quick clicks

babies today articles

babies today q&a

toddlers today articles

toddlers today q&a

breastfeed.com articles

breastfeed.com q&a

community & groups

research baby names

prepare a birth plan

content channels

ip channel rss feeds

read birth stories

read parenting stories

recommended books

e-newsletters

safety recalls

ip diaries

ip store

mom of the month

dad of the month

editor's letter

letters to the editor

Expert Q&A

	By Ann Calandro BSN, RNC, IBCLC Lactation Consultant

My wife just recently had our first child. We have been having problems with the baby latching on, so she decided to begin pumping and feeding the baby breast milk via a bottle. This morning she noticed a bump in her armpit. We were wondering if this could be a sign of a blocked milk duct.

Yes, this sounds like it is probably a milk duct that is backed up a bit. She may want to put some warm soaks on it before pumping and during pumping, doing some gentle fingertip massage. The enlarged area should get smaller and softer each time that the milk is pumped. It is important to be sure the breast is thoroughly emptied each time, so that the tissue around it does not get irritated and cause mastitis. If the area does not improve within 24 hours or becomes very painful and red, she should consult her health care provider for further assistance.

If she would like to help the baby learn to breastfeed, please have her call her local lactation consultant or La Leche League Leader for tips on helping the baby learn to latch on. If she decides to continue pumping, make sure she has a hospital-grade double electric pump. These pumps do a more thorough job of emptying the breast than the smaller pumps. However, nothing removes milk from the breast as well as a hungry, correctly latched on baby!

View more Q&A by this Expert