I had breast abscess that was drained by Incision & Drainage surgery with 200 ml of pus drained immediately. The cut was left open and is packed daily with drain gauze. It's been 20 days and the wound is dressed and packed twice a day. It is still leaking milk and the problem is that breast pump or hand expression of milk from the nipples is not working effectively. Doctor says unless the milk is expressed from nipple, the abscess will form again. Just want to know, is anybody else out there who has had the same problem or anyone has any idea what can be done. I do not want to stop breastfeeding as my baby is only 3 months old. Please suggest what can be done. It will be a great help.

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My wife had a same problem 20days post delivery and she could feed baby for 20 days and then she had to go through breast surgery due to encroachment and milk was stopped by medicine as she has to do dressing every day and not possible for her to feed the baby. So my baby is on formula since 25 days. Doctor says relectation is possible but can not guarantee and try only after her wound will heal completely. And there is no problem in formula as it is the only option.

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can i have your number? i am having the same problem

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Thanks! I asked the doctor and he advised not to use hot water bag or towel. He has allowed only ice packs to reduce pain and swelling.

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Try using hot water bag, Once my baby stopped feeding and my breasts became very hard. So used the hot Water bag . It reduces the pain and milk can be drawn easily. But before that ask your doctor once if you can use it or not as you had a surgery.

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before expressing milk, put warm towel. it will make lumo softer n easy to express

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Thanks for your response Nikitha. I try to hand express max possible milk every 3-4 hours to make sure the breast is empty. But I still feel lot of hardness and pain all over. Just hoping it goes away and i get some relief.

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Hello...Try using breast pad....and also express milk how much ever is possible slowly...that is the only way....you cannot drain milk from one breast alone...so you can try this way....till the wound is cleared