Why does it hurt while breastfeeding. Milk fever in a nursing mother

If in the early postpartum period (in the first 2 hours after childbirth) fatigue is a direct consequence of muscle work and the psychological stress of the birth process, then within 6-8 weeks after childbirth and beyond, weakness is an indicator of various conditions associated with both physiological and with psychological reasons.

Let's consider the main ones.

Anemia. Occurs as a result of birth or postpartum hemorrhage (if any). Normal blood loss during childbirth is considered not to exceed 0.5% of body weight (on average, after physiological childbirth, it is 200-300 ml). The bleeding then continues into the postpartum period. There is a decrease in the level of red blood cells and, as a consequence, hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is contained in red blood cells - erythrocytes, consists of protein and iron and is the main respiratory enzyme - a substance that delivers oxygen to organs and tissues. The more blood loss, the stronger the feeling of weakness due to the resulting oxygen deficiency of organs and tissues. Weakness is one of the signs of anemia (a decrease in the amount of hemoglobin in red blood cells - erythrocytes), especially iron deficiency, which is determined in 90% of cases of all anemia. The fact is that iron binds oxygen, thereby ensuring the respiratory function of the blood. It is known that iron in the body is contained, in addition to erythrocytes, liver and spleen (the main hematopoietic organs), also in brain cells and myoglobin - a kind of "hemoglobin" of muscles. Hence, observed in anemia, muscle weakness and inhibition of mental activity. In addition, shortness of breath, dizziness, fainting, as well as changes associated with a lack of oxygen and nutrients may appear: hair loss, brittle nails, cracks in the corners of the mouth. With pathological blood loss (after caesarean section, hypotonic postpartum hemorrhage, placental abruption, massive soft tissue ruptures), as well as in the presence of anemia during pregnancy, weakness is aggravated.

In turn, iron deficiency leads to a sharp weakening of the immune system, which can also be manifested by weakness and susceptibility to viral and bacterial infections. To stimulate hematopoiesis, iron and vitamins C, B, folic acid, and proteins are needed.

In case of detection of anemia, it is recommended to take iron-containing drugs, vitamin therapy, protein diet, normalization of sleep and wakefulness. It is desirable to check the clinical analysis of blood in dynamics - several times during treatment. Treatment of anemia is long-term (at least 4-6 weeks), although health improves quickly. This is also true during breastfeeding.

Changes in the activity of various body systems

Features of the cardiovascular system. It is known that during pregnancy the volume of circulating blood increases by 30-50%. At the same time, blood pressure changes, the work of the heart becomes more intense. After childbirth, these indicators also change, but only in the opposite direction, and not gradually, but sharply. And any sudden physiological changes in the body are initially felt as discomfort and take time to adapt.

Hormonal changes. There is a reconfiguration of the work of the endocrine glands (hypothalamus, pituitary gland, adrenal glands) in order to adapt to the new needs of the body, primarily to postpartum recovery and breastfeeding. The hormonal shift is manifested in the first two or three days after childbirth by an increased release of prolactin (a pituitary hormone that stimulates milk production) - the first milk supply that occurs with breast engorgement, fever and severe weakness. Further, throughout the entire period of breastfeeding, such vegetative manifestations as "internal trembling", sweating, especially at night, and again weakness can be observed. Hormonal changes directly depend on the restructuring of the activity of the central nervous system with a change in the dominant of childbirth to the dominant of feeding and motherhood 1.

Change in topography (location) of internal organs. By analogy with empty nest syndrome, termination of pregnancy can be called "empty belly syndrome". This condition has psychological and physiological components. Within a few months, the organs of the abdominal cavity and chest (intestines, diaphragm, heart, lungs) gradually changed their location, moving up and to the sides by the pregnant uterus. And then they were forced to immediately “fall” into the vacated space. This sudden movement of organs can be accompanied by discomfort. In addition, a woman who has been interacting with a child for nine months on the principle of “I carry everything with me” suddenly loses her constant “burden”. And despite the fact that the child becomes psychologically closer, the feeling of bodily "loss and emptiness" can make itself felt. This symptom is temporary. Sometimes women may experience the moment of childbirth as a loss of a sense of fullness, which can subsequently provoke postpartum depression.

