Can I express my milk by hand if it is swollen during weaning?

All mothers will encounter the problem of milk engorgement when they are weaning their babies. Mothers should pay attention to their own milk weaning problem while weaning their babies to avoid breast diseases due to the continuous secretion of milk but not being discharged in time. During the weaning period, if the mother still has milk swelling and it is severe and painful, she will want to squeeze it out with her hands or use a breast pump to empty it, but she doesn’t know whether this is the right approach.

1. Can I squeeze out the milk when I am weaned?

Generally speaking, it is best not to squeeze the milk when weaning. Once you squeeze the baby, it will give the brain the wrong message and the breasts will automatically secrete milk, so all the previous efforts to wean will be wasted.

However, when the milk is swelling during weaning, you can still squeeze it out a little. After all, allowing the breasts to swell indefinitely is very risky. Once the milk ducts are blocked, it is very likely to cause mastitis. But it should be noted that you cannot squeeze it out and must be moderate.

2. Reasons for the increase in breast milk price after weaning

Experts analyzed that the main reason for breast engorgement after weaning is improper breastfeeding methods used by mothers, or mastitis caused after childbirth or weaning. Mastitis can cause poor milk flow, breast lumps, and even more serious suppuration.

If it is simply due to improper breastfeeding methods, then you only need to pay attention to the breastfeeding method. However, if it is caused by mastitis, you must prevent mastitis from becoming more severe!

3. Traditional Chinese medicine treatment for milk stoppage and milk swelling

1. Buy malt from the pharmacy and boil it in water. Boil 10 grams of malt each time and drink it in two bowls of water a day. In addition, add vitamin B6 tablets, three times a day, ten tablets each time. Eating it for a few days in a row can basically solve the pain of breast swelling caused by weaning.

2. Divide a pound of saltpeter into three times and make two bags. Place the bags with medicine on the nipples respectively. Use a longer bandage to wrap the bags to tighten the chest. Remember to make sure it is tight. It will be a little painful (this is very important). After the medicine is absorbed and hardened by the breast milk, change some more medicine. This method is very effective. Just use it overnight and the milk will stop coming out the next morning.

3. Using cabbage to apply to the breasts is a common folk method: wash a cabbage, peel off each leaf completely, and cover the entire breast with the leaves along the armpits and pectoralis major muscles. Apply slight pressure with a bra to make the cabbage leaves fully contact with the skin. Remove it after 24 hours. This method can effectively reduce breast swelling and prevent new mothers from suffering from mastitis due to improper care.

4. Diet therapy

Boil 250g of fermented black beans in water, then take a small bowl of it. If there is any left, use it to clean the breasts. It needs to be taken continuously. During the weaning period, the diet should be light and avoid greasy food. It is best not to drink too much milk-inducing soup. High-protein, high-fat, and high-sugar foods must be eaten in moderation to prevent excessive and thick milk secretion, which may cause lumps in the mammary glands and be difficult to discharge. Remember not to let your baby suck on your nipple or express your milk during this period.