The difference between milk swelling and milk blockage

If a woman is breastfeeding after giving birth, she is prone to breast engorgement or milk blockage. There is a certain difference between breast engorgement and milk blockage. Generally, milk blockage can easily cause fever or breast pain in the mother, but breast engorgement will not cause this and can be relieved by hot compresses.

What is the difference between milk engorgement and milk blockage?

After giving birth, mothers breastfeed their babies. Breastfeeding occurs through the mother's breasts. There are many problems that may arise during breastfeeding. The baby doesn’t like to breastfeed, there is no breast milk, or the milk is swollen, etc. If there is milk but it cannot come out, it may be due to milk accumulation or milk blockage. What is the difference between milk accumulation and milk blockage?

The occurrence of milk accumulation may be due to a problem with one of the mammary glands in the breast. The milk cannot flow out of that mammary gland and accumulates there, forming a lump. It can be easily misdiagnosed as a breast tumor. Milk blockage means that the mammary duct is blocked, which prevents milk from coming out from deeper layers. In this case, large lumps will appear in the breast. There will be some swelling and pain.

If milk blockage or milk accumulation occurs, it is not good for both mother and baby. How to deal with it?

1. Apply hot compress. If there is milk accumulation but the breasts are not red, swollen or painful, you can apply hot compresses before breastfeeding to help the milk flow out. Hot compress is not recommended for blocked milk ducts, as it may aggravate edema.

2. Breastfeeding. In the case of milk accumulation, it will be easier for milk to flow out after hot compress and massage. At this time, letting the baby suck milk will help the mother's milk flow out. If the milk duct is blocked, it will be difficult for the baby to suck out the milk. The baby will keep sucking but no milk comes out. The baby will also have negative emotions towards the mother's breasts.

First of all, the mammary glands of milk lumps are unobstructed, and the milk is not discharged, so it accumulates in the breasts and forms lumps. It hurts when pressed, and milk blockage means that the mammary glands are blocked, and the milk is blocked in the deep layers, forming a deep lump. It manifests as a sudden large lump in the breast. The pain and swelling are not severe at first, and some mothers do not have a fever. In addition, hot compress on milk knots will enhance blood circulation in the painful area, thereby accelerating healing and helping to treat milk knots. Although hot compress can promote blood circulation, it will aggravate the edema, so it is not recommended. After the milk knot has been heat treated and massaged, immediately feeding the baby (it is best to let the baby suck more, the baby is the best breast pump) or using a breast pump to express milk will help relieve the blockage. It is not suitable to use a breast pump when the milk ducts are blocked because of obstruction. Strong suction can easily damage the mammary glands, and breastfeeding too frequently will make the baby lose interest and leave after a few bites.