My milk is swollen but I can't squeeze it out

The phenomenon of milk engorgement is very common during lactation. It is mainly caused by the excessive amount of milk secreted and the baby eating too little, and the inability to excrete the excess milk in time. However, some new mothers will take some measures to express milk, but the milk cannot be squeezed out. Not only do they feel uncomfortable, but they are also worried that it will affect the feeding of the fetus. So, what’s going on when your milk is swollen but you can’t squeeze it out?

If the mammary ducts are blocked, milk cannot be secreted, and the milk cannot be sucked out, causing bloating and pain, and it can also easily cause acute mastitis. You can go to the hospital's breast department or hire a lactation consultant to promote the patency of the mammary ducts and promote milk secretion by taking medication or massage.

You can also use hot compresses. After applying hot compress to the breasts, you can massage the breasts. There are many ways to massage the breasts. Generally, hold one breast with both hands and massage alternately from the bottom of the breast to the nipple. If there is still milk leaking, you can squeeze the milk into a container.

Soaking your breasts in warm water or taking a hot bath can also help promote breast patency. Place a basin of warm water on your knees, then bend your upper body to your knees, let your breasts soak in the basin, and gently shake your breasts. Gravity will allow the milk to flow out more easily. If the breasts are still swollen and painful, the mother can take a hot bath and massage the breasts, which will feel more comfortable.

It takes about 5-7 days for milk to increase after weaning. During this period, mothers can stop weaning by eating some weaning foods, such as malt, leeks, bitter gourd and other ingredients and seasonings such as pepper and fennel. The diet should be light and avoid greasy and irritating foods. Do not drink nourishing and lactation-inducing soups, so as not to stimulate milk secretion and prolong the milk swelling time.

The reasons for the continued secretion of milk after weaning are :

1. The lactation mechanism has not stopped.

2. Hyperprolactinemia: If milk is still secreted after weaning, it is very likely that you have hyperprolactinemia. This is due to endocrine disorders and excessively high prolactin levels. If the mother has symptoms such as amenorrhea, menstrual disorders, and lactation, she should go to the hospital for a detailed examination.

3. Pituitary tumor in the brain: If you have a pituitary tumor in the brain, it will cause vigorous milk secretion after weaning. Pituitary tumor in the brain is also one of the causes of hyperprolactinemia.

4. Breast tumors: Common symptoms of breast tumors include breast pain, nipple discharge, etc. If milk secretion continues for a long time after weaning, it is recommended to go to the hospital for a physical examination.

5. Breast hyperplasia: Breast hyperplasia will cause you to secrete milk after weaning. If you only secrete a small amount of milk after weaning, you don’t need to worry. Just seek medical attention in time and take medicine under the doctor’s guidance. If the amount is small, it may be caused by breast hyperplasia.