Breastfeeding breast pain

When breastfeeding, some mothers who have poor milk supply or who are accustomed to letting their babies sleep with their nipples in their mouths will experience a pricking pain in their breasts. Some mothers may also have lumps with unclear boundaries that are particularly painful when touched. Some mothers, in addition to the above symptoms, also have high fever, headache, general weakness and other discomfort symptoms, which are most likely caused by acute lactation mastitis.

1. Concept

Acute lactational mastitis refers to an acute suppurative infection of the breast. It is a common disease in the postpartum period and one of the causes of postpartum fever. It is most common in lactating women, especially primiparas. It can occur at any time during lactation but is most common at the beginning of lactation.

2. Causes

1. Milk stasis: Milk stasis is conducive to the growth and reproduction of invading bacteria.

2. Bacterial invasion: When the nipple is inverted, it is difficult for the baby to suck milk, and it is easy to cause damage around the nipple.

Symptoms

1. The initial symptoms of acute simple mastitis are mainly breast pain, local tenderness, and the appearance of hard nodules with unclear boundaries and tenderness.

2. In acute suppurative mastitis, the local skin becomes red, swollen, hot, and painful, with obvious nodules. At the same time, the patient may experience chills, high fever, headache, weakness, rapid pulse, and other general weakness. At this time, swollen lymph nodes may appear in the armpits and be tender.

3. Abscess formation: Due to ineffective treatment measures or further aggravation of the disease, local tissues undergo necrosis and liquefaction, and infection foci of varying sizes fuse together to form abscesses.

IV. Treatment

1. Treatment of acute lactation mastitis before abscess formation:

① Stop breastfeeding on the affected breast to avoid affecting the baby's health; at the same time, promote smooth discharge of milk and remove factors that cause milk stasis.

② Local physical therapy and hot compress are beneficial to the early dissipation of inflammation.

③ Local blockade: can promote the dissipation of early inflammation.

④Systemic anti-infection: application of antibiotics.

⑤ Treatment with traditional Chinese medicine: mainly focusing on soothing the liver, clearing away heat, resolving stagnation and promoting lactation. It is generally believed that the shorter the course of the disease, the better the effect of acupuncture, and treatment is best within 24 hours; if the course of the disease is too long or suppuration has occurred, the effect is often poor.

2. Maintain the baby's oral hygiene, do not let the baby sleep with the nipple in the mouth, and use a bra to support the breasts after breastfeeding.

3. The diet should be light and easy to digest, eat less food that may cause dizziness, and avoid spicy food. Persuade patients to relieve their worries and eliminate negative emotions.

5. Prevention

1. Wet mothers should pay attention to rest, keep a good mood, remain emotionally stable and optimistic, and avoid anger and depression. Because excessive fatigue or adverse mental stimulation can induce or aggravate acute mastitis.

2. The diet should be light and nutritious, such as fresh lotus root, loofah, milk, etc.; avoid spicy, irritating, and greasy foods. Too greasy food can make the milk too thick, causing blockage of the mammary ducts and inducing acute mastitis.

3. Breastfeed on schedule and keep nipples clean, and avoid exposing your breasts when breastfeeding in the wind. You need to express all the milk during each breastfeeding session. If there is still milk accumulation, use a hot towel to apply and try to drain the milk out. If breast congestion cannot be eliminated, you should go to a breast specialist clinic for treatment in time.