Timely treatment of lactostasis is the key to long-term breastfeeding

The birth of a baby into the world is a miracle and happiness for any mother. With the advent of a child, breastfeeding crumbs comes to the fore. It happens that the mother’s milk is not enough, but it happens, on the contrary, an overabundance. Women often tend to think that the more milk, the better, until they encounter such a problem as lactostasis. It occurs when the baby cannot cope with the consumption of all the amount of milk that the mother produces. Today we will talk about the treatment of lactostasis, its symptoms and prevention.

Causes of maternal lactostasis

Lactostasis manifests itself with excessive production of breast milk, notes estet-portal.com. The second reason lies in the fact that sometimes there is a blockage of the ducts of the mammary glands, and milk does not pass into these ducts. There is a stagnation of milk in the milky ways, which can cause very unpleasant consequences up to the loss of lactation.

It develops for the following reasons:

• The diameter of the lumen of the milk ducts does not correspond to the rapid production of milk, it simply cannot cope with such a large load. This problem is common after the first childbirth;
• Cracks appear on the nipple or its shape is not convenient for the baby to grasp (flat nipple);
• When switching to artificial feeding, the mammary gland is not released from milk;
• When spasm of the mammary glands or ducts during stress;
• Possible injury or bruising in the chest area;
• Baby is applied in the wrong position for feeding or the position does not change, so milk does not come out of all available ducts. It happens that the baby does not completely empty the breast;
• Incorrectly selected underwear for a nursing mother, which squeezes or deforms any parts of the mammary glands;
• When staying in a draft or in a cold room, the milk ducts spasm.

There is a significant increase in lactation, mainly in the first days, when the child is just getting used to feeding. He doesn't quite own the sucking machine yet, so he doesn't empty his breasts completely.

How are the signs of lactostasis determined?

Most often, the situation with lactostasis manifests itself during the first birth. Since the milk ducts are not yet fully developed and this can make it difficult for the outflow of milk. With subsequent breastfeeding, this problem does not occur in most cases.

If milk stagnates in the milky ways, it causes pressure and swelling, which leads to inflammation and soreness of the tissues in this area. Further lactation in this part of the mammary gland becomes impossible, since the milk has nowhere to go. Any touch to this area of ​​the chest causes discomfort or severe pain.

The main indicators of developing lactostasis can be:

• Thickening of some sections of the mammary glands, the appearance of large tubercles in this area, pain when touching them;
• Strongly dilated veins in the chest area;
• A sharp rise in body temperature (within half an hour from 37 to 40 degrees)

How is lactostasis treated?

If timely measures are not taken to treat these symptoms, mastitis (inflammation of the mammary glands) may develop, which can later lead to a complete loss of lactation or mastopathy.

First you need to know how to prevent excess milk production:

• Limit fluid intake in the first days after childbirth. And this applies not only to drinks. But also liquid foods, such as soups. The total volume should not exceed 800 - 1000 ml per day.
• Try to put the baby to the breast more often, the more he sucks, the better the outflow of milk from the milky ways. Be sure to change positions when feeding your baby, this will empty all the milk ducts. If the breast is too full, some milk should be expressed so that the baby can properly latch onto the nipple.
• Be sure to try to express your breast after a feed if there is still milk left in the breast. Also do a special massage for the mammary glands, which will help develop stagnant zones. It is better, of course, to entrust this procedure to a specialist, in 5-10 sessions he will be able to properly set up the pumping process.
• If one breast gives you more trouble than the other, offer it to your baby more often.
• Warm compresses can be used to help open the milk ducts and improve milk flow.
• The use of ultrasonic waves for massage can also be effective.

In any case, the treatment of lactostasis should be started immediately after its diagnosis and not wait for the temperature to rise. The sooner you normalize the feeding system, the more comfortable you and your baby will be.