What should I do if my breasts are swollen and I can't squeeze them out?

Sometimes, mothers will experience breast engorgement during the breastfeeding period. They cannot squeeze the milk out, which is very uncomfortable and they will feel breast pain. There are many reasons for this situation. For example, the baby lacks effective sucking, which makes it impossible for the mother's milk to be discharged. This will cause milk accumulation, resulting in blockage of the mammary glands and causing breast engorgement. At this time, some methods can be used to relieve the symptoms and promote milk discharge.

What should I do if my breasts are swollen and I can't squeeze them 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 continued milk secretion after weaning include:

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 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 also lead to vigorous milk secretion after weaning. Pituitary tumor in the brain is also one of the causes of hyperprolactinemia. 4. Breast tumor: Common symptoms of breast tumors include breast pain, nipple discharge, etc. If there is long-term milk secretion after weaning, it is recommended to go to the hospital for a physical examination. 5. Breast hyperplasia: Breast hyperplasia can cause you to have milk secretion after weaning. If you only have a small amount of milk secretion after weaning, you don’t have to worry, just seek medical attention in time and take medicine under the guidance of the doctor. If the amount is very small, it may be caused by breast hyperplasia.

<<: Why do I have diarrhea every time I have my period?

>>: What to do if breast pain and milk is not coming out