cradle” and “cross cradle”;
sector “2” – position “from under the hand”;
sector “3” – positions “lying on one’s side” and “lying on one’s side with a jack”.

What if the child cannot dissolve the stagnation of milk due to severe swelling of the gland? In this case, the method of softening the halos with pressure will help. It should also be carried out before putting the baby to the breast.

Here's what to do:

place your fingers on the areola so that their tips touch the base of the nipple;
lightly press the areola with your fingertips towards the chest;
remain in this position for at least 2 minutes;
when indentations appear on both sides of the nipple, move your fingers in a circular motion a few millimeters, but so that the resulting new area slightly overlaps the old one, and repeat the action;
move along all segments of the halo in a circle, softening it. Pay special attention to the area where your baby's chin will be during feeding.

If the swelling is too severe, then the pressure time should be increased by a few more minutes. After this, express your breasts a little and feel free to put your baby on it.

The second most effective method for treating lactostasis after putting a baby to the breast is pumping.

Pumping

It is best to express breast milk when there is stagnation by hand, but always before feeding the baby. Only in this case will the child be able to dissolve the accumulated milk clots faster and more completely. It is also possible to strain milk stagnation with a breast pump, but only with simultaneous breast massage in the direction of the nipple.

Important! There is no need to pump after feeding. On the contrary, this will only increase the flow of milk, and the pain will become even more unbearable.

Technique for expressing milk for lactostasis.

To strain the thoracic ducts, you need to take a comfortable position.
Then position 4 fingers so that they are under the chest, and the fifth (big) is on top.
Now you need to feel the blocked area. It should be lumpy. When the “enemy” is detected, proceed to neutralize it.
Gently apply pressure on this area towards the nipple. Try to express everything you can.
It is best to pump under a warm shower or while sitting chest-deep in a bath of warm water.

Video about expressing breast milk by hand - doctor's advice

Additional measures to treat lactostasis may include:

massage;
compresses;
medicines;
physiotherapy.

Massage

Massage helps a lot with lactostasis. Moreover, this is one of the most effective methods that quickly relieve milk stagnation. But it should be carried out extremely carefully. The main rule is not to cause pain (mild discomfort is acceptable). Otherwise, this can lead to even more severe swelling and injury to the mammary gland.

You need to start with light stroking, then begin non-pressure circular movements with 4 fingers (you need to stroke not the skin, but the fabric underneath it).
This is followed by kneading the stagnation of milk in the breast from top to bottom along the idle duct towards the nipple.
To do this, you need to feel the bumpy area and move your fingers down, lightly pressing on the chest, as if rolling the lump from the top of the breast to the nipple area. The pressure should be increased gradually, but it should not be too painful.
Pressure should begin from the edge of the tubercle. First, pressing lightly on the area itself, and then increasing the pressure, but towards the nipple. Then move to the underlying compaction area and repeat the procedure. In this way, work your way from the seal to the nipple.

With this massage you can squeeze out the milk clot through the canal in the nipple.

Important! Another effective massage option is a shower. The water should be warm and the stream powerful. Additionally, the affected area is rubbed with honey if there is no allergy to it.

Here are some more useful tips.

To massage the breasts, you can use special oil, then you can slide your hands over the surface of the skin.
While breastfeeding, massage the breast at the site of the lump towards the nipple.
It is allowed to gently squeeze the breast while feeding the baby. This will speed up the flow of fluid from the clogged gland.
Immediately after the massage, place your baby on your breast.
Massage should be done as often as possible - always before feeding, pumping and after them.

And remember: if a breast massage is performed, it should not hurt the mother. A woman’s patience can result in breast injury and tissue damage.

Compresses

Compresses can be used for any form of lactostasis, including when the temperature rises, but always not hot, but cold.

In fact, it doesn’t matter at all what exactly you apply to your chest, the main thing is that it is cold. This can be a towel soaked in cold water or ice cubes in cellophane wrapped in a towel. The main goal of the procedure is to reduce blood circulation in order to reduce swelling and slow down milk production.

Such compresses should be made after feeding the baby; their duration should be short - 10-15 minutes. As soon as discomfort occurs, the procedure should be stopped.

Among the folk remedies for lactostasis are the so-called absorbable compresses. Unfortunately, they do not have any scientific evidence base, but, according to many mothers, they are very effective. Such compresses do not necessarily have to be cold; it is allowed if the applied ingredient is at room temperature. There are also no strict instructions for use. Absorbable compresses can be placed on the chest for either a few minutes or several hours, without being tied to feeding the baby. So these could be:

cut or beaten cabbage leaf;
cold cottage cheese;
flatbread made from a mixture of honey and flour/bread;
fabric soaked in mumiyo solution.

Medicines and dietary supplements

There are medications that are recommended for use specifically for milk stagnation during breastfeeding. Here are the most effective ones.

