Causes Of Mastitis

Blocked Milk Ducts

One of the most common reasons women develop a breast infection is because of the incomplete drainage of the breast during feeding. This, alongside blocked milk ducts, creates the perfect environment for an infection to take hold. When milk becomes trapped in a duct, it will cause pain and swelling.

There are many reasons milk can become trapped in a duct. Most frequently, the cause is an improper latch during feeding or using a breast pump that isn't powerful enough. In both cases, there is not enough suction to completely drain the breast, leading to infection. Other factors that can contribute to this issue are high levels of stress, illness in the mother, and compression of one or more ducts due to pressure on the breast. The best way to treat this is frequent nursing or pumping and firm, regular massage with warm compresses.

Keep reading to understand more causes of mastitis now.