RELIEVE MATERNAL ANXIETY ABOUT POSTPARTUM MILK DUCT OBSTRUCTION

28/12/2021

Milk duct obstruction is a condition in which the amount of milk is retained inside the milk ducts in the breasts, causing difficult to breastfeed. Without timely treatment, milk duct obstruction can lead to more serious health problems such as mastitis, breast abscesses. Thus, let’s learn about milk duct obstruction with AIH to know how to treat as well as when to visit a doctor!

► COMMON SYMPTOMS:

Swollen mammary gland tissue region.
When touching on the breasts, the mother may feel the presence of one or multiple hard lumps, specific borderline.
The breast is tensive and gradually increased with pain
Pain at the site of hard lump especially when breastfeeding given.
The amount of squeezed milk is very small or impossible to squeeze even though manual expression is proactively carried out by the mother.
Clots or strings may be seen in the squeeze milk.
Presence of perimammary small papules.
In some cases, the mother may have mild fever, lesser 38,5 Celsius degrees, fatigue.
It is possible to find axillary lymph nodes in the breast with milk duct obstruction

► CAUSES:

Baby sucks the nipple improperly, unilateral sucking only.
Mother falls asleep, does not breastfeed regularly or does not express milk timely.
Mother does not express milk completely, prolonged residual milk will cause clogged milk duct.
Wearing bra too tight.
History of lactation mastitis
Nipple fissure.
Expressing milk or rubbing breast too roughly causing compression on milk duct system - Insufficient nutrition.
Smoking cigarettes.
Insomnia, stress and fatigue.

► TREATMENT:

Massage: Start massage from outside of the breasts and apply pressure with your fingers when moving towards the nipples.
Continue breastfeeding: breastfeeding should start with the clogged breast side and try changing posture while breastfeeding.
Hot compress: You can apply hot compress at the clogged breast with a compress bag. When applying compress, massage and breast pump are combined to unclog the milk obstruction area faster and more efficiently.

If you have followed the above instructions, but the milk obstruction does not improve, you need to immediately go to a medical facility for proper examination, advice and treatment, including breast physiotherapy in order to avoid serious complications.

At the American International Hospital (AIH), doctors and nutritionists will monitor and advise specific cases so that pregnant women have the most reasonable care plan for the health of mother and baby. AIH is the first hospital in Vietnam to adopt the American standard delivery room model - LDRP, allowing women and family members feel comfortable and convenient during giving birth in a single room for all 4 stages: labor-delivery (vaginal delivery) – recovery - postpartum care.

In particular, the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at AIH is equipped with modern standards, together with a team of leading specialists including doctors, neonatal nurses, physiotherapists, pediatric nutritionists, timely support for births, ensuring safety and the best care for babies since they are born.

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For checkup and consultation at AIH:

☎️ Hotline: (028) 3910 9999

🌏 Website: www.aih.com.vn

📍 Address: (Entrance from 199 Nguyen Hoang Street) No.6, Bac Nam 3 Street, An Phu Ward, Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City.