Dr. Sonal Prasad
Obstetrics and Gynecology
The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.
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Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
Before two weeks, I have undergone I and D for breast abscess, and from that day I have stopped feeding my baby. On the 21st of March doctor checked and said no need of dressing and there is a small lump still present keep a warm compress it will go and told me not to feed the baby. I am keeping a warm compress daily once but no result. Yesterday, the wound completely healed and there was no leakage of milk from the wound. So I started feeding my baby.
In the night I fed my baby on the wounded breast but in the morning I observed swelling again on the breast. So I kept a hot compress and started pumping. Then I observed a very thick pus on my nipple just a drop. After that, I am trying to hand express and pumping but the pus is not coming out. Now I am very afraid that my gynecologist may again suggest I and D. In the present scenario it is very tough for me to go hospital every day for dressing carrying a small baby. Please tell me whether it can be healed by antibiotics. Can I feed my baby? If I feed the baby will that pus affect my baby?
Hi,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
Please do not worry. A single episode of a small amount of pus exudation may occur. Ideally, you should have pumped away the first set of milk and then started feeding. But please do not get distressed now. Keep breastfeeding your baby keeping the following things in mind.
After feeding from the affected side, use the breast pump to evacuate any residual milk (Do not worry your body will generate enough milk for the baby).
Keep hot compressing twice a day. Maintain proper breast hygiene.
Do visit your gynecologist if you develop any fever or rise of local temperature.
Patient's Query
Thank you doctor,
After I and d lump were still present, and it did not go away till now and since morning it is increased in size. Is not it a problem? After the procedure I always used to pump out the milk, just today I observed the pus. Will that pus affect the baby if I feed her? Can you please suggest medicines to solve this?
Hi,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
Lump takes a while to subside after I and D (incision and drainage). If you do not evacuate the milk completely it increases in size. Do not worry about the small amount of pus. Just stay vigilant of the other red flag signs (fever, etc) mentioned earlier.
If you have completed the antibiotics course properly and completely after the I and D procedure then you do not need to take further antibiotics as it affects the baby's health.
Patient's Query
Thank you doctor for the reply,
My gynecologist advised me not to feed my baby until the lump disappears. However, this situation has become problematic as I am currently only feeding from one breast, and sometimes my baby is not receiving sufficient milk. Additionally, she refuses to take formula milk or any other alternative. Can I feed her from the other breast if she cries?
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
Pump out the breast milk from the affected side. If there is a significant amount of pus, refrain from feeding from that side. However, if only a small drop of pus has been observed (as mentioned earlier), there is no immediate cause for concern. If you prefer, you can send me a picture for further evaluation.
Thank you for consulting me.
Patient's Query
Thank you doctor for the reply,
During the hot compress, a drop the size of a mustard seed is expressed, and after the hot compress, when I resume pumping, a mustard-sized drop is still expressed. How long does it typically take for the lump to subside?
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
The duration required for the lump to subside depends on its size. If there is persistent pus secretion in the milk, it is advisable to visit your gynecologist for a physical examination.
Thank you for consulting me.
Patient's Query
Thank you doctor for the reply,
No pus is visible throughout the pumping process, and the milk remains clear in color. Only at the beginning of the pumping session, pus is observed. What can be done? Please help.
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
Okay then, you can discard the first 15 ml of breast milk and feed the rest to the baby. If possible, please send me a picture of your breasts. If you are sending pictures, please include images of both breasts as it would be helpful to assess symmetry.
Thank you for consulting me.
You can always come back and reach me at icliniq.com.
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Obstetrics and Gynecology
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