Psychological changes. It should be noted that special psychological conditions can also be the cause of postpartum weakness. This so-called postpartum adaptation, associated with the arrival of a new family member, and postpartum depression, one of the symptoms of which is a feeling of lack of strength. But such states are the topics of separate articles 2 .

A young mother should not forget that postpartum weakness is a treatable and (importantly!) passing condition. It will definitely be replaced by a period of vital activity. Weakness arises in accordance with the law of the general rhythm of our life: tension is always followed by relaxation. Remember how during childbirth, every contraction was followed by a pause. The alternation of daytime wakefulness and nighttime rest, inhalation and exhalation, also well illustrate this pattern. Therefore, if you feel weak, you should not give in to panic: you should simply accept this state as temporary and help yourself to wait it out.

The period of formation of lactation proceeds with individual characteristics for each young mother. The average duration of this period is from 14 days to 8 weeks. During this period, the female body adapts to the individual needs of the infant, and also reformats the hormonal background to the new living conditions.

A considerable percentage of women experience such a negative symptom as a feeling of chills, which can occur both with an increase in temperature and against the background of normal temperature indicators. In order to find a way to deal with this symptom, it is important to familiarize yourself with the likely causes of its occurrence.

Causes of chills

As a rule, a feeling of chills in the lactation period occurs against the background of an increase in body temperature. This characteristic symptom complex is formed under such conditions:

General intoxication of the body that occurs against the background of ingestion of toxic components into the body or when using low-quality food products;
If a young mother has previously undergone a caesarean section, then a feeling of chills and fever in the lactation period may indicate infectious and inflammatory complications of this operation;
Postpartum endometritis;
Respiratory viral infections.

If a woman in the postpartum period has a feeling of chills, her body temperature rises, and there is a discharge from the genital tract of a purulent or bloody nature, then she should urgently consult a gynecologist, since particles of the placenta or other tissues that provoked purulent-inflammatory complications.

After a caesarean section, a woman should pay attention to the condition of the postoperative suture. If a young mother is worried about the pulling pain in the area of the postoperative scar, then we are talking about infection of the wound zone, followed by suppuration. As practice shows, the most common cause of chills during lactation is the stagnation of breast milk (lactostasis). This condition is called lactating women's milk fever.

This clinical situation develops during the formation of breastfeeding, when a woman's body produces large volumes of milk that exceed the needs of an infant. Milk fever is characterized by a sharp increase in body temperature to high levels (39 and above), severe chills, followed by a feeling of heat.

In addition, changes are observed in the mammary glands themselves. The female breast becomes dense, visually tense, and the woman herself feels soreness and a feeling of fullness. Minimal touch to such a mammary gland is accompanied by discomfort and pain. With untimely treatment of lactostasis, a woman runs the risk of developing mastitis.

Treatment

Therapy of chills with breastfeeding directly depends on the cause of this condition. If this symptom is accompanied by an increase in body temperature over 38 degrees, then the nursing mother needs to take one of them. When lactating, let's take Paracetamol or Ibuprofen.

Regardless of the cause of the chills, it is strictly forbidden to resort to self-medication with antibiotics or antiviral agents. If chills and fever are caused by a common cold, then a nursing woman needs to consult a general practitioner, take antipyretic drugs, drink warm water and rest.

If there are objective signs of lactostasis or mastitis, a young mother will need to consult a mammologist. In the absence of infectious and inflammatory complications, a woman will be able to continue breastfeeding, which will be supplemented by pumping. If mastitis is diagnosed, a woman may be prescribed antibiotics and a temporary cessation of feeding.

The following tips help to cope with a slight stagnation of breast milk in the mammary glands:

If in the process of feeding the child does not completely empty the mammary gland, then, in order to avoid congestion, the young mother should express the remaining milk;
It helps to improve blood circulation in the mammary glands, expand the milk ducts and improve the outflow of milk. A nursing woman can perform light stroking of the mammary glands 2 times a day in the direction from the periphery to the nipples. And also avoid sharp pressure and squeezing.

A compress from a fresh cabbage leaf, which is pre-cooled in the refrigerator and kneaded with a rolling pin until juice appears, helps to reduce the intensity of congestion. Such a compress is applied to the mammary gland, covered with cling film and woolen cloth from above. The duration of holding the compress is 30-40 minutes.

