Comb milk knot

Simply put, the milk clotting phenomenon means that the mother has milk, but the baby cannot suck it out. This not only makes the family feel sad that the baby has no milk to drink, but also makes us feel sad that the mother's breasts are always swollen. There are many ways to relieve milk knots. One of the commonly used methods is to comb them with a comb. This method is simple and easy to practice, and is highly praised by people. How to comb out milk knots?

While massaging and sucking milk, you can also use a wooden comb. A heated wooden comb is best. Comb from the armpits towards the nipples to unblock the tangled blood vessels. It is best to comb with the back of the comb. Remember not to use too much force. Comb in the direction of the mammary gland. Be sure to apply some moisturizer on the breasts before combing, otherwise the skin will easily become red, swollen and injured. There are other methods besides combing.

1. Cold and hot compress:

The purpose is to soften the breast and make the surface moist.

Hot compress before feeding: Use warm water. Too much heat can make the skin fragile, and subsequent massage can easily cause abrasions. Use a warm towel to wipe in a circular motion from the center of the nipple toward the areola, and apply hot compresses on both sides alternately for 15 minutes on each side. Applying hot compresses before feeding will help soften the lumps, making it easier for the baby to suck milk.

Use cold compress to relieve redness, swelling and heat: Wrap the breast with cold cabbage leaves and then wrap it with plastic wrap. Once the cabbage leaves become warm and moist, you can remove them and replace them with new ones. It is better to prepare a few more leaves to effectively relieve milk knots.

※Remember! When the breasts are hot, red and swollen, you cannot apply hot compresses!

2. Massage:

After applying hot or cold compress, massage techniques should be used immediately:

Step one: unclog the nipple first. Dip your thumb and index finger in water, pinch the nipple, and rub from the inside out. A small amount of milk will come out.

Step 2: Knead the breast lumps. Dip your hands in water, cover your breasts, and use your palms to gently rub clockwise or counterclockwise from the outside of the breast to the areola.

Step 3: Unclog the milk ducts. Wet five fingers and rub vigorously from the outside of the breast towards the areola. Be sure to massage along the position of the mammary ducts. At this time, you can see milk spurting out. Apply the spurting milk directly on the breasts and continue the operation.

In addition, the following methods are also available:

Circular massage: Place your hands on the upper and lower parts of the breasts and massage the entire breast in a circular direction.

Spiral massage: Hold the breast with one hand, and use the index and middle fingers of the other hand to massage in a spiral shape towards the nipple;

Acupressure massage: Place your hands on both sides of your breasts and squeeze from the breasts to the nipples.

※ Note: Using too much force may break the skin, so be sure to control the strength. In addition, remember to wet your hands when massaging. If you don’t have enough strength, you can try using the back of a comb or a scraping board. Wherever you press on a hard lump, scrape it away with force.

3. Lecithin

Phospholipids and proteins are the main components of cell membranes. Egg yolks are rich in lecithin, and so are milk, animal brain, bone marrow, heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, soybeans and yeast. Lecithin is mostly combined with protein in the body and exists in the form of fat protein (lipoprotein). Therefore, lecithin is abundant in nature, so it is recommended that people try to consume a sufficient variety of foods.

Lecithin can provide timely nutritional supplements to the brain nerves, which helps eliminate fatigue and relieve nervous tension. There is no age limit for lecithin supplementation, and it can be taken by everyone from children to the elderly. For fetuses and infants, it is essential for neurological development, so mothers can also supplement lecithin as needed.

4. Massage the shoulders and neck to relax:

If a new mother has stiff shoulders and neck, this method can also help improve the condition. You can also try asking your father to help with shoulder and neck massage. Massaging the shoulders and neck with a hot towel after the massage can also help and improve milk knots and breast blockage. This practice is very common in confinement centers in Japan!

5. Let your baby suck more milk:

After completing the above four steps, it is time to let the baby suck milk frequently. This step is to completely open the mammary ducts. It is best to let the baby suck. If not, use a breast pump (at this time, it is very important to have a breast pump with strong suction and that fits the hand). Of course, you can also ask your husband for help.

VI. Summary:

If milk knots are not taken care of properly, it is easy to get mastitis. But don’t worry, this is a very common condition during breastfeeding, and it will get better soon as you address it and provide timely care. Mothers can try the above recipe!