How to solve lactation problems after childbirth?

How to proceed in the period of a food load?

An attack is a physiological period of lactation, in which the amount of food rapidly increases under the influence of prolactin. Its production is not stabilized, therefore the congestion of the breasts increases. The onset of this state is on the second-sixth day after delivery.

To do this, you need to:

• properly feed
• feed frequently (following the baby's hunger and breast filling)
• if the breasts are tight and even tender, cold compresses may be applied. Drinking sage infusion soothes the unpleasant sensations associated with the attack. Note – sage lowers lactation!
• If, despite feeding, the breast becomes significantly overfilled and the baby is well fed, you should loosen the breast by expressing a little milk. We never express it to the end, only until you feel relief (5-10 ml is enough)
• if the child cannot be with the mother during this time, the breasts must be emptied frequently, at least 8 times a day. If your breasts fill up more frequently, you should empty them more often.

How to deal with edema or stagnation of food?

Swelling and stagnation are the result of improper treatment of the attack. The breast is then swollen, hard, hot, red, shiny and painful. As long as the breast milk flows out, we are dealing with edema, if there is a problem with the outflow, we are talking about stagnation. The temperature may be elevated.

What to do?

• Check the feeding technique and, if necessary, correct it
• feed frequently, at least 8 times a day, for a sufficiently long time, also at night
• before giving the breast to the baby, soften the areola by expressing a small amount of food
• put the child in different positions, the "under the arm" position is recommended
• after the baby has emptied the breast, apply cold compresses to the entire breast in order to relieve the unpleasant tension
• if the baby cannot empty the breast (separated from the mother, suckling poorly, sick), the breast must be emptied

If the food stagnates, start the flow before feeding.

To do this, you need to:

• to relax despite the troubles
• before feeding, put a warm compress on the breast or take a warm bath
• Express a small amount of food to soften the areola
• while feeding, you can gently, steadily massage the breast towards the nipple

Remember!

Strong pressure, massaging, and mistreatment of the breasts cause damage to the tense milk alveoli, which usually results in breast inflammation and abscess.

• Start breastfeeding with stagnation and feed frequently, every 1.5-2 hours to avoid overfilling.
• If there are serious problems with milk flow, you should visit a lactation clinic

What is a milk duct clog?

Swelling or stagnation of food in one lobe of the mammary gland is caused by blockage in one of the milk or discharge ducts. In one place of the mammary gland there is a thickening, usually tender, less often painful. The skin over the affected area may be red. The whole process is slow, it may even go unnoticed until it becomes inflamed.

What to do?

• proceed in the same way as for edema
• it is recommended to gently massage the affected area towards the nipple during feeding, visit a lactation clinic between the waves of milk flow

How to deal with breast inflammation?

In inflammation, the breast is red, swollen, hot, and very painful. You can feel places clearly harder than the rest of the gland and very tender. In addition, malaise is added, and often the symptoms typical for the onset of flu: chills, a feeling of breakdown, bone pain, headache and increased body temperature (above 38.4 degrees C)

How to proceed?

• Improve your feeding technique to be sure that your feeding is working. It is worth using professional advice.
• Feed frequently, at least every 2 hours
• feed long enough
• change position during one feeding
• take care of a good milk flow
• in case of problems with outflow, a warm compress can be applied to the diseased part of the chest before feeding
• urgently heal damaged warts
• apply cold compresses after feeding
• If the baby is not suckling effectively, the breast must be emptied by pumping.

REMEMBER!!!

IF, WITH A SYSTEMATIC, CORRECT PROCEDURE, THE FEVER DOESN'T LOWER AFTER 24 HOURS, YOU SHOULD CONNECT TO THE LACTATION ADVISORY OR TO A GYNECOLOGIST!