Generally, the breast lumps are benign in nature and disappear on their own or require very little intervention. The lumps may be formed due to clogged ducts which if not taken care properly may lead to mastitis or breast abscess.
How Do You Get Rid Of Breast Lumps While Breastfeeding?
Depending upon the reason for breast lump, treatment is recommended. Many of the breast lumps go away on their own and some requires medical intervention to get rid of them:
Warming: The breast lumps should be applied with a warm and moist cloth, which helps in reducing the size of the lump as well as also helps in reducing the pain.
Massage: Massage should be provided to the breast which has the breast lumps. However, proper technique should be used while massaging to reduce further complications.
Changing Breastfeeding Position: If the woman is continuously breastfeeding the baby in a similar position, the ducts may get clogged. Thus, the breastfeeding should be provided by changing the position frequently.
Avoid Tight Fitting Clothes: The tight fitting clothes such as tight bra compress the breast and reduce the flow of the milk leading to clog and formation of breast lumps.
Use Breast Pump: If the milk produced is greater than the quantity required for the baby, the excess milk should be drained through the breast pump otherwise this may lead to clogging of the milk ducts.
Monitor Through Self-Examination: Any breast lumps should be carefully examined, and the size of the lump should be monitored. If the size of the lump increases or remains constant for a longer period, advice from medical professional should be taken.
Continue Breastfeed: It is been recommended that the breastfeed should be frequently given as this will help in reducing the pain and swelling.
Effective Latching: Sometimes the baby, during breastfeed, does not latch properly. This leads to improper drawing of the milk. Thus, the matching of the baby should be proper, and the baby should be allowed to suck the milk.
Epsom Salt: Use of warm Epson salt bath on the affected area may help in relieving the symptoms of clogged milk duct.
Medicines: Medicine such as antipyretics and anti-inflammatory can be administered to reduce the pain and inflammation.
Reasons For Breast Lumps
There are various reasons of breast lumps and fortunately most of the breast lumps are not cancerous. However, care should be taken if the lump does not go away either of its own or with minimal intervention. In such cases, the patient should seek advice from a medical professional.
Clogged Ducts: The milk ducts are clogged by the milk due to improper drainage of milk from the breasts. These are painful and go away on their own and do not require any treatment.
Breast Engorgements: It is a condition defined by the pressure due to the expansion of breast by synthesis and storage of milk. It goes away when the breastfeeding is done.
Mastitis: It is a type of breast infection and may be accompanied by fever. This can be treated with antibiotics. It is usually the condition after the clogged duct persists for longer period.
Breast Abscess: If the mastitis or clogged duct is not treated properly, the pus is formed resulting in breast abscess. The breast abscess is often painful, and the patient may experience rise in body temperature.
Benign Tumor: Sometimes the lump may be in the form of benign tumor, which includes cysts and fibroadenoma. The benign cyst does not interfere in the breastfeeding and fibroadenoma may be caused due to menstrual changes.
Breast Cancer: Breast lump may also be formed due to breast cancer. If the lump grows in size or remains constant in size for a considerable period of time, medical intervention is advised.
Conclusion
Various treatment methods are advised to get rid of breast lump depending upon the reason for formation of breast lump. These include massaging, breastfeeding, warming, proper latching, using breast pump and avoiding tight fitting clothes. If the lump is present for long period and growing, advice from medical professional should be taken.
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