Every breastfeeding mother should know that breastfeeding is not only the most exciting and reverent period in her life, but also quite difficult, because many women have problems with lactation. It can be both a lack of milk for feeding a child, and its overabundance. And all this has a very negative impact on the health of a nursing mother. For example, a woman may develop milk fever.

Why does milk fever occur in a nursing mother?
When breast milk arrives very quickly and cannot find its way out of the breast, the milk ducts become blocked and milk stasis (lactostasis) occurs in a nursing woman. In most cases, milk begins to arrive with a double amount in the first weeks after childbirth, when the child does not yet consume all the mother's milk, which is why it accumulates and stagnates in the breast. As a result of all this, milk fever begins in a nursing woman, which occurs suddenly, seemingly without any reason. The temperature rises sharply (maybe up to 40 degrees), the woman is very shivering, often the chill turns into a fever. A nursing mother feels weakness throughout her body, she begins to have a headache. At the same time, the chest swells strongly, bursting is felt in it, it becomes very painful, hard to the touch and heavy, as if “stone”. The slightest touch to such a breast causes severe pain. So, if the breast is very sore during breastfeeding, the breastfeeding mother has hard, painful breasts, as well as a high temperature during breastfeeding, then this means that the woman has milk fever. It should be noted that for some nursing mothers, this period passes unnoticed, since milk comes gradually, and not immediately.
What to do if the temperature of a nursing mother rises? How to stop milk in a nursing mother? What to do if a breastfeeding mother has milk fever? How to remove milk fever in a nursing woman? The fact is that many women who do not know about the existence of such a fever get scared, start to panic, do not know what to do, it seems to them that they are ill with something serious that it can be dangerous for the baby. Therefore, mothers stop breastfeeding, fearing that the child may contract this incomprehensible disease through milk. I must say that such behavior of a nursing mother is fundamentally wrong. In such a situation, on the contrary, it is simply necessary to put the baby to the breast as often as possible. After all, the very first thing to do with milk fever is to express the diseased breast as soon as possible, otherwise the pain will only increase. That is why it is necessary to apply a child to the breast, it is he who will be able to help his mother to clear out less painfully by sucking her milk. In the event that the child is sleeping, or in the maternity hospital they do not bring him to feed for any reason, and the breast is already very swollen, then the woman should gently sprinkle the milk, which creates a feeling of strong tension in the breast, while leaving the rest quantity. It is to sprinkle the excess, and not to express the chest, that is, to remove what creates discomfort and pain in the chest. To do this, you first need to gently stroke the entire breast, and then, gently pressing, stroke it towards the nipple, put four fingers under the areola (thumb should be on top) and sprinkle excess milk with light squeezes. As soon as the chest pain passes, this process must be stopped, and when discomfort reappears, the procedure must be repeated again.
If for some reason it is impossible to breastfeed the baby, then the milk must be completely expressed in some other way (the breast must be completely emptied). For example, you can resort to using a breast pump or expressing with your hands. In order to unblock the passages for milk and help pumping, the breast must be massaged. Due to severe pain in the chest, this will not be easy to do, but you will not help here in any other way, because if the breast is not massaged, then the milk can burn out, as a result of which a seal forms in the chest, which will only have to be removed surgically.
You can also call a nurse from the maternity hospital who will provide quick and professional assistance. Still, it is better to use the services of a professional, because inept, improper pumping can lead to a worsening of the situation, and swelling and bruising may appear on the delicate skin of the chest. In the way that get rid of milk fever you need to completely empty your chest.
If a nursing mother has a severe headache with milk fever, then you can take a tablet of paracetamol or analgin, but before that you should definitely consult a doctor. If he allows you to drink a pill, then it is best to do this 5 minutes before feeding, in which case it will not have time to dissolve in milk, thus not harming the baby.
If a nursing mother has a high temperature with milk fever, then we must try to reduce it a little, of course, while it is better not to resort to various drugs, but to do this using natural methods. For example, you can do a cold douche, a cold enema, and a woman can also do a rubdown with water and vinegar.
In addition, during a milk fever, a nursing mother should stop taking hot food, and even more so liquid, this is necessary so that the flow of milk does not increase even more. But the best thing is not to bring yourself to such a state. Every nursing mother should know that her breasts must be expressed regularly (at least for prevention purposes), one should not be lazy, otherwise such an unpleasant problem as milk fever may arise. It is especially necessary to express for those women whose breasts are prone to problems of this kind. And yet - during the period when mature milk arrives, it is very important to feed the baby more often.
Thus, milk fever is not such a terrible disease as it might seem at first glance. The main thing in this situation is not to panic, but to act correctly, adhering to the recommendations described above.

