Lactation mastitis

The primary function of breasts is to produce milk following the birth of a baby (lactation).

Emotions

When your solution to consoling a crying baby relies heavily on breastfeeding and rocking them to sleep, you can end up feeling exhausted, ineffective and helpless. It may help you to seek alternative ways to settle your baby that will likely leave you feeling less tired.

See whatwerewethinking.org.au and/or ‘Pregnancy & beyond’ on the Jean Hailes Anxiety hub for more information.

The primary function of breasts is to produce milk following the birth of a baby (lactation). Each breast is made up of 15-20 lobes. These contain the milk-producing glands and ducts along which the milk travels to the nipple. Fat and fibrous tissue surround these structures and give the breasts their individual size and shape.

The breasts also contain blood vessels, lymph glands and nerves. It is normal for one breast to be slightly larger than the other. The size of the breast does not determine how much milk it will produce.

Lactation mastitis

This is an inflammation of the breast that can be caused by blocked milk ducts, or by a bacterial infection.

Symptoms include:

• tender or painful breasts
• hot, hard, swollen or reddened breasts
• flu-like symptoms, such as a fever, aches and pains.

Treatment for lactation mastitis

Treatment may include:

• continuing to breastfeed or express milk, as draining the breast helps clear the blocked ducts
• antibiotics for the bacterial infection
• anti-inflammatory medication to relieve the inflammation and pain.

Libido

Some breastfeeding women have an increased production of the hormone prolactin, which can reduce their sexual desire. For ideas about how to increase your libido, see our webpages on libido.

Normal breast changes during life

From adolescence to menopause, breast tissue is affected by the hormonal changes associated with the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and lactation. Breast tissue can become more tender and lumpy just prior to a menstrual period, and less tender and lumpy after a period.

It is normal and quite common for breasts to be lumpy or have benign (non-cancerous) nodules.

During the perimenopausal years, when women transition from regular periods to their final period (menopause), women often experience increased breast discomfort because of a change in hormone levels that affects breast tissue.

After menopause, the glandular tissue of the breast is largely replaced by fatty tissue.

When to see your doctor

It is important to know your own breasts so you can tell if any changes occur.

You should see your doctor about:

• new lumps
• new lumpiness
• changes in the shape of your breast
• changes in the colour of your breast
• changes in the nipple
• discharge from the nipple
• puckering or dimpling of breast skin
• any persistent breast pain
• any persistent nipple or breast itching or rash.