Associated symptoms

In addition to redness, hardening and painfulness, other symptoms may occur. At the breast, pressure pain and a feeling of tension occur – usually only on one side and at certain points. The breast can also be enlarged due to the congestion.

In general, pain in the limbs can occur. Sometimes the mother feels nausea. If the milk congestion lasts longer or spreads, the entire breast can harden and be very painful.

Often the nipples are also sensitive, reddened and swollen. The nipples are then particularly sensitive to pain. It is also possible that not only one but both breasts are affected.

If an inflammation develops in the breast (mastitis) due to the milk congestion, flu-like symptoms such as fever and chills can occur. This inflammation of the breast during childbirth or while breastfeeding is also known as mastitis puerperalis. In general, milk congestion rarely occurs in conjunction with an increase in temperature.

However, if the milk congestion is not treated, it can develop into an inflammation, which can be accompanied by high fever. Temperatures above 38 degrees Celsius then occur. If the milk congestion or mastitis is accompanied by an increase in temperature, a doctor should be consulted, as there is a possibility that it is a bacterial inflammation, which may have to be treated with antibiotics.

What is the best way to solve the milk congestion?

If a milk congestion occurs, a breastfeeding consultation should be sought, as a common reason for milk congestion is the wrong breastfeeding technique. Regular emptying of the breast is essential for the treatment of milk congestion. The actual breastfeeding can be used for this.

It is then best to use the congested breast first for breastfeeding and to breastfeed regularly – approximately every 2 to 2 1⁄2 hours. In some cases gravity can be used to facilitate breastfeeding. In this case, the mother stands over the baby in a four-footed position and breastfeds it in this position.

The breast can also be emptied by mechanical pumping. The mother should also drink plenty of fluids. Special methods of stroking the blocked areas and massages of the breast can relieve the congestion.

Before breastfeeding, the breast should be treated with moist heat. This ensures that the secretion drains better.The heat can be applied, for example, with a red light lamp. If necessary, Syntocinon-Spray (Oxytocin Nasal Spray) can also be sprayed into the nose if milk emptying problems occur.

This medication contains oxytocin, which is responsible, among other things, for the contraction of the smooth muscle cells of the mammary glands and thus for better secretion of the milk. After breastfeeding, the breast should be cooled with curd cheese compresses, for example. If the pain is severe, painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen can be taken.

In most cases it is not necessary to stop breastfeeding if a milk congestion occurs. A massage can help to treat a milk congestion. This can also be done daily to prevent milk congestion.

It is important – no matter which technique is chosen – that the milk flow is stimulated with the massage. In addition, the blood circulation is increased. Through the application of massages the breast can relax and become more permeable.

Different techniques can be applied. Massages such as “Plata Rueda” or “Marmet” are often recommended. During the breast massage, care should be taken to avoid pain.

Before the breast is removed, the application of heat and massage can help to loosen the breast tissue. Afterwards the breast is embraced with thumb, index and middle finger (C-form). The distance from the nipple (nipple) to the fingers or thumb should be about 3-4 cm.

The breast is now lifted slightly and pressed with the fingers in the direction of the ribcage. From this position the next movement begins, in which the thumb moves down and the index finger moves up towards the nipple and presses them together. Care should be taken to ensure that the fingers do not slip over the skin, but are always in the same place on the skin.

Pumping is often used when too much milk is produced. Care should be taken not to pump out both breasts, as this stimulates milk production even more. The milk should be pumped out until there is enough milk left to breastfeed the baby.

After pumping, the breast should feel softer and more relaxed and hardenings should have disappeared. Retterspitz® is a mixture of different oils and tinctures and contains thyme, arnica, rosemary, orange blossom and bergamot. Retterspitz® is used as a compress for milk congestion.

These compresses have an anti-inflammatory, tissue decongesting, pain-relieving, blood circulation-promoting and antispasmodic effect due to the different ingredients. The compresses can be applied several times a day and remain for 1-2 hours per application. When the compress is removed, the breast should be rinsed with warm water.

Quark compresses can be used to cool the breast and thus help to alleviate pain. Quark also has an anti-inflammatory effect. It should be noted that cooling the breast should not be used before breastfeeding, as this prevents the milk from draining off well.

It is best to apply cooling after breastfeeding, when the breast has been emptied. Curd cheese can also be applied directly to the breast – but then it must be washed off again each time. It is therefore best to wrap the curd in cloths (for example kitchen towels) and then place them on the breast.

The curd wrap can be applied after each breastfeeding. It is important to be calm during breastfeeding. Stress promotes milk congestion.

In addition to curd compresses, normal thermal pads, which can also be placed on a swollen ankle, can be used to reduce swelling and relieve pain by cooling the breast. Cabbage compresses – made from cooled white cabbage – can also be used to cool the breast. Grated horseradish – also in a compress – warms the breast before breastfeeding.

In addition, several cups of sage and peppermint tea (see: Sage and Peppermint) a day can help to reduce milk production and thus help to relieve the breast. Various homeopathic remedies can be used to relieve milk congestion. If the milk congestion is caused by an overproduction of milk, phytolacca (cermes berry) or pulsatilla (kitchen cuff) are recommended. These two remedies can reduce the milk production and thus the pain. If there has already been an inflammation of the breast with fever, the remedy belladonna (black belladonna) can provide relief.Before these homeopathic remedies are used, the midwife or doctor should be consulted so that they can be taken correctly and contribute positively to the treatment.