Breastfeeding is a natural process, equally necessary for both mother and baby. A lactating woman tries to stick to a diet, drink plenty of fluids, and massage her breasts so that feeding is complete and correct. What to do when the temperature rises while breastfeeding. Is this considered a contraindication and what to do if you have a strong fever?

The main reasons for the increase in temperature during HB

Fever in a nursing mother is a common problem in the postpartum period. Fever, aching joints, chills cause a lot of excitement and anxiety. After all, the well-being of a child, for whom it is vital to receive breast milk, directly depends on the state of health of a woman. Here it is necessary to accurately determine the cause of the fever, and eliminate it as soon as possible. You may need serious treatment, the tactics of which can be determined by an experienced doctor.

The temperature often rises due to:

acute viral diseases;
food poisoning;
complications after childbirth;
exacerbation of chronic diseases.

If you associate the temperature that has risen sharply during breastfeeding with breast problems, you can note:

lactostasis;
mastitis at any stage;
errors in temperature measurement (thermometry).

With thermometry, pain syndrome and pathological discharge from the mammary glands are not observed. There are also no signs of runny nose and cough. The temperature rises to 37 C and is constantly in this limit. This condition is considered normal, since when the ducts are filled, the temperature always increases. When the chest is emptied, the temperature returns to normal.

So that nursing mothers do not attribute feverish fever to themselves by measuring the temperature under the armpit, they are recommended to take measurements rectally, orally or in the elbow bend.

If the mother's temperature has risen to 39-40 C due to a viral infection, this indicates an inflammation that requires urgent medical attention. Chronic pathologies during breastfeeding are also exacerbated, and not necessarily due to pathogenic viruses. It can be diseases of the thyroid gland, nervous system, digestive organs.

Endometritis, which develops after infection of the wound from a caesarean section, or other septic pathologies often cause an increased temperature.

Sore throat during breastfeeding can also lead to an increase in temperature

lactostasis

Sometimes the cause of the temperature that has increased during breastfeeding is lactostasis (or milk retention). The disorder occurs when stagnation occurs in the ducts. Breast milk has a natural property - to raise the temperature in case of injury, stagnation or damage to the ducts. If the glands are not released, and staphylococcus aureus has been introduced through the nipple, doctors call this type of lactostasis a latent stage of mastitis, which causes severe inflammation.

Causes of lactostasis causing fever:

unnecessarily, provoking the accumulation of milk in large volumes that the baby does not need.
Abnormal structure of the nipples (flat and inverted).
Sagging chest.
Irregular application, incorrect feeding regimen (strictly by the hour, not on demand) -.
Chest injury.
Use of tight underwear that compresses the glands.

With stagnation of milk, the breast greatly increases in size, seals are felt, the temperature rises (up to 40 C). Explicit redness, swelling of the glands with lactostasis is not observed. As soon as the breast is freed from the accumulated portion of milk, heat and pain disappear without medical attention.

So that the temperature does not rise and lactostasis does not develop, the baby should be fed at 1.5-2 hourly intervals. Night feedings are especially valuable. With milk stagnation, you can express a little and. If the problem occurs regularly, therapeutic treatment is possible. It consists in taking medications aimed at suppressing hyperlactation.

Mastitis

This is an inflammation of the mammary glands that develops during breastfeeding. Mastitis is considered an unpleasant and common problem during this period -.

There are many risk factors in which mastitis develops and the temperature rises strongly:

nipple injuries;
running lactostasis;
reduced immunity;
non-observance of hygiene rules;
chronic diseases, etc.

The onset of inflammation is due to the entry of streptococcal and staphylococcal bacteria into the glands through wounds and microcracks in the nipples.

Mastitis is divided into:

Serous- with it, mommy's temperature rises to 39 C. She is shivering, feverish, sleepy. The affected chest swells, shines, turns red, hurts.
infiltrative- a seal appears on the chest, the skin turns red over it, the temperature reaches 38C. There is a loss of strength, a headache.
Purulent- characterized by a deterioration in well-being, high fever, weakness, sweating, fever. If you manage to express milk, pus is found in it. The chest hurts a lot, especially when moving, turning, changing positions. If you do not seek the help of doctors, the death and decomposition of mammary gland tissues will begin, accompanied by septic shock.

