Blebs and Breastfeeding: What are they?

A nipple bleb or blocked nipple pore is a very painful white, yellow dot that is either on the nipple or on the areola. To put it in simple words it’s basically milk under the skin, it occurs when a tiny little skin overgrows a milk duct opening. The reason for these milk blebs is said to be breast milk, when the milk becomes thick and hard it starts to form these milk cysts or lumps. This leads to the accumulation of milk behind the breasts which halts the flow of milk near the nipple. The overgrown skin obstructs the healing process making it a prolonged and painful thing to endure.

A milk bleb looks smooth, shiny and appears as a single dot on the areola. Mothers can feel an inflaming and piercing pain initiating from the spot that goes behind the area as well. These milk blisters are stubborn and persistent, remaining on the breasts for several days or even weeks. They also go almost instantaneously when the skin peels away from the strained area. It’s often said that this milk bleb happens due to a clogged milk duct but it can also cause plugged ducts, a hen and an egg kind of situation. Mothers can have breast milk supplements to boost the supply and build pressure on the bleb to disappear itself.

If the bleb is not painful then you can leave it alone and it will go away itself, but if it does cause pain then breastfeed exclusively so that the situation doesn’t worsen by clogged milk ducts, breast engorgement and other associated problems. If your supply is low then increase milk supply with breast milk supplements but try to breastfeed on demand to dislodge the blister. Some mothers confuse it with nipple blisters but nipple bleb and blister are not the same. The former occurs due to irritation caused by pumping, improper latch of the baby, badly fitted flanges or from the friction of the baby’s mouth.

Causes of Milk Blebs  

The main reason which leads to a nipple bleb is milk trapped in a milk duct that has no outlet and is further sealed by an epidermis which in turn provokes an inflammatory response. The reason for blocked ducts can be very simple like oversupply of milk. If a mother is producing more milk than the baby can drain from the breast than milk starts to build up, resulting in clogged ducts. Tight fitted, underwire or wrong sized bras can also irritate the breasts causing a scratching urge, aiding the blister formation. Poor latch of the baby, where the pressure is not the wrong part of the breast and the milk is also not getting emptied properly, ends up in milk blebs.

Treatment   

The best treatment of these nasty blisters is to nurse on demand with proper technique. As the milk ducts are blocked, only the draining of the milk can solve the problem. Keep the breast area clean, wear bras that are easy on breasts and put no pressure on the breasts. Usually the bleