08.06.2012, 10:19

Hello. On May 28, I stopped breastfeeding my baby (I breastfed 1.2). She stopped breastfeeding smoothly, removed 6 feedings in a month (4 daytime and 2 nighttime). The last time my daughter suckled her left breast was May 27, and her right breast was May 28. After that, I reduced the volume of fluid and did not give my daughter a breast. She did not bandage, did not express herself, did not take any medications, herbs. The chest was soft, painless, did not fill the first week. Well, the day before yesterday (6.06, i.e. on the 9th day of the cessation of breastfeeding) I began to feel pain in my left chest and a slight pain in my right. Every day the pain gets worse. It hurts just to touch the chest. There is no temperature, the state of health is generally normal, there is no redness on the chest, well, this pain just becomes unbearable. Tell me, can this be the beginning of mastitis or something else serious? Or is it that the milk burns out so painfully?

08.06.2012, 10:47

painful seals (milk lobules) in the chest are palpable?
did your temperature rise?

08.06.2012, 11:01

Thanks for the quick answer. There was no temperature and no, the chest becomes just a painful stone, from which side you don’t touch (I’m not even talking about some kind of pressure) - it hurts a lot. I talked to my gynecologist over the phone, she replied, “What do you want, lactation doesn’t stop so quickly, they say, be patient.” after a couple of days. I'm scared.

08.06.2012, 11:25

this is lactostasis
there is a high risk that it will turn into mastitis and require surgical radial breast incisions and drainage
you need
1) pain reliever
2) after taking an anesthetic - decant. You can't do it yourself. Call your husband, relative, lie down on your side, smear his hands and your chest with oil or a fat cream, and he expresses you. First you need to stretch the chest, then with squeezing (not twisting only, of course) movements from the periphery to the nipple. The elbow of the right hand rests on your shoulder blades (holds so that they do not slip back) with the left hand - slides, expresses. Then we change the position of the mirror. It is not necessary to empty the chest, it is only necessary to remove the stony density. Painkillers will only dull the pain, but not completely, so this is not a pleasant activity.
3) after expressing, you need to take dostinex or bromocriptine tablets according to the scheme
4) if in the next day or two the chest regains a stony density, it will again need to be expressed, perhaps even 2-3 times a day, depending on how quickly it fills up
5) you may need an antibiotic. In absentia I will not tell.

This is an example course of action. It will be better if you find a doctor who will examine you and advise you internally.

08.06.2012, 11:31

I edited (added) my message, re-read

08.06.2012, 11:34

Thank you. She ran to the hospital.

08.06.2012, 11:37

Thank you. She ran to the hospital.

Good.
... I managed to cure much more severe lactostasis, with a fever of up to 40 and wild pains, without surgeons. He used dexalgin, antibiotics, dostinex and pumped himself. Instead of milk, thick pus oozed from the chest. Therefore, do not be afraid in advance if you start treatment in a timely and competent manner - the chance of purulent mastitis and incisions is very small.

Report results, pls

08.06.2012, 15:08

Hello, Sergey Alexandrovich. Only from inspection. The obstetrician-gynecologist briefly examined the chest, asked about the temperature and recommended making camphor oil compresses and smearing with Traumeel at night. Do not express, do not strain, this they say will provoke a rush of milk. To all of mine - "it hurts", "seals" the answer is one - it will resolve. Now, if it happens, the temperature is about 38, then you will come, but now it’s too early to talk about anything. In general, the complete opposite of your recommendations, and from this I am in complete despair, because I don’t really know what is happening to me and what decision I should make.
From the chest I noticed a drop of a transparent liquid, salty in taste. I can’t imagine what it is, but probably this should not be obvious.

08.06.2012, 22:03

What can I tell you? I can no longer be surprised and upset at such situations - they are too regular. And to swear - the forum filter does not allow.
We read about the differences between the recommendations of RMS consultants and Russian doctors here: [Only registered and activated users can see links]

The obstetrician-gynecologist briefly examined the chest, asked about the temperature and recommended making camphor oil compresses and smearing with Traumeel at night.
Camphor oil has a "warming" effect, which can be harmful with mastitis (for now, take my word for it, we'll return to warming up a little lower). Traumeel is a homeopathic slurry, a dummy by definition (like everything else, under the brand name "homeopathy").

Do not express, do not strain, this they say will provoke a rush of milk.
of course, pumping enhances the separation of milk
but firstly, only complete pumping is a strong stimulant (the physiological equivalent is a child sucking everything to the drop and sucking on an empty breast, which means it’s not enough, then you need to work out more), and secondly, refusal to pump when the breast is sharply swollen leads to stagnation milk, compression of blood vessels, edema, which creates all the prerequisites for the formation of an abscess in the chest. There are also third and fourth, and so on, but sapienti sat, in the end.

I do not exclude the possibility that after such a "treatment" you will recover, but this will happen not thanks to, but in spite of the treatment, simply because the body often tends to recover on its own.

Get together and let's try to figure it out together.

First, let's understand the terminology. What you are currently suffering from is called late lactostasis, which, if left untreated, gradually evolves into mastitis, and with further inactivity, it will quite logically end with purulent mastitis, or, more correctly, an abscess of the mammary gland.

And read in black and white:
BREAST PAIN - Breast pain is a common manifestation of the following conditions during lactation:

Engorgement
sore nipples
plugged ducts
Mastitis
breast abscess

Pain in the breast
Pain in the mammary gland is a common symptom, and accompanies the following pathological conditions during lactation:

Milk stasis (Latin for "lactostasis")
sore nipples
blockage of the milk ducts
Mastitis
breast abscess

So far, lactostasis is most suitable for us from the list, we read more about it a little lower:

Engorgement - Engorgement refers to swelling of the breast and is due to ineffective or infrequent removal of milk from the breast. It can be quite painful for some women, whose breasts become hard and warm to the touch.

Engorgement can occur early or late in the postpartum period.

Early engorgement typically occurs with the onset of copious milk production (ie, lactogenesis stage II) usually between 24 and 72 hours postpartum. It is secondary to edema, tissue swelling, and accumulated milk. Early engorgement resolves spontaneously in the majority of cases but may be persistent and more severe if the infant does not latch on well and nurse frequently and efficiently. During engorgement, latch-on may be more difficult because of breast tissue swelling and reduced protractility of the nipple.
Late engorgement is usually due only to milk stasis. It may be generalized or limited to a single lobe of the breast. Late engorgement can result from missed feedings or failure to empty the breast thoroughly.
Management - Frequent emptying of the breast is critical to both prevent and treat engorgement. The initial step is to ensure that the infant can achieve a satisfactory latch-on. This may require softening the areola by hand expression of milk. Thereafter, frequent and thorough breastfeeding is mandatory.

Many interventions have been used for symptomatic pain relief. It remains unknown if one is more effective compared to others. They include the following:

Cool compresses or ice packs.
breast massage.
Ejection of milk between feedings. One intervention is a warm shower taken several times a day that allows the spray to fall on the breasts promoting milk release.
Mild analgesics, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, may provide effective pain management. These are considered safe in breastfeeding women by the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Drugs.

In blue - my remarks for translation:

milk stasis
Lactostasis is pathological condition, manifested by swelling of the mammary gland, and caused by ineffective or too rare removal of milk from the breast. (note - it arose due to the fact that milk was not excreted from the breast, and the way to treat it lies on the surface and is quite obvious - to restore the normal outflow of milk - approx. transl.) This condition is accompanied by severe pain, the mammary glands become dense and hot to the touch.

Lactostasis is most common in either early or late postpartum period(either when lactation is established or when it is canceled - approx. translation)

*****
Late lactostasis can affect both the entire gland and only one lobe of the gland and occurs as a result of skipping one or more feedings or interrupting breastfeeding.

Treatment - Regular emptying of the breast is crucial for both prevention and treatment of lactostasis. (in black and white. This is the basis of treatment. Everything else is auxiliary methods aimed at alleviating the patient's condition, approx. translation)
*****

Interventions that may be used to relieve symptoms include the following:
* Cool compresses or ice packs. (cooling, not at all warming up with camphor oil or compresses! approx. translation)
* Breast massage [ 1 ].
* Expressing milk between feedings. (meaning that the woman continues to feed. In our situation, it is necessary to pump, but not often and not to the end, balancing between "do not bring stagnation to suppuration" and "do not devastate to the degree of pronounced stimulation of lactation" - approx. translation) Warm shower on the area of ​​​​the mammary glands, (that is, not hot, but not cold or icy - approx. translation) taken several times a day, facilitates the separation of milk from swollen glands
* Mild pain medications such as paracetamol or inurofen can greatly relieve pain. They are considered safe in breastfeeding women and approved for use by the American Academy of Pediatrics
Does the tactics of treatment begin to fit in your head a little? Do you know where my recommendations come from?
Move on.
Download this book: [Only registered and activated users can see links]
we open it on page 21, and carefully study the chapter on the treatment of mastitis.
The first thing that catches your eye is the concept of treatment:

The main principles of mastitis treatment are:
- Supportive counseling
- Efficient milk output
- Antibacterial treatment
- Symptomatic treatment

The tactics of lactostasis differs from the tactics of maintaining mastitis only in that antibiotics are not needed yet.

When you finish reading the treatment, scroll down to page 32, appendix 2
Study the materiel and start pumping.

PS if you are interested in the whole article, excerpts from which I translated - I attach it in an attached file

09.06.2012, 09:59

Sergey Alexandrovich, thank you very much for finding the strength at 12 at night to argue your recommendations so seriously. After re-reading your message, though only in the morning, I realized that I simply couldn’t act differently, I drank Panadol and after 20 minutes, having previously massaged my breasts, I went to the bathroom to express. It was painful. It didn't work out very well at first. But the fear that there may be (or may already be) pus in the chest helped not to stop, but to continue. In general, having suffered pretty much, it seems that something happened, at least the chest is no longer a stone, but softer to the touch, but it still hurts. I must admit that last night I did smear myself with camphor oil once, which I promise I won’t do again.
The next step is to drink 0.5 tablets of Dostinex, which, honestly, I can’t decide on, but not because I think it’s the wrong move, but because I’m just afraid of the side effects that, as a rule, when taking medications, I always feel to a large extent. I have a one-year-old daughter with me, and right now I have no one to leave her for insurance if I feel unwell. Is this option possible if I take the pills on Monday (when my husband is at home), and before that I will make sure that my breasts do not fill up and squeeze a little when I feel the need for it. Or will all my suffering be in vain without taking Dostinex now?

09.06.2012, 10:20

Is this option possible if I take the pills on Monday (when my husband is at home), and before that I will make sure that my breasts do not fill up and squeeze a little when I feel the need for it. Or will all my suffering be in vain without taking Dostinex now?

Of course it is possible
and certainly not in vain :)
dostinex is only an auxiliary drug for a reliable and quick stop of lactation
but there are also natural mechanisms for inhibition of lactation
the breast works on the principle of feedback - the baby has sucked everything to the drop - it produces more than the previous feeding, and vice versa: Your overcrowded breast is a powerful factor inhibiting lactation in itself

Do not buy Dostinex yet, there is every chance that lactation and stasis will subside before Monday

09.06.2012, 10:27

pump only enough to take the rocky tightness and fullness out of your chest
but you need to understand that there are about 15 lobules in the chest, located radially, and you need to express each one, because the forgotten lobule just fester
decant the breast - and feel it all over, for a forgotten stony lobule
... now you may need 5-6 pumps per day
because it took too long
this will spur lactation a little, but there is no other way out
when life begins to improve (swelling and pain subside, stony density decreases) - you will pump less often

Write here about all the changes in your well-being, since we have online therapy with you

Symptoms of lactostasis in a nursing mother, treatment of pathology.

After the birth of a child, most young mothers face such a problem as lactostasis. And since this pathology greatly complicates the process of secreting milk through the milk ducts, in the end this leads to problems in the newborn.

But still, if you notice the appearance of a pathology in time and start treating it as quickly as possible, you can get rid of the disease quickly enough. How to do it right and our article will tell.

What is lactostasis, what does it look like, how long does it last: causes and symptoms

Symptoms of lactostasis

Lactostasis is a blockage of the milk ducts, as a result of which a kind of cork appears, interfering with the normal exit of milk formed in the mammary glands. Outwardly, such a pathology looks like ordinary tubercles, quite hard to the touch and quite painful. Most often, this disease develops in mothers who produce more milk than the child needs, as well as in those whose milk ducts are naturally very narrow.

Symptoms of lactostasis:

• Excessive swelling of the breast
• Pronounced seals
• Redness of the skin
• Increased body temperature
• Breast asymmetry may appear
• Sufficient pain syndrome

Causes of lactostasis:

• Squeezing of the milk ducts during feeding
• severe hypothermia
• Breast trauma
• Too tight bra
• Too frequent pumping
• Early refusal to feed the baby
• Wrong posture while sleeping

Is it possible to breastfeed with lactostasis: posture for feeding

Postures for feeding with lactostasis

Simple Tips

If you think that lactostasis is an indication to completely abandon breastfeeding, then you are deeply mistaken. In fact, it is the baby who can completely empty the breast, thereby relieving you of the stagnation of milk that has arisen. You just have to remember that in order for your problem not to interfere with the crumbs to eat right, you will need to carry out preliminary preparation for the feeding process.

To do this, you will first need to do a light warming chest massage with your hands. If you have a sufficiently strong pain syndrome, then the massage can be replaced with warming up under running warm water. After that, you will need to express a small amount of stagnant milk, and then proceed to standard feeding.

As for the position in which to feed the child, it will be better if the mother puts the baby on the bed, and she herself will, as it were, hang over him. If the child can already sit, then the mother can simply place him on her lap and feed in this position.

The difference between lactostasis and mastitis

A fairly large number of young mothers confuse lactostasis with mastitis and, for this reason, they carry out not quite the right treatment. Although in fact, if you take a closer look at the signs of both ailments, then even a person without a medical education can easily distinguish them.

Firstly, with mastitis, inflammation develops, which provokes uncontrolled growth of fibrous tissue and, as a result, it is not possible to remove breast swelling with an ordinary compress. In the event that a woman has developed lactostasis, then a cool compress and proper pumping will literally immediately bring noticeable relief. Secondly, you must remember that with mastitis, the axillary lymph nodes always increase.

In view of this, if your breasts are swollen, but at the same time, lymph nodes are not palpable at your fingertips, then you need to treat lactostasis. But perhaps the most pronounced symptom of mastitis is the inability to express milk. With lactostasis, this problem is not observed. As practice shows, even if the pathology is in an acute phase, a woman can quite simply express stagnant milk.

Laktostasis in a nursing mother, when feeding and pregnancy are stopped: treatment with folk remedies

Laktostasis: treatment with folk remedies

As you probably already understood, lactostasis refers to those diseases that are quite easy to treat. That is why, if you wish, you can try to cope with this problem. folk methods. The most popular home treatment for this pathology is an alcohol compress.

As a rule, it is applied twice a day, in the morning and in the evening, and a bandage soaked in alcohol is necessarily placed on the massaged chest. It is also believed that raw carrots have good anti-inflammatory and absorbable properties. If you apply it to the places of compaction, at least for an hour a day, then after 2-3 days you will notice that during feeding the breast is completely emptied.

Yes, and remember that carrots have the maximum effect on your chest, before applying the vegetable to reddened places, it will need to be rubbed on a fine grater and only then used for its intended purpose. For an even greater therapeutic effect, you can mix it with any animal's internal fat.

How to apply a cabbage leaf with lactostasis?

Cabbage leaf with lactostasis

If you want the cabbage leaf to really help you get rid of lactostasis, then keep in mind that in this case you need to do some kind of compress. That is why if you simply tear off a leaf from a cabbage head and apply it to a sore spot, then the effect will be minimal. In view of this, it will be better if you first lightly beat off the leaf (it should become wet to the touch) and only then apply it to the chest.

Yes, and remember that you only need to use a warm sheet for such a compress. If you try to apply a very cold product, this will cause vasospasm and, as a result, the condition will worsen even more. That is why, before you start to beat off the sheet, be sure to pour boiling water over it.

Honey cake for lactostasis: recipe

Honey cake with lactostasis

Remember, in order for this folk remedy to have the desired therapeutic effect, it must be used exclusively for its manufacture. natural honey. If you make a cake using a low-quality product, then with a high probability we can say that your problem will progress even more and, as a result, you will have to resort to more complex treatment.

So:

• To start, take rye flour and lightly heat it in a dry frying pan.
• When it becomes warm, add honey (preferably May) to it, and knead a tight dough.
• Form a cake out of it and attach it to the pre-massaged breast
• Leave it there for 25 minutes, and then gently remove and rinse the skin with room temperature water.

Breast massage with lactostasis

Breast massage with lactostasis

Most young mothers, when they massage themselves with lactostasis, make one mistake. They believe that if they knead their chest as intensively as possible, this will contribute to a faster resolution of the problem. In fact, if you do a massage roughly enough, then at least it will increase the pain syndrome, and at the maximum it will only increase the inflammatory process in the tissues.

That is why it will be better if you try to make the massage as easy as possible. This means that it should be done with light, rubbing and stroking movements that will help the chest muscles to relax well.

So:

• To begin, gently rub the entire chest
• As soon as the skin becomes warm and slightly red, proceed to the second stage.
• Find the places of seals and exert a mechanical effect on them
• It is necessary to rub the seals for 1-2 minutes
• After the breasts relax, express some of the milk and proceed to standard feeding.

Proper decanting with lactostasis: instructions

Proper decanting with lactostasis

• At the initial stage, do a light breast massage
• Next, place one hand under the chest, and with two fingers of the other hand, grasp the halo
• Gently press to stimulate the nipple area
• Move your fingers a little further behind the nipple and work on that area of ​​the breast
• If you are doing everything right, then at this stage the first droplets of milk will begin to stand out from the nipple.
• Continue to apply light pressure along the edge of the halo, periodically alternating with stroking the entire chest.
• Approximately 2-3 minutes after the start of these manipulations, whole streams of milk should be sprayed from the nipple

Camphor oil for lactostasis: recipe

Camphor oil for lactostasis

Camphor oil can be called a universal remedy for combating lactostasis. The substances that are in its composition are able to simultaneously remove all the symptoms of this pathology. With the help of this product, you will remove puffiness, reduce pain, promote relaxation of gland tissues and, of course, quickly remove seals.

Recipe:

• First, warm the camphor oil to room temperature.
• Soak a piece of gauze or cotton cloth in it.
• Apply an oil compress to the stagnation site
• Cover it with cling film and forget about it for 2-4 hours
• After this time, remove the compress from the chest and rinse it under a warm shower.

Iodine mesh for lactostasis: how to do it right?

Iodine mesh for lactostasis

I would immediately like to say that, although the iodine mesh is considered to be a fairly effective means of combating lactostasis, it must be used very carefully. It should be applied only if you have a normal temperature for more than a day.

If you use this method of treatment during a period when the body temperature is higher than necessary, this can lead to an even greater exacerbation of the disease.

• Prepare a 5% iodine solution and an ordinary cotton swab
• Take your chest in your hand and try to locate the lumps
• Soak the stick in iodine and begin to draw horizontal lines on the skin at a distance of 1 cm from each other
• Draw vertical lines at the same distance
• As a result, you should get perfect squares on your skin.
• You can apply a re-mesh on the skin only after this one becomes completely invisible.

Magnesia compress for lactostasis

In case you don't have time to prepare some home remedies, you can always try to deal with this problem with the help of magnesia. All you have to do in this case is just merge required amount medicinal substance in a container, moisten cotton wool or gauze in it and apply them to the place of stagnation.

If you use magnesia in the form of a dry powder, then first you will need to dilute it with water and only then soak the fabric in it. It is necessary to leave such a compress on the chest for at least half an hour, and it is advisable to do it immediately after feeding your child.

Ointment Traumeel, Vishnevsky, arnica, Malavit, Troxevasin, heparin for lactostasis: instructions

Ointments for lactostasis

Perhaps ointments can be attributed to the most effective means fight against lactostasis. As practice shows, it is they who help to get rid of this problem in the shortest possible time. But still, if you want to forget about your problem as quickly as possible, then use them in combination with other therapeutic measures. Be sure to massage your breasts and pump at the initial stage. How to do all this correctly, we told you a little higher.

Instructions for the use of ointments:

• To start, warm up the chest with a stroking massage.
• Squeeze the ointment from the tube and apply evenly on the skin
• During the distribution of the ointment, try to do an additional massage of the places of milk stagnation.
• Wait until the ointment is absorbed and calmly go to do household chores.
• Before feeding, be sure to remove the remnants of the ointment with warm water.

Amoxiclav, Oxytocin, Dostinex, Paracetamol, Lecithin, No-shpa for lactostasis: instruction

Tablets for lactostasis

Probably, it’s not even worth mentioning that taking pills during breastfeeding can directly affect the newborn. That is why such funds should never be prescribed to yourself on your own. It will be better if you find the time, go to the doctor's office, and he will already select the correct dosage for you.

• Never try to underestimate or envy the dose during a single dose
• Take the tablets with pure water only.
• Use only non-steroidal pain relievers
• Take tablets only after eating

Homeopathy for lactostasis

If you have encountered homeopathic remedies at least once in your life, then you probably know that in order for them to begin to have at least some minimal therapeutic effect, you need to take them for at least a week. In view of this, you definitely cannot get rid of lactostasis when it is in the acute phase with such drugs. As practice shows, such drugs are best taken as a preventive measure, solely so that a woman does not have problems with feeding again.

Physiotherapy, ultrasound, magnet for lactostasis

If within 7 days after the appearance of the first symptoms of lactostasis, the condition of the young mother does not improve, she is prescribed physiotherapeutic procedures. Whether it will be ultrasound or a magnet, only a specialist decides. As a rule, in this case it all depends on how quickly the pathology progresses and how much damage it has already caused to the milk ducts.