Mastitis is extremely dangerous. The patient should be examined by a specialist. Before starting treatment, milk is taken from the breast for bacteriological analysis to determine the causative agent of the infection. Only by revealing his sensitivity to antibiotics, the doctor prescribes the necessary medications to help bring down the temperature and destroy the pathogen.

Serous mastitis is treated by eliminating lactostasis - actively, decanted, massaged. The infiltrative type is suppressed by lactation-reducing pills. Physical procedures are used - ultrasound, antibiotic therapy, antihistamines.

The temperature due to purulent mastitis, frolicking during breastfeeding, rises while there is pus in the cavity of the mammary gland. Doctors use surgery to open and destroy a purulent formation. At the same time, lactation is actively suppressed, the mother takes antibiotics, she is intravenously injected with nutrient and supportive solutions.

If the chest is reddened and swollen during breastfeeding, it is strictly forbidden to use heating, hot heating pads and compresses. This will be another impetus for the progression of the inflammatory process.

Postpartum thrombophlebitis

The cause of fever is often the pathology that arose during childbirth due to infection with pathogenic bacteria. With thrombophlebitis, the walls of the veins become inflamed, blocking the vascular lumen. As a result, thrombus formation occurs.

Pathology in women who have recently given birth develops with:

heavy bleeding;
long difficult childbirth;
the presence of hematomas in tissue injuries;
the need to separate the placenta manually;
early discharge of water;
operations.

Thrombophlebitis of the extremities is expressed by lethargy, pulling pains, slight swelling and redness in the areas of vascular lesions, as well as a low temperature (about 37 C). Lymph nodes may become enlarged. The patient's state of health is practically not disturbed. When examining, the doctor feels for a seal along the venous trunk.

Stop breastfeeding in this disorder that caused the temperature is recommended for complications, antibiotic therapy, or taking other drugs that are contraindicated in lactation. The patient relies on bed rest, in which the legs are kept on a hill. A rapidly developing pathological process requires surgical intervention.

Is it possible to continue to feed with a temperature

In this difficult period, much depends on the cause that caused the temperature. Breastfeeding is contraindicated in:

pathologies of the kidneys and genitourinary system;
purulent mastitis;
blood diseases;
tuberculosis;
acute infectious diseases.

In severe ailments, toxic substances, together with milk, easily penetrate into the fragile body of the baby, and harm its health. Doctors advise temporarily expressing and throwing away milk when:

Pneumonia, purulent tonsillitis, sinusitis (if the mother takes antibiotics). At the same time, regardless of the absence or presence of temperature, it is better to put on a gauze bandage, in contact with the baby.
Dysentery, severe intestinal poisoning. If the disease is mild, the baby is given expressed boiled breast milk.

Feeding is completely stopped if prescribed:

analgesics based on narcotic substances;
chemotherapy;
immunosuppressive agents.

How to bring down the temperature while breastfeeding

For colds, it is advised to bring down the temperature when it exceeds 38 C.

Antipyretic drugs allowed while breastfeeding:

ibuprofen;

Before taking even the most harmless medicines, you should consult a doctor. Only he will determine the duration of the course and prescribe the correct dose.

The most effective way is a cold compress on the temples and forehead. You can use ice wrapped in gauze, a cold heating pad, or soak a towel folded in layers in cold water.
Excellent when breastfeeding from the temperature helps vinegar compress. It is diluted 1:2 with water.
Fever relieves warm drink. It can be fruit compotes, cranberry or currant juice. They should be taken carefully in order to avoid allergies in infants.

High temperature, not caused by a serious pathology, is not considered a contraindication to feeding. Babies rarely refuse to breastfeed, even if the milk is hot regular. Receiving antibodies from the mother, the child will strengthen his immunity. Such children are less likely to get sick and recover faster.

If you still had to interrupt breastfeeding for a while, but want to return to it, you can still feed your baby with expressed milk. .

The main reasons for the increase in temperature during HB

The temperature often rises due to:

acute viral diseases;
food poisoning;
complications after childbirth;
exacerbation of chronic diseases.

