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PLUGGED DUCTS AND BREAST INFECTIONS
PLUGGED DUCTS: If you notice a tender
spot, redness, or sore lump in the breast and you do NOT have a fever,
the most likely cause is a plugged milk duct. This usually occurs
because the duct is not draining properly and has become inflamed.
Plugged ducts most often come on gradually and they may shift in
location. Most of the time only one breast is affected. You should feel
little or no heat on the affected area and you will probably feel
generally well with a temperature of less than 101 degrees.
Treatment includes the following: Apply heat (a warm shower or
bath, heating pad, hot water bottle) to and massage the affected area
prior to nursing or pumping. When massaging the area use a gentle, but
firm circular motion as you work your way down from the area toward the
nipple. Nurse your baby or pump immediately after treating the area
with the heat and massage; continue the massage during nursing/pumping.
Nurse or pump the affected breast at least every 2 hours as long as the
symptoms persist. Always nurse baby on the affected side first. As you
nurse or pump, loosen any constrictive clothing, especially your bra.
Varying nursing positions and making sure that baby is latched properly
may help to relieve the plug as well. Some moms find that leaning over
the sink while massaging allows gravity to help with dislodging the
plug. Soaking your breast in salt water or splashing salt water upon
the breast and applying warmed, moist cabbage leaves to the affected
area may also promote healing. Advil or Motrin can both be taken for
any pain and will also helped to reduce the inflammation. Adequate rest
is essential as a plugged duct may be the first sign that you are
trying to do too much. If after one week of careful treatment to the
affected area, the symptoms are still present or have escalated into
symptoms of a bacterial infection ( see below), contact your doctor
IMMEDIATELY!
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BREAST INFECTIONS:If
your breast soreness or lump is accompanied by a fever of 101 degrees
or more and/or flu-like symptoms (feeling tired, exhausted, or achy)
that come on suddenly you may have a breast infection. Your breast may
feel hot and look red and swollen. Usually this occurs in only one
breast. You also may experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or
headache. Other members of your family may be suffering with a cold or
the flu at the same time. If you develop these symptoms, consult your
doctor IMMEDIATELY! You will probably be prescribed an oral antibiotic
which you should continue until it is finished. Symptoms usually
improve within 48 hours after you begin your medication. If there is no
improvement after this, follow-up with your doctor. A change in
medication or treatment may be needed. Additional treatment for breast
infection is the same as the treatment outlined above for plugged
ducts.
With plugged ducts or breast
infections, breastfeeding can and should continue! Suspending
breastfeeding during episodes such as this can only serve to impede
healing and aggravate symptoms. Your baby is not at risk when nursing
while you have a breast infection. The infection is within the milk
ducts, not within the milk itself.
Written by Becky Flora, BSed, IBCLC
Last revision: January 23, 2002
Source: La Leche League International's "The Breastfeeding Answer Book" (1997) by Nancy Mohrbacher, IBCLC and Julie Stock, BA, IBCLC.
More info at other sites:
Recurrent Mastitis or Plugged Ducts
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