As practice shows, after the 4th session, the puffiness disappears in the sick women and the pain syndrome decreases, and by about the 8th session the problem disappears completely. True, you must remember that such treatment has its own nuances. Most often in this case, a woman has to drink a little more liquid than before. This contributes to the fact that the milk becomes less fat and viscous, and it is easier to pass through the milk ducts.

How long does the temperature last with lactostasis?

In principle, the temperature during lactostasis lasts no more than 3 days. If a woman discovered the problem in time and began to take measures as quickly as possible, then the temperature indicators can return to normal even within one day.

In view of this, if you see that, it would seem, with proper treatment, the temperature does not drop to normal, then immediately see a doctor. It is likely that you are doing something wrong, thereby contributing to the fact that the stagnation only intensified.

Consequences of lactostasis

Consequences of lactostasis

Although lactostasis is a fairly harmless disease, it should be treated as seriously as possible. Since this problem can cause the cessation of lactation, it is not worth delaying with its therapeutic measures.

In addition, this condition is dangerous because, without proper treatment, it will quickly affect large areas of the mammary glands and after some time the entire inner part of the breast will become inflamed in women. If she does not take the necessary measures even at this stage, then a chronic inflammatory process can cause the development of mastopathy or even malignant and benign tumors.

Prevention of lactostasis during breastfeeding

• Breastfeed your baby at least 7 times a day
• Make sure your breasts are completely emptied while breastfeeding.
• If required, pump after feeding
• Change positions regularly while feeding
• Don't pump very often (the body will begin to perceive this as a signal to produce milk)
• Drink plenty of fluids
• Be sure to practice decanting (especially if this is your first child)

Video: Breastfeeding and lactostasis: what to do? Tips for parents

Weaning a baby from the breast is an important moment for the baby and the mother. Sometimes this happens naturally as the child grows up and eats solid foods. In some cases, the decision is made by the mother. There are situations when lactation is not possible due to illness or forced separation. After a woman stops breastfeeding, milk is released for several more months. Stagnation of milk often leads to mastitis, mastopathy and other unpleasant conditions. Therefore, it is necessary to know how to speed up the process of stopping milk production and how safe it is.

It happens that the child is not yet a year old, but the mother has to go to work. If a woman is going to give her child to a kindergarten or a nanny, then she has to transfer him to bottle feeding at least 1-1.5 months before. Usually, children quickly switch to a new way of eating if formula milk suits them and does not cause allergies. For some time, the father or grandmother has to feed the baby from the bottle until he weaned from his mother's breast. Sooner or later, the process is successfully completed, there is such a need to stop lactation.

The cessation of lactation can occur as naturally, as well as using various ways effects on the mammary glands.

Stop lactation naturally

The body of a woman is designed in such a way that the production of milk during the feeding period directly depends on the mode of attachment of the baby to the breast and the intensity of sucking. After the cessation of regular feeding, milk production gradually decreases, the breast ceases to swell. For some time, when pressed, milk appears, then completely disappears. At this time, the main thing is to observe the rules of personal hygiene, so as not to bring the infection into the mammary gland.

During the period of feeding, doctors recommended that the woman achieve complete emptying of the breast to stimulate milk production. It was required to give the child to suck out completely the milk from one breast, and then apply it to the other, express the remaining milk.

To complete lactation, it is necessary to express milk only until relief is felt in the chest. In the milky lobes, with incomplete emptying of the breast from milk, an enzyme is produced that reduces the rate of its formation. Milk can be expressed manually or with a breast pump.

If a woman feels that seals appear in her breasts, then she must carefully, effortlessly express milk completely in order to prevent the inflammatory process. In order for the lumps to dissolve faster, you can apply cold (from the freezer) cabbage leaves to your chest.

A warning: Warm compresses should not be used if seals have formed in the chest during the period of stopping lactation. This can cause a purulent inflammatory process in the milk ducts (mastitis).

If the lumps do not go away, the chest (one or both) turns red, the woman has a fever, the touch causes pain, then you need to urgently see a doctor, since, most likely, mastitis has formed. In this case, antibiotics are prescribed. If the condition worsens, surgical removal of pus is performed.

Ways to artificially stop milk production

A young mother after weaning a child receives a lot of advice from more experienced women how to stop lactation faster. How effective and safe are the proposed methods and should they be trusted:

1. Drink less liquid. Reducing fluid intake has little effect on milk production. This will only lead to the fact that the bladder will fill up less often. In addition, this can lead to inflammation of the kidneys.
2. Bandage the chest tightly. This should also not be done, since milk stagnation can lead to inflammation in the mammary glands, the formation of lactostasis (milk stagnation) and mastitis. Instead, you can wear a tight bra day and night.
3. Apply ice to the chest. This really helps, as it slows down the process of blood supply to the mammary gland, the supply of substances necessary for the formation of milk. However, you should be extremely careful using this method, since severe hypothermia often leads to inflammation.

Video: How not to stop lactation

Folk remedies to stop lactation

Many women prefer folk remedies stopping lactation. In folk medicine, sage and peppermint are used for this.

Using sage to stop lactation

This plant contains phytoestrogens, substances whose action in the body is similar to the action of estrogens (sex hormones produced by the ovaries). The functioning of the mammary glands is determined by the ratio of the sex hormones estrogen and prolactin (the hormone responsible for lactation). When using sage, there is a decrease in the level of prolactin due to estrogen, which causes a decrease in lactation. Sage is used in the form of a decoction, which is drunk several times a day.

Decoction of sage

For 2 cups of boiling water, take 1 teaspoon of dry grass. After cooling, drink the decoction for 6 times. This tool is safer than medications to stop lactation, but it has contraindications. It should not be used for allergies to the plant, as well as for diseases of the stomach, kidneys, and nervous disorders. It will take about 4 days to stop lactation with sage.

You can use sage oil (add 5 drops to a small amount of water and drink several times a day). It is useful to lubricate the mammary glands from the outside with this oil in order to relieve inflammation, prevent lactostasis and mastitis.

Using peppermint to stop lactation

This herb contains menthol, which inhibits the production of milk. On the other hand, it contains essential oils, dilating blood vessels, accelerating blood flow, which, on the contrary, can stimulate milk production. Different varieties of mint differ in menthol content. Peppermint is used to stop lactation. It is taken in small quantities. Often this plant is brewed with sage.

Peppermint infusion

Dry peppermint (2 tablespoons) is poured with warm water (2 cups). Insist 1.5 hours, filter. Drink 2 tablespoons 3-4 times a day. Peppermint infusions should not be taken with cardiac arrhythmia, as well as with hypotension, since mint contains substances that greatly lower blood pressure.

The use of cabbage leaves

Cabbage leaves are used to eliminate inflammation, as well as a means of reducing milk production.

You can stop lactation both with the help of the upper, dark green, cabbage leaves, and using the inner leaves. A juicy leaf is taken, crushed with a rolling pin to squeeze out the juice. In this form, it is applied to the chest, a bra is put on top, the sheet is held on the chest until it fades completely. The amount of milk produced decreases, pain in the chest disappears.

Video: How to deal with lactostasis

Medicines to stop milk production

Medications are used only when absolutely necessary. Lactation is a process associated with hormonal balance in a woman's body. Any shift that disrupts the natural balance of hormones can lead to unpredictable consequences. First of all, the consequences of the intervention are tumor diseases of the mammary gland and a disorder in the functioning of the reproductive system.

Drink pills only after the complete cessation of breastfeeding. Medicines are used in the following cases:

• emergency termination of pregnancy in the last term;
• the birth of a dead child;
• purulent mastitis with the possibility of transition to mastopathy;
• severe illness in the mother that makes feeding impossible (AIDS, tuberculosis, cancer, heart failure);
• severe pathology in the newborn.

Majority medicines stops lactation cause nausea, dizziness, headache, fainting, increase blood pressure.

Most often, hormonal preparations based on estrogens are used, which suppress the action of prolactin, testosterone (a male sex hormone that reduces the action of female hormones), gestagens, which have the same effect as estrogens. In addition, drugs are used that act directly on the pituitary gland, where prolactin is produced. These drugs have a number of contraindications. They greatly increase blood pressure, act on the heart, stomach, liver and kidneys.

For healthy woman in the best possible way is a natural decrease and gradual cessation of milk production, which does not affect health and does not have complications.

Breastfeeding a newborn baby is one of the most impressive and happiest moments in life for every mother.

Unfortunately, such a happy time can somewhat overshadow lactostasis in a nursing mother. This is a condition that can be described as painful breast swelling and feeding difficulties.

Immediately after childbirth, the mother's neurohormonal system switches, in which the mammary gland is ready to start a new mode of operation for it.

The process of lactation itself is defined as a function consisting of three rather complex internal processes:

• From the secretion of mother's breast milk.
• From the accumulation of breast milk, directly in the mammary gland of a nursing mother (in a kind of physiological capacitive system of the mammary gland, which is a complex of milk ducts, lobules and sinuses designed to accumulate breast milk).
• And from periodic milk supply, which actually happens during a full-fledged process called breastfeeding of a newborn baby.

Usually, after childbirth, the formation of full lactation (in which it becomes possible to breastfeed a newborn baby) does not occur immediately, but gradually.

This process begins from the second or third day after a successful birth, and ends, approximately by the tenth day, the so-called postpartum period.

Naturally, the fourth and fifth days after childbirth can be considered critical in this sense, since it is at this time that milk arrives, which cannot always be removed through the still undeveloped nipple.

Actually, in this way, when establishing a full-fledged breastfeeding, milk stagnation or lactostasis occurs. But of course, lactostasis may well occur in other time periods when breastfeeding occurs. Lactostasis or stagnation of breast milk in a nursing mother can also occur:

• During periods of milk crises.
• With a sharp cessation of breastfeeding (with improper weaning of the baby from the breast).

Unfortunately, lactostasis, in addition to its unpleasant symptoms, also triggers other adverse processes, which ultimately can lead to the development of even more dangerous and painful lactational mastitis or hypogalactia.

These are conditions that may require the regulation of lactation, or even its suppression, and, accordingly, the complete cessation of breastfeeding.

And of course, these conditions always require that an urgent drug treatment nursing mother.

What is the clinical picture of the disease?

I must say that lactostasis can be divided into:

• Primary or it is also called "physiological". One that occurs during the formation or formation of lactation.
• And, accordingly, secondary, pathological (and even inflammatory).

Naturally, the symptoms of these conditions in lactostasis will differ, first of all, in the degree of their intensity.

Primary lactostasis, which occurs in a nursing mother, implies a condition that is easily amenable to correct corrective therapy (it can really be easily cured).

At the same time, in some cases, the symptoms of lactostasis can be expressed significantly, and even dominate in clinical manifestation illness.

And in other cases, lactostasis may be subtle, and be purely local in nature.

In all cases, without exception, lactostasis that occurs in a nursing mother contributes to some increase and rapid spread of infection, which means that this problem it is necessary to treat as soon as possible and do this, preferably after consulting a doctor.

The main signs of the development of lactostasis (milk stagnation) in a nursing mother are as follows:

• Pain and feeling of fullness in the mammary gland after childbirth, during the formation of lactation.
• Enlargement of the mammary gland in size.
• Swelling of the mammary gland.
• The presence in the mammary gland of obvious seals, indicating the stagnation of milk.

Naturally, all of the above signs of lactostasis may differ in their intensity. By the way, the treatment of this problem will also depend on the intensity of the pain syndrome.

In addition, it cannot be said that inflammatory edema, as well as a narrowing of the lumen of the excretory milk ducts, can lead to an increase in the intensity of the symptoms accompanying lactostasis.

The problem is also aggravated by a decrease in the contractility of the so-called myoepithelial cells of the mammary gland itself.

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As a result, the stagnation of breast milk contributes to the development of nipple cracks, and further intensive (bacterial) contamination of the mother's breast milk.

How is breast milk stasis treated?

It is believed that the physiological variant of breast milk stagnation does not require drug treatment, however, it is necessary and possible to treat this problem.

Moreover, it must be done as soon as possible. Many here will ask themselves the question - drug treatment is not required, but what then should be done to get rid of the problem? The answer is extraordinarily simple. Feed the baby correctly and in large quantities, it is possible to express, and use physiotherapy.

It is important to understand that the most important thing in the first days after childbirth is to be able to establish breastfeeding with full outflow of breast milk.

It is very valuable to get all the necessary information about how to feed a newborn, so that he would properly latch on to the breast, how to choose a comfortable position for feeding, how to care for the mammary gland, and how to pump correctly if milk is still delayed.

To do this, you can even before giving birth to consult with specialists in breastfeeding that can prepare a woman for the postpartum period.

As a rule, specialists can show many photos of the best positions for feeding, as well as photos explaining how your baby should latch on.

But, how to behave if, despite the seemingly correct and well-established feeding, milk stagnation could not be avoided, to feed or not to feed the baby at the same time? After all, many inhabitants are frightened by the possible infection of the baby, with breast diseases in the mother.

Here, we must note a very important point - it is possible to feed a newborn with primary stagnation of breast milk, but with the development of purulent inflammation - it is absolutely impossible! But in order to distinguish these two conditions from each other, a doctor is needed, or rather, his consultation.

With the primary (physiological) stagnation of breast milk, doctors even insist that the woman continue feeding the newborn.

Moreover, after the diagnosis of lactostasis is confirmed by the doctor, it is recommended to breastfeed the baby even more often than usual. And after such frequent feedings, pumping can be used as an additional treatment.

Also, as a treatment for primary stagnation of breast milk, it is often recommended to use physiotherapeutic procedures, ultrasound massage, electrophoresis, UHF, etc. After that, again, it is recommended to breastfeed the baby often and fully express.

And in order to feed the baby was not so painful, doctors recommend resorting to thermal procedures (compresses, a warm shower) before feeding, and to independent gentle massaging of the mammary gland, directly during feeding.

Do you still think that it is completely impossible to cure your body?

How can they be identified?

• nervousness, sleep disturbance and appetite;
• allergies (watery eyes, rashes, runny nose);
• frequent headaches, constipation or diarrhea;
• frequent colds, sore throat, nasal congestion;
• pain in the joints and muscles;
• chronic fatigue (you get tired quickly, no matter what you do);
• dark circles, bags under the eyes.

When a mother stops putting her baby to the breast, milk does not stop producing immediately. Especially many problems arise if for some reason the feeding of the child is stopped abruptly. The chest is poured, it starts to hurt, seals and even an abscess may occur in it. This usually occurs 2-3 days after HB clotting, and is most often limited to tolerable pain, tingling, and mild inflammation. If the baby was applied actively, then problems can begin already on the first day. To prevent serious health consequences, during this period you need to be very careful about the condition of the breast.

What Not to Do

There are many different methods associated with the folding of GV. traditional medicine. Some of them really help. Some are useless. But there are also frankly harmful and even dangerous ones. Sometimes a recipe is passed down from generation to generation, but the reason for its use is lost. And they begin to use a seemingly good method in such a way that they get harm instead of good.

If more than six months have passed after childbirth, then it is practically useless to drink hormones to reduce lactation. The fact is that at this time the production of milk is regulated by the emptying of the breast: how much milk is gone, so much comes. And hormonal pills are harmful to the body, for example, Bromkriptin can lead to myocardial infarction. Dostinex also has unpleasant side effects. So do not experiment with hormonal drugs on your own, without a doctor's prescription.

Bromocriptine mesylate (Bromolactin, Krypton, Parlodel) is a drug that suppresses the production of prolactin. Not used in the US for lactation suppression due to the potential for dangerous side effects, including peripheral vasoconstriction, hypotension, myocardial infarction, convulsions, stroke, and death. About such "little things" as a headache, nausea and vomiting, in comparison with the above, you can not even mention it.

Cabergoline (Dostinex) is used to suppress lactation in Russia and a number of European countries. It is made on the basis of ergot extract. Side effects are common and unpleasant: headache, dizziness, fatigue, nosebleeds. In this state, it is extremely difficult to take care of the baby, so it is necessary to discuss with the doctor whether the use of the drug is necessary.

Often recommended by grandmothers and even some midwives, the method of bandaging the breast is useless and dangerous. Once upon a time in the villages, the breast was bandaged not to stop the flow of milk, but to show the baby that the breast had disappeared and there was nothing more to suck. Bandaging does not reduce the amount of incoming milk, but worsens the blood supply to the mammary glands, and increases the likelihood of pain and mastitis.

You don't need to warm your chest. An exception can be made only for a warm shower to relieve pumping and pain during them.

There is no need to starve and not drink. You need to eat as usual. Lactation is not caused by the amount of fluid you drink, but by prolactin, so fluid restriction is completely useless. Studies have shown that if a woman drinks more than 2.5 liters of water per day, this significantly reduces the likelihood of developing lactostasis. You just have to avoid hot drinks for a while, as they provoke milk rushes. Dietary restrictions also do not contribute to a decrease in the amount of milk; only complete exhaustion reduces lactation.

What do we have to do

Usually, discomfort after curtailing HB lasts no more than 2-3 weeks. If you turn off the feeding slowly and gradually, then there may not be any painful sensations at all. But if the pain is still there, then it cannot be ignored.

1. If for some reason the attachment of the baby to the breast stopped abruptly, then it is necessary to imitate the gradual folding of the breastfeeding as much as possible.
2. At all times, including at night, wear a comfortable, non-pressing but well-supporting bra.
3. To reduce pain, burning and swelling, apply cold compresses. You can use a piece of ice wrapped in a towel. It is not bad to attach cabbage leaves chilled in the freezer. You can pre-beat them with a hammer, roll them with a rolling pin or just crush them.
4. Because the baby won't eat anymore breast milk, i.e. mom is no longer nursing, then she can take painkillers: Paracetamol, Ibuprofen or any other.
5. If you still have milk, express regularly with your hands or with a breast pump. This should be done several times a day, gradually reducing the number of procedures. The chest does not need to be completely emptied, it is enough to express to a state of relief. In this case, lactation will be practically not stimulated, and the amount of milk will gradually decrease, and stagnation will not form in the breast. You don't have to be afraid of pumping. Only complete pumping has a strong lactagon effect.
6. You can drink herbal infusions. It is believed that sage, mint and parsley help stop lactation. Just do not forget that herbs only help the process. Sage is brewed at the rate of one tablespoon per glass of boiling water. With mint, you can not only drink tea, but also add it to salads and desserts.
7. Light sedatives, for example, Novopassit, motherwort or valerian, will not interfere either.
8. Temporarily exclude from the diet those foods that caused flushes of milk.
9. If redness appears on the chest, or the temperature rises, then immediately consult a doctor.

Why can the chest hurt at the end of breastfeeding

If the breast is a little stinging, but at the same time it is soft, without seals, then this means that there is a slight inflammation, but there is no lactostasis. Such inflammation is well treated with cold. You can attach a piece of ice wrapped in a clean towel or a frozen piece of meat (packed of course). The exposure to cold should last approximately 10-15 minutes.

If there are seals in the chest, then this is already lactostasis. Minor congestion can be cleared up fairly easily with pumping, massage, and cold compresses. In more severe cases, the entire chest becomes stony and sore, the temperature rises. Lactostasis can turn into mastitis. In the most difficult cases, a purulent abscess forms, and surgery may be necessary.

Sometimes pain occurs due to a sudden jump in the sensitivity of the nipples. It depends on the physiological characteristics women and not dangerous to health.

Milk secretion after curdling of breastfeeding

After the last feeding of the baby, milk can be formed in very small quantities in the breast for quite a long time, up to three years. It can occur after any pregnancy and after any period of breastfeeding. To maintain such a minimum lactation can various factors: tight bra, stimulation of the nipples during sex, taking certain medications. Sometimes women themselves provoke this process by constantly checking whether they still have milk.

Spontaneous secretion of milk from the nipples can last from 3 to 6 months. Usually provoked by hot drinks, baths, and sometimes just thinking about the baby.

The appearance of drops of milk when pressed, even after three years, is not always a symptom of hormonal disorders. But you still need to see a doctor. If the secretion of milk is accompanied by a violation of the menstrual cycle or infertility, then a visit to the doctor is required.

Laktostasis after curtailing breastfeeding

If breastfeeding stops abruptly, then milk in the breast does not cease to form. In the absence of an outflow, the milk stagnates, the chest becomes stone, it starts to hurt, tingling is felt. If you let this problem take its course, then it is quite possible to wait for mastitis and even an abscess. In this case, the problem can only be solved by surgery.

As soon as the chest began to ache, and even small seals formed in it, treatment should be started immediately. You need to take painkillers. Strain after a while. You can do this under a warm (not hot) shower. If it is difficult to express on your own, then you can ask for help. This is especially true if the entire chest is stone, and it hurts even to touch it. Painkillers will help, but the pain will most likely not be completely removed.

Pumping is carried out using a fatty cream or oil, which lubricates the woman's breasts and the massage therapist's hands. The breast is decanted with gentle movements from the base to the nipple. It is necessary to decant until the seals are completely eliminated. You need to carefully work out all the slices. If there is a seal in at least one, then against the background of a general relief of the condition, it is easy to bring the situation to purulent inflammation in this particular segment of the chest.

In some cases, you may need to drink Dostinex or Bromocriptine. But the decision on the need for medication must be made by the doctor. In addition to drugs that stop lactation, you may need to take antibiotics.

When to go to the doctor

If seals have formed in the chest, and they could not be dealt with immediately, then it is necessary to consult a doctor. If the chest turns red, and the woman has a fever, then a visit to the doctor must be made without delay.

After stopping breastfeeding, milk can be released for a long time, up to three years. But if the discharge suddenly becomes brown, with an admixture of blood, then it is imperative to consult a doctor and undergo an examination.

A meeting with a doctor is also necessary if, after 3 years from the moment of stopping breastfeeding, milk continues to be secreted, and this is accompanied by menstrual irregularities, infertility, and also if the color and nature of discharge from the chest suddenly change.

The least likely pain after cessation of breastfeeding, if the process was gradual. It is even better if self-weaning occurs, i.e. the child has just grown. But even if it is necessary to abruptly stop feeding, breastfeeding can be curtailed without serious health consequences, if everything is done correctly.