If you associate the temperature that has risen sharply during breastfeeding with breast problems, you can note:

lactostasis;
mastitis at any stage;
errors in temperature measurement (thermometry).

So that nursing mothers do not attribute feverish fever to themselves by measuring the temperature under the armpit, they are recommended to take measurements rectally, orally or in the elbow bend.

Endometritis, which develops after infection of the wound from a caesarean section, or other septic pathologies often cause an increased temperature.

Sore throat during breastfeeding can also cause an increase in temperature - how can it be treated

lactostasis

Causes of lactostasis causing fever:

Pumping unnecessarily, provoking the accumulation of milk in large volumes that the baby does not need.
Abnormal structure of the nipples (flat and inverted).
Sagging chest.
Irregular application, incorrect feeding regimen (strictly by the hour, not on demand) -.
Chest injury.
Use of tight underwear that compresses the glands.

So that the temperature does not rise and lactostasis does not develop, the baby should be fed at 1.5-2 hourly intervals. Night feedings are especially valuable. With milk stagnation, you can express a little and do a breast massage. If the problem occurs regularly, therapeutic treatment is possible. It consists in taking medications aimed at suppressing hyperlactation.

Mastitis

This is an inflammation of the mammary glands that develops during breastfeeding. Mastitis is considered an unpleasant and common problem during this period -.

There are many risk factors in which mastitis develops and the temperature rises strongly:

nipple injuries;
running lactostasis;
reduced immunity;
non-observance of hygiene rules;
chronic diseases, etc.

The onset of inflammation is due to the entry of streptococcal and staphylococcal bacteria into the glands through wounds and microcracks in the nipples.

Mastitis is divided into:

Serous- with it, mommy's temperature rises to 39 C. She is shivering, feverish, sleepy. The affected chest swells, shines, turns red, hurts.
infiltrative- a seal appears on the chest, the skin turns red over it, the temperature reaches 38C. There is a loss of strength, a headache.
Purulent- characterized by a deterioration in well-being, high fever, weakness, sweating, fever. If you manage to express milk, pus is found in it. The chest hurts a lot, especially when moving, turning, changing positions. If you do not seek the help of doctors, the death and decomposition of mammary gland tissues will begin, accompanied by septic shock.

Serous mastitis is treated with the elimination of lactostasis - they actively apply the child to the chest, decant, massage. The infiltrative type is suppressed by lactation-reducing pills. Physical procedures are used - ultrasound, antibiotic therapy, antihistamines.

Postpartum thrombophlebitis

Pathology in women who have recently given birth develops with:

heavy bleeding;
long difficult childbirth;
the presence of hematomas in tissue injuries;
the need to separate the placenta manually;
early discharge of water;
operations.

Is it possible to continue to feed with a temperature

In this difficult period, much depends on the cause that caused the temperature. Breastfeeding is contraindicated in:

pathologies of the kidneys and genitourinary system;
purulent mastitis;
blood diseases;
tuberculosis;
acute infectious diseases.

In severe ailments, toxic substances, together with milk, easily penetrate into the fragile body of the baby, and harm its health. Doctors advise temporarily expressing and throwing away milk when:

Pneumonia, purulent tonsillitis, sinusitis (if the mother takes antibiotics). At the same time, regardless of the absence or presence of temperature, it is better to put on a gauze bandage, in contact with the baby.
Dysentery, severe intestinal poisoning. If the disease is mild, the baby is given expressed boiled breast milk.

Feeding is completely stopped if prescribed:

analgesics based on narcotic substances;
chemotherapy;
immunosuppressive agents.

How to bring down the temperature while breastfeeding

For colds, it is advised to bring down the temperature when it exceeds 38 C.

Antipyretic drugs allowed while breastfeeding:

ibuprofen;

Before taking even the most harmless medicines, you should consult a doctor. Only he will determine the duration of the course and prescribe the correct dose.

The most effective way is a cold compress on the temples and forehead. You can use ice wrapped in gauze, a cold heating pad, or soak a towel folded in layers in cold water.
Excellent when breastfeeding from the temperature helps vinegar compress. It is diluted 1:2 with water.
Fever relieves warm drink. It can be fruit compotes, cranberry or currant juice. They should be taken carefully in order to avoid allergies in infants.

If you still had to interrupt breastfeeding for a while, but want to return to it, you can still feed your baby with expressed milk. .