Baby Bump to...Breast Lumps?!
As you transition into motherhood, breastfeeding can be a bumpy journey for both you and baby as you learn to adapt to your new routine. And while many mamas face these challenges alone - you don’t have to - the Postnatal Team of Practitioners at wellbe have the resources, tools and support to help you navigate early newborn feeding.
Blocked ducts are a common condition that present during the breastfeeding experience. A blocked duct is when breast milk cannot flow freely leading to blockage or build up of milk inside the milk duct of the breast. You may notice a tender & painful lump or firm area on your breast or further up near your armpit. The skin around this lump or firm area may appear red & warm, however there is generally no fever as is the case with mastitis. If you experience a fever, it is important to connect with your health care practitioner to rule out mastitis, an infection of the breast. In addition you may notice a small painful white dot on the nipple known as a milk bleb.
The root cause of blocked ducts is often from something that prevents the breast from draining fully. This can be attributed to the following:
a poor latch, therefore the breast is not draining well
irregular, shorter or skipped feeds
tight bra, bag/purse or seat-belt placing pressure on the breast tissue
Many women with blocked ducts have sought the help of health practitioners who perform ultrasound therapy.
Ultrasound therapy for blocked ducts is a non-invasive treatment that uses sound waves + heat to unclog the duct and encourage milk flow. Depending on the degree of blockage, there is typically relief and/or resolution within a few treatments alongside home recommendations.
* An added bonus, once a milk duct becomes unblocked, it is unlikely that the same duct will become re-blocked.
In addition to ultrasound therapy, a few suggestions from our postnatal chiropractors include:
Feed or pump right after your ultrasound therapy treatment. Try to point your little one’s nose in the direction of the blocked duct
Change feeding positions frequently to ensure complete emptying of each breast
Place a warm compress over the blocked duct and gently massage the area
Hydrate especially during hot summer weather
Consult with a lactation consult to make sure baby is latching properly.
If your baby has a tongue tie, chiropractic care can help post tongue tie release!
In addition, chiropractic care can help you with any discomforts throughout your body as it is common to experience postnatal aches and pains as you adapt to new positions to support your new baby
What a few patients have said about ultrasound therapy at wellbe:
“Ultrasound Therapy for blocked ducts is a game changer. The entire treatment was really relaxing and the results were immediate. Knowing that this exists makes me a lot less anxious that having a clogged duct will lead to mastitis again. In the future, I will visit wellbe at the first sign of a clogged duct.”
“I had no idea this service existed, until suggested to me by a lactation consultant. I noticed results immediately and the blocked ducts were gone the next day. I’d recommend this treatment!”
By wellbe’s chiropractic doctors, Dr. Aliya Visram and Dr. Devyn Koczan