"Traumel" marked "C". This is a drug of homeopathic origin. Prescribed for chest pain, to eliminate the inflammatory process, improve lymph and blood circulation, and improve vascular patency. The product should be applied 4-5 times a day, including before lactation.
Arnica ointment. Improves blood circulation by warming tissues. Has a local irritant effect.
Ointment or liquid con. The drug belongs to the dietary supplement. Relieves swelling and can reduce pain.
Magnesium sulfate. It is used in the form of a compress from the contents of ready-made ampoules sold in pharmacies.
Gel "Progestogel". Contains the hormone progesterone, which suppresses milk production. The absorption of fluid from the breast tissue improves, swelling and compression of the milk ducts decreases. Apply in the form of applications 1-2 times a day for 2 days. The use of the drug is not supported by lactation consultants due to decreased lactation.
Dietary supplement lecithin . It is recommended to take for frequently recurring congestion. Lecithin is a natural emulsifier that reduces surface tension at the interface between two phases, helping the resulting clot to dissolve. Dosage 1200 mg 3-4 times a day.

If the mother has stagnation of milk with a temperature, then you can take an antipyretic drug based on paracetamol or ibuprofen. However, if the situation allows, it is better not to do this, since the temperature allows the body to fight the proliferation of bacteria in the place of stagnation of milk, helps to quickly get rid of the resulting plug due to the expansion of the thoracic ducts and is an indicator of the mother’s condition.

Important! Prolonged fever for more than two days is a reason to consult a specialist, as it may indicate incipient mastitis.

Physiotherapy with ultrasound

It will help get rid of plugs in the mammary gland ducts and locally increase the temperature of the tissue. It is carried out by qualified personnel upon the direction of a doctor in a clinic or maternity hospital. After the procedure, you should put the baby to the breast or express milk. It is not prescribed in case of an inflammatory process, otherwise the situation can only worsen.

Usually one or two procedures are sufficient. If there is no effect, you should stop treatment and seek advice from a specialist.

What not to do

Action	Cause
Stop putting your baby to the breast, even if there is a fever.	A child suckling the breast is the most important treatment for treating lactostasis, so breastfeeding should not be stopped or limited. Breast milk, when stagnated in the mammary gland, does not lose its value for the child and is not harmful to his health.
Immediately after the temperature rises, take antipyretics.	Temperature is a protective reaction of the body that allows one to assess the condition of the mother. At the same time, heat does not affect the quality of milk. The use of antipyretics is possible only in extreme cases or if a woman does not tolerate the temperature well.
Try to express your breasts to the last drop.	The more you empty your breasts, the faster they will fill. You only need to express before feeding.
Apply warming compresses and do physiotherapy after feeding.	Heat will increase blood circulation and aggravate milk stagnation. Warming procedures can only be done before feeding, and not after it.
Apply alcohol-containing products to the chest, as well as camphor oil, Vishnevsky ointment, Dimexide.	These remedies will not bring any real benefit. They can negatively affect the taste of milk, cause local burns and even slow down milk production in some parts.
Ask your husband to suck out the clots.	There is a risk of nipple initiation and cracking. However, subject to cleanliness and careful handling, such an action is permissible.
Use medications that inhibit lactation and reduce milk supply.	Dostinex is one of these drugs. Its effect is reduced to reducing prolactin, but it has no effect on stagnation itself.
Take antibiotics, use Levomekol.	Taking most antibiotics is not compatible with breastfeeding. As a result, the main method of treating lactostasis, breastfeeding, will not be available. Levomekol is used only for purulent mastitis.
Drink No-shpa and similar antispasmodics.	No-spa is not capable of expanding the thoracic ducts, as some believe.
Wait until lactostasis disappears on its own.	The situation is more likely to worsen than improve.
Express your breasts while experiencing severe pain.	This creates a risk of injuring the breasts and causing swelling.
Open a white dot yourself if it is present on the nipple.	You can easily get infected. It is better to try steaming the nipple with warm water and then offer the breast to the baby.

Video advice from a doctor

How to treat a nursing mother?

Severe milk stagnation during breastfeeding is a dangerous condition. Therefore, you should not hesitate to complete the therapeutic course.

Self-medication at home is fraught with deterioration of the condition and the appearance of a number of serious complications. Therapy must be selected by a doctor and carried out under his supervision.

To eliminate signs of lactostasis, the following methods are used:

compresses;
ointments;
folk remedies;
massage.

Doctors advise a comprehensive approach to the treatment of this pathological condition. This will help you quickly get rid of unwanted symptoms and restore normal lactation.

Compresses

Compresses involve applying a piece of gauze soaked in a medicinal solution to the chest. This procedure is not the main method of therapy. But it can significantly alleviate the mother’s condition.

