Clinically, we often encounter the problem of mastitis caused by the so-called “discharge of residual milk” of weaning mothers, and there are also advertisements saying that “milk not drained in time will cause toxins to accumulate and the whole breast tissue to become diseased or even cancerous.” What is the real situation? Changes of residual milk in breast after weaning After weaning, the water of milk gradually decreases, and the concentration of lactose and potassium ions also decreases at the same time. The milk that loses water contains an increasing proportion of fat, and at this time, the milk discharged will be sticky or toothpaste-like, white, creamy, and yellow. After breast weaning, the glands begin to degenerate, the milk-producing cells gradually break down and absorb, and the milk is broken down and digested by phagocytes. Breast Cancer and Discharge of Residual Milk Studies have shown that the development of breast cancer is related to the increase of estrogen, unhealthy lifestyle, not having children, not breastfeeding, improper use of maintenance products and obesity. Nowadays, due to the demand of the market, lactation consultants have emerged. Some people are simply trained and do not understand the structure of the breast, that is, wanton operation. Can I massage my breasts? During the breastfeeding period the breasts are fragile, the glandular vesicles in the breast are filled with a large amount of milk, like a balloon filled with water, strong pressure, the balloon ruptures, the milk overflows, destroying the surrounding normal tissue, causing the condition to worsen. After breastfeeding, milk remains in the milk ducts and can be absorbed by itself, because the amount is small and sticky, it cannot be discharged cleanly. If the breast is massaged and discharged, the milk ducts are broken, which can cause local autoimmune reaction and the breast forms a lump, which develops into a very difficult disease in breast surgery – granulomatous mastitis. And if there is a malignant tumor in the breast, it will be stimulated by massage, grow rapidly, an uncontrollable, serious consequences. If the breast has benign nodules, force massage will cause damage to the surrounding tissue, edema, the formation of nodules is not formed overnight, so it will not disappear. So breast massage risk is huge! Science back to breast 1, the principle of breast lactation: breast lactation, is the result of a series of neuroendocrine response. The sudden drop in progesterone after childbirth stimulates the pituitary gland and produces lactogen. This order from the brain goes straight to the breasts, which are ready to nurse during the period of pregnancy and secrete milk under the sucking of the baby. When the baby no longer sucks on the nipple, the stimulation becomes less and less, the brain receives fewer signals, secretes less and less lactogen, and naturally it returns to the breast! 2, the time to return to breast milk: human breastfeeding time is 2 years, and natural weaning is advocated. 3, back to the breast method: (1) natural back to the breast: the mother gradually reduce the number of feedings, the interval gradually becomes longer, the milk gradually decreases until it disappears. (2) Gradual lactation: If there is more breast milk, or if there is an emergency need to lactate back, you can choose medication to lactate back. Under the guidance of doctors, you can take Chinese medicine fried malt, Western medicine vitamin B6, ethylene estrol, bromocriptine, etc. (3) Sudden return of breast milk: breastfeeding has to be interrupted due to special reasons. Treatment of residual milk after weaning If the breast is naturally returned, the residual milk in the breast does not need to be treated and will be dissipated and absorbed together with the atrophy and degeneration of the breast tissue. For those who gradually return to breast milk, a small amount of milk can be eliminated if the breast is obviously swollen and painful. The accumulation of milk can produce components that inhibit milk secretion and the amount of milk produced will become less and less, together with the stimulation of no infant sucking. Again, the residual milk does not need to be treated. The first thing you need to do is to take care of your breasts during the breastfeeding period. 1, diet: the diet of the mother during the weaning period should be light, less greasy, more vegetables and fruits, less soup. 2, wearing: you can wear some fitted underwear to hold up the fixed breast to reduce the pain of breast swelling. 3, exercise: after the successful return of breast milk, it is recommended that mothers properly physical exercise, more chest expansion exercises, can make the breast faster to restore elasticity. 4.If breast lumps, local skin redness, fever and other symptoms appear during breastfeeding, you should seek medical consultation from a specialist in time. 5.Breast shape: After breastfeeding, the breast shape will atrophy, become smaller, and some of the breasts will be flat. Don’t worry, most mothers will develop plump again after one year with proper diet and exercise.