Lactational Mastitis

Lactational Mastitis

Q: Female, 24 years old, postpartum for over ten months. Due to insufficient milk supply, she began storing milk during the day for nighttime feeding starting from the eighth month. Recently, her right breast has become painful and developed a hard lump. The ultrasound shows breast enlargement, and the doctor recommends emptying the breast and applying warm compresses. If she stops breastfeeding now, will the pain subside? And should she wait until the pain disappears before weaning?

A: A baby over ten months old can indeed be weaned. However, you must first address the current breast hyperplasia and mastitis. Breast pumping is one aspect, but you should also take a course of traditional Chinese medicine. These herbs focus on soothing the liver and relieving depression, clearing heat and detoxifying, promoting blood circulation and removing stasis, and reducing swelling and relieving pain, with excellent results when administered based on syndrome differentiation.

---