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Inadequate Milk Supply
The amount of milk produced is directly
related to how often and how long the baby is breast-fed. When an infant suckles at
the mother’s breast, milk is brought out from the nipples. This suction
signals the mother’s body to make more milk. Therefore, the less a mother
breast-feeds (or manually pumps milk from her breast), the less milk her body
produces. This supply/demand relationship is established so that the baby can be
weaned successfully. The most common way to increase milk supply is simply to
breast-feed more often (or pump the breasts manually).
Less commonly, an inadequate milk
supply may be due to other complications, such as a problem with the baby’s sucking
or a physical problem with the mother. Mothers who continue to have inadequate milk
supplies even if they have tried emptying their breasts often should consult a physician
or certified lactation consultant.
Blocked
Milk Duct
If the breasts are not emptied often,
the milk ducts may become blocked or plugged. A tender breast lump or spot may
occur when a milk duct becomes blocked. To treat a blocked milk duct, experts
recommend breast-feeding often and changing positions to help drain the milk from all
parts of the breast. Applying warm heat, massaging the breast before nursing to
increase the flow of milk, and getting plenty of rest are also helpful.
Blocked milk ducts can lead to breast
engorgement (swelling) and mastitis (infection). See below for an explanation of
these conditions.
Breast
Engorgement
Breast
engorgement (swelling) occurs when the breasts produce more milk than the amount that
is being expelled by breast-feeding, pumping, or manual (hand) expression. The milk
overflows from the glands and engorges the breasts. Breast engorgement is common
during the first two to five days after childbirth when breast-feeding begins but can also
develop any time the baby’s demand for breast milk decreases or stops or the mother
is unable to empty her breasts.
When breast engorgement occurs, the
entire breast, nipple, and areola (pigmented region surrounding the nipple) swell and
usually cause discomfort or pain. The baby may suck from the nipples but will not
receive much milk. However, the baby's sucking will cause the breasts to produce
more milk, further overfilling the milk glands and increasing engorgement.
Other symptoms of breast engorgement
include:
- Hard, warm, throbbing, or slightly lumps
breasts
- Flattened nipples (difficult for the
baby to latch on)
- A slight increase in body temperature
(around 100 degrees Fahrenheit or 37.78 degrees Celsius)
- Slightly swollen axillary (underarm)
lymph nodes
Severe breast engorgement should not
last more than 12 to 48 hours. The best way to prevent breast engorgement is to
breast-feeding, pump, or manually (hand) express milk often. The treatment of breast
engorgement usually focuses on relieving symptoms. Click
here to learn more about breast engorgement and other treatment suggestions.
Breast
Mastitis
Mastitis is
a benign (non-cancerous) infection that can usually be treated successfully with
antibiotics. Signs of mastitis include red, hot, painful, or inflamed breasts and
other flu-like symptoms such as headache, nausea, temperature (101 degrees Fahrenheit,
38.4 degrees Celsius or greater), or chills. Women with symptoms of mastitis should
see a physician. Breast-feeding with mastitis is generally not harmful to the baby
and may actually help speed up recovery.
Mastitis during breast-feeding can be
caused by:
- Breast
engorgement (swelling)
- Blocked milk duct/s
- Cracked or damaged skin or tissue around
the nipple
Approximately 10% of women with
mastitis develop pus-filled abscesses in the affected breast area. An abscess is
benign (non-cancerous) and will usually need to be drained with a needle by a physician.
A particularly large abscess may need to be cut open by a physician to drain.
Usually, the area is numbed with a local anesthesia and covered with gauze after the
procedure. Click here to learn more about breast mastitis
and other treatment suggestions.
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