In fact, we have published a rumor article on this topic a long time ago, but we can only say that the city routine is deep, and the propaganda speed of merchants is much higher than our science popularization speed.

Moreover, the slogan of "Residual Milk Project" is really attractive to postpartum mothers:

Breast enhancement, breast enhancement and cancer prevention? Does discharging residual milk really have such an effect?

Follow today's real case and see what obstetricians say.

1 query ring segment

Hello, Dr. Ding! Weaning a 6-month-old baby because of work. It has been weaned for several months. After weaning, I began to feel breast swelling and pain, and it didn't hurt when I stopped breastfeeding. But now sometimes there is still a little milk coming out of my nipple. I don't know. Is it normal?

People around me say that this is the failure to discharge residual milk after childbirth. Let me excrete the residual milk as soon as possible. If I don't get rid of it, I may get breast hyperplasia. If it is serious, it will block the breast, affect the breastfeeding of the second child, and I may even get breast cancer. That sounds scary. Is that really the case?

Recently, my neighbor's daughter-in-law also discharged residual milk in the community beauty salon and asked me to go with her, but I'm still a little uneasy, so I'll confirm with you.

Hello, Ma Bao! Thank you for your trust and consultation. I have read your question in detail, and now I will answer your question as follows:

1. First of all, according to your description, it is normal for nipples to occasionally shed milk just a few months after weaning. Don't be nervous.

Secondly, there is no concept of "residual milk" in medicine.

What we call "residual milk" is actually that a small amount of milk can still be squeezed from the nipple for a period of time after weaning, which is a very normal phenomenon. Because after stopping breast milk, the milk in the mammary duct will not disappear immediately, but will be gradually absorbed with the metabolism of human cells. The length of this process varies greatly from person to person. Some mothers may not have it in a few months, but some mothers may have it in a few years.

Moreover, in this process, under the action of lactation inhibition feedback factors, the milk yield is gradually reduced, the composition and color of milk are also changing, the moisture content is gradually reduced, and the characteristics of milk are from thin to sticky to cheese-like. These are normal phenomena, not milk deterioration, so even after weaning for a period of time, it is normal to occasionally have milk flowing out of the nipple, so there is no need to be nervous and worried.

So there is no need to discharge residual milk.

2 is there a relationship between breast problems and residual milk?

Moreover, there is no evidence that not discharging residual milk will lead to breast diseases such as breast hyperplasia and breast cancer. The popular science articles before mammary gland hyperplasia have told you that it is actually a normal physiological phenomenon, not a disease;

The high risk factors of breast cancer are related to these aspects: age, obesity, late menarche or menopause, family history of breast cancer, mutation of breast cancer susceptibility gene, infertility, non-delivery, non-breastfeeding, lifestyle (drinking, smoking) and so on. This has nothing to do with "residual milk".

In addition, after weaning, the breast tissue begins to degenerate, and most of the milk will be gradually absorbed by the body, and a small amount may be retained for months or years, but this will not cause any harm to the body, nor will it affect the breastfeeding of the second child.

At present, some beauty institutions exaggerate the propaganda of "discharging residual milk", and incorrect breast massage and squeezing may also damage breast tissue and cause harm to the body.

So I hope you don't do it easily after you know it, or you can tell your friends around you that there is no need to spend this money at all.

Ma Bao asked for the second time.

Ok, thank you, Dr. Ding!

I understand very clearly that the hanging heart has finally been put down. It seems that I usually read too little popular science, so I must learn more from our family doctor in the future! By the way, doctor, I have a pimple on my left breast near my armpit. What the doctor saw last time was a pair of breasts. Does this work?

You're welcome.

Auxiliary milk generally has no effect, mainly affecting the appearance. During lactation, if milk accumulates, it may cause accessory breast pain. Some mothers don't need special treatment if they don't feel uncomfortable after breastfeeding. If they feel that it affects their appearance or they have recurrent pain, they can consider surgical treatment. Don't worry about this problem.

But be careful not to massage and stimulate the auxiliary breast, which will not be eliminated by massage.