Patient's question:
Two weeks after giving birth, I have been exclusively breastfeeding. The past couple of days, both my breasts have been a bit sore. Is this normal?Doctor's answer:
Disease Analysis: Acute mastitis (acutemastitis) is a common condition. It is more prevalent in women during the postpartum lactation period, especially among first-time mothers. It often occurs between 3 to 4 weeks postpartum, with Staphylococcus aureus being the most common causative agent.Clinical manifestations include: swelling and pain in the affected breast, hardness of the affected area, etc. Your condition is: breast pain during lactation. Therefore, acute mastitis is the primary consideration.
Recommendations:
Treatment: Maintain nipple hygiene. Breastfeed at regular intervals and ensure the milk is fully expressed. If the milk cannot be fully expressed, it should be manually expressed. Clean the nipples with clean water or a 3% boric acid solution before and after breastfeeding to maintain cleanliness.
If the nipples have cracks or damage, it is advisable to temporarily stop breastfeeding and use a breast pump to fully express the milk. Breastfeeding should be resumed only after the wound has healed. If there is a noticeable fluctuation or fever in the breast, it is recommended to undergo a breast ultrasound examination. If a breast abscess develops, incision and drainage may be necessary.