What are the symptoms of milk knots?

Milk knots are a problem that many women face after childbirth. In fact, if they are not effectively solved, they can cause mastitis or other adverse effects. Milk knots usually cause milk to be unable to flow out and form lumps.

1. Causes of symptoms

After giving birth, if the baby was not allowed to suck in time when the breasts started to swell, the milk could not flow out when the breasts swelled again. The reasons are: the suppression of the human pituitary gland will lead to a decrease in milk secretion; mastitis caused by breast engorgement leads to a decrease in milk supply; furthermore, the number of working mothers increases, and they go out early and come back late every day, so the babies do not suck enough, resulting in the mammary glands being unable to secrete milk normally; some mothers have short and sunken nipples, and because of nipple injuries caused by breastfeeding, they have to reduce the number of times the baby sucks, resulting in a decrease in milk supply and insufficient milk supply, which is called milk knots.

2. Mitigation Methods

1. Apply. Heat will increase blood circulation to the painful area, which will speed up healing. Wring out the hot towel and apply it on the RF, making sure it forms a circle with the RT exposed in the middle. Apply it for a few minutes. When the temperature of the towel drops, soak it in hot water again and wring it out. Repeat this process for about 5 minutes.

※Zhuang Mama’s Notes: Be careful not to use too high a temperature to avoid burning your skin. The towel got cold so quickly. I was lazy and used hot compresses such as baby bottles, hot water bottles, and hot showers. The effect is also good.

2. Knead. Gentle massage can also help. The method is as follows: start from the back of the painful point, support the affected breast with the left hand, and then use the four fingers of the right hand (from the index finger to the little finger) to push, knead and press to clear the lumps and lumps in the affected breast. Then use the five fingertips of your right hand to gently rub and grab along the radial direction of the milk ducts from the base of the nipple to the areola to clear the milk stasis. Finally, pinch the areola and nipple of the affected side with the index finger and middle finger of your right hand, and gently lift them outwards continuously, and the congested milk will spray out.

※Zhuang Mama's Notes: The massage method must be correct and the strength must be in place. Don't be afraid of pain. If it doesn't hurt, it won't be effective. If you can't do it yourself, you can ask your husband or his family to help!

3. Comb. 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.