To treat lactostasis with compresses at home, the following remedies are used:

magnesia _ Helps improve blood flow and resolve seals. Sold in pharmacies in the form of a powder or solution in ampoules. Soak a napkin in the liquid solution. Apply the material to the sore area of the chest. After the compress, it is recommended to lubricate the skin with a moisturizer, since magnesium sulfate has a drying effect. The effectiveness of this method is confirmed by reviews from women. But you need to keep in mind that magnesium can cause an allergic reaction. Therefore, if a burning sensation occurs, the compress should be removed immediately and the breasts should be washed with a cloth soaked in clean water;
ice compress . It is applied to the areola of the nipple. After cooling, the breasts are kneaded and expressed. The course includes from 10 to 15 such procedures;
Malavit . Eliminates inflammation, itching, pain. Great for helping with milk stagnation. The ointment is diluted with water, gauze is soaked in it and applied to the sore area of the chest. Carry out procedures between feedings. Applications are made several times a day;
Syntomycin ointment . Removes swelling and manifestations of the inflammatory process. Apply to the chest and cover with a piece of gauze. The product should be used twice a day.

The compress effectively removes swelling and pain due to stagnation of milk in the gland ducts.

Ointments

To treat lactostasis, doctors often prescribe external agents to women. They have a local effect and quickly eliminate pain and discomfort.

The following remedies give good results in the treatment of lactostasis:

Arnica . This is a homeopathic medicine. Eliminates pain and swelling. Improves milk flow. It also has a hemostatic effect and prevents the appearance of hematomas. Arnica should be applied 2-3 times a day for 1-2 weeks. During treatment, it is better to stop breastfeeding, since the composition of the medication may cause irritation. The drug costs 80 rubles;
Troxevasin . Improves the movement of venous blood, normalizes the performance of the milk ducts. For lactostasis, the drug should be used up to two times a day until the acute condition is relieved. Troxevasin costs 200 rubles;
Heparin ointment . Contains benzocaine and sodium heparin. Has antithrombotic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory effects. The product improves blood circulation and promotes the resorption of compactions. Heparin ointment should be applied twice a day for up to two weeks. The cost of the medicine varies between 30-80 rubles;
Traumeel . This is a multicomponent drug. Used in antihomotoxic treatment. Quickly eliminates the unpleasant symptoms of lactostasis and mastitis. Improves lymph circulation, blood flow, removes inflammation, pain, heals cracked nipples. It has a regulating, immunocorrective and detoxifying effect. Facilitates the pumping process. The product should be applied three times a day. Traumeel costs about 500 rubles;
Ichthyol ointment . This is a powerful antiseptic. Effectively copes with inflammation of the mammary glands, reduces the severity of pain. The active component of the drug can penetrate the mother's blood and cause digestive upset in the child. Therefore, when using the ointment, lactation is temporarily stopped. You need to apply the ointment 2-3 times a day. The medicine costs about 70 rubles;
Rescuer . Great for helping with congestion. It has antiseptic, softening, analgesic, regenerating, antibacterial, vasodilating, antioxidant, nutritional properties. The Rescuer costs 200 rubles;
Lyoton . Improves microcirculation, stops the inflammatory process, removes swelling, resolves hematomas. The drug has an antithrombotic effect. The ointment should be applied to the chest up to three times a day. Lyoton costs about 350 rubles.

Traumeel ointment

If there are complications, ointments alone will not be enough for treatment. For purulent mastitis with abscesses, you need to take pills and give injections.

Breast massage

With lactostasis, manual therapy helps well. When massaging the breasts, blood circulation improves, congestion and spasms of the ducts are eliminated, and muscles relax. As a result of this action, milk yield is normalized. Massage is a good prevention of mastitis.

But it must be done correctly so as not to lead to a number of negative consequences. Do not put strong pressure on the chest. Movements should be light and smooth. It is recommended to massage your breasts before or shortly after feeding.

Algorithm for the procedure:

wash your hands thoroughly;
lubricate the skin with oil (vegetable, olive or castor). It is important to ensure that fat does not get on the nipples;
take the breast in your hand;
With your free hand, stroke from the base of the breast to the nipples. It is important to carefully treat the entire surface, including the axillary and lower parts;
perform light squeezing movements. Particular attention should be paid to seals. The skin must be kneaded very carefully;
Pat the entire surface of the mammary gland with your fingertips;
perform similar manipulations with the second breast;
bend over and gently shake your bust. This will help the milk drain.

It is recommended to perform a massage in front of a mirror. This way, the woman will have a better view of the entire treated area.

Folk remedies

Folk remedies involve the use of the healing properties of plants and products. They are accessible, harmless and effective. But you need to remember that an allergic reaction may occur to some components of the recipes. Therefore, alternative medicine methods should be used carefully.

Effective folk methods:

baked onion . Removes inflammation. The onion needs to be cut into four parts and baked along with the husk. Cool and apply to the sore area of the chest for a couple of hours, securing with a band-aid;
eucalyptus decoction . Relieves inflammation and softens seals. Pour a tablespoon of dry raw material into a glass of cold water and bring to a boil. Cook for about 15 minutes. After cooling, strain the mixture and use for compresses;
raw potatoes . Removes pain and swelling. A large tuber needs to be peeled and grated on a coarse grater. Place the mixture on a piece of gauze. Make an applique on the chest;
tea mushroom . Helps stop the inflammatory process and remove compaction. A piece of kombucha should be applied to the sore area of the mammary gland.