Patient's question:
Right breast doesn't get much milk, after eating it will be very painful.Doctor's answer:
Mothers' bodies need proper support to relax and nurse comfortably, while the baby's body and head should be in a straight line. Do not let the baby turn their head to the breast (the baby may struggle to latch onto the areola due to this incorrect and uncomfortable position, causing nipple injury, and may even stop sucking early, leading mothers to mistakenly think the baby doesn’t want to nurse! Often, once the correct and comfortable position is adjusted, the baby resumes nursing immediately!). The baby’s entire body should face the breast while nursing, with their abdomen pressed closely against the mother’s body.Correct breastfeeding positions ensure pain-free nursing, allowing the baby to latch onto the areola properly. This protects the mother’s nipples from being cracked and ensures the baby can effectively extract milk. If the mother feels persistent sharp pain while the baby is nursing, she should absolutely not endure it in vain. This will only make the baby suck harder, potentially causing them to become frustrated, and the mother’s nipples will be further damaged, making continuous nursing even more difficult. Therefore, pain-free breastfeeding is the correct way.
Comfortable nursing increases the willingness to breastfeed. In the first month after birth, babies nurse about eight to fourteen times a day. Since prolactin levels are higher at night, stopping nursing during the night may lead to breast engorgement and pain upon waking. It is recommended that mothers nurse comfortably while lying down and continue to meet the baby’s nighttime needs. Otherwise, constantly getting up will make the mother too tired, affecting her willingness to continue breastfeeding.
When breasts are swollen and uncomfortable, continuous nursing can improve the condition. About three days after birth, mothers may feel breast swelling and discomfort due to the initial surge of milk production. Remember! The most important action at this time is to let the baby nurse continuously. This discomfort will improve quickly. If nursing is stopped prematurely and manual expression is used instead, it may not only fail to effectively extract milk but also prolong the discomfort. When trying to nurse again later, the areola may be too tight for the baby to latch on, creating a vicious cycle that could discourage the mother. If the baby cannot nurse due to illness, the correct manual expression should be used every two to three hours, and the expressed milk should be given to caregivers to feed the baby with a dropper or cup. Once the baby’s condition allows direct nursing, efforts should be made to minimize nipple confusion and rejection.
Symptoms of mastitis
Mastitis can occur during lactation or non-lactation. Here, we discuss lactation-related mastitis. If swelling or blocked milk ducts are not properly addressed, they may develop into mastitis. The symptoms are similar to the flu: fatigue, chills, fever, body aches, and pain in one or both breasts, or redness, swelling, and hard lumps in a specific area. Clinically, doctors will first prescribe oral pain relievers and antibiotics (which do not affect continued breastfeeding). If an abscess forms, surgical incision and drainage may be necessary. During this process, the mother may be most confused about: besides medical treatment, what else can she do to relieve or improve breast discomfort?
How to address breast discomfort caused by mastitis
When discomfort begins, the mother should immediately assess whether she is overly tired, stressed, under pressure, or not nursing at the right times, leading to prolonged milk discharge. Is the same nursing position being used, causing some milk to remain unextracted or blocked ducts due to overly thick milk? Or has the breast been injured by pain? The mother should relax, rest more, ensure the baby latches on correctly, and seek guidance from experienced mothers or caregivers with proper knowledge to learn different nursing positions. This ensures all milk ducts are cleared and try to nurse more from the painful side. Gently massage the hardened area toward the nipple while the baby nurses to help express the milk. If possible, adjust the position so the baby’s chin can reach the hardened area, which may help soften it. Timely treatment can effectively improve the condition without worsening it.
No breast care is needed before nursing
Old beliefs suggest breast care before nursing is necessary, but this is unnecessary! The breasts only need one normal cleaning per day. The Montgomery glands on the areola have a cleaning and lubricating function, protecting and keeping the nipples clean. Therefore, only water should be used to clean the nipples to avoid removing natural oils. Proper bras should be worn at all times.
Improving breast engorgement and pain
Initially, when breasts are swollen and painful, apply cold or ice packs when not nursing to relieve pain and make milk flow easier (cabbage leaves or frozen vegetable particles from the supermarket can be used as ice packs). A thin cloth should be placed between the skin and the ice pack to prevent frostbite. Avoid using heat at this time, as it may increase swelling and cause harm. For localized redness, swelling, and hard lumps, apply a warm, damp towel to the affected area at least four times a day, or gently massage the area toward the nipple while showering with warm water. Continue nursing. If the areola is too tight for the baby to latch on, express a little milk first to make it easier. Never stop nursing, as continuous milk flow helps relieve discomfort quickly. Additionally, frequent nursing increases metabolism, which can help lower body temperature caused by engorgement.
Advice on breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is like eating sugarcane from the bottom up. As long as the baby is introduced to the breast immediately after birth and the mother has the correct understanding to address discomfort early, and finds a supportive counselor during difficult times, mastitis will not be an obstacle in the breastfeeding journey. Every moment of nursing will become the most beautiful memory of a lifetime!