What are the differences between milk knots and milk lumps?

After giving birth, women need to breastfeed their babies, and most women will encounter many problems when breastfeeding their babies. For example, some women have milk lumps, and some women have milk knots. Many people tend to confuse the two. In fact, although milk lumps and milk knots have similarities, there are differences between the two. It’s just that most people don’t know the difference. So what is the difference between milk knots and milk lumps?

How to distinguish between milk lumps and milk knots?

1. Differences in formation

Milk lumps: The mammary glands are unobstructed, but milk is not discharged and accumulates in the breasts, gradually forming lumps that will cause pain when pressed.

Milk blockage: The mammary glands are blocked, milk is blocked deep in the breast and gradually forms a lump. The symptoms are large hard lumps in the breast. The swelling and pain are mild at the beginning, and some mothers do not have a fever.

2. Differences in treatment methods

1. Hot compress

Milk knots: Using hot compresses can help to unblock milk knots, because hot compresses can soften the accumulated milk lumps and promote smooth blood circulation in the painful area, thereby quickly relieving pain and congestion.

Blocked milk duct: It is generally not recommended to use hot compress to treat blocked milk duct, because although hot compress can enhance blood circulation, it may aggravate the symptoms of edema.

2. Breastfeeding

Milk blockage: After hot compress and massage, you should let your baby suck milk immediately, and try to let the baby suck as much as possible. You can also use a breast pump to suck out the milk, which will help improve the blockage.

Milk blockage: Milk blockage can cause obstruction of the milk ducts. When the milk ducts are blocked, it is not advisable to use a breast pump to express milk, as this can easily cause damage to the breasts. Allowing the baby to suck milk frequently when the milk duct is blocked will only cause the baby to lose interest in sucking milk and leave after just a few sips. This will stimulate the milk flow but not suck it away immediately, which can easily increase the area of ​​milk accumulation.

3. Combing milk

Breast knots: Use a wooden comb to comb the breasts while sucking and massaging. It is best to use a heated wooden comb. Apply some moisturizer on the breasts before combing. Then comb from the armpits towards the nipples to unclog the knotted blood vessels.

Milk blockage: Using a wooden comb will not be able to drain milk at all because the comb only acts on the surface of the skin.

What to do if there are milk knots after weaning?

1. This is a very normal symptom during weaning. Recovery during weaning requires a process. It is normal to have breast pain. You can take appropriate drugs to inhibit milk secretion to relieve the pain. Don't be nervous, the swelling and pain will gradually subside in about a week.

2. The symptoms of milk knots are generally that the breasts feel hard and lumpy, and sometimes there are symptoms of milk engorgement. If you have this symptom, it means that there is too much milk accumulated in the breasts of the mother and it cannot be eliminated. Therefore, pregnant women can eat less high-protein and high-calcium foods, which can help inhibit the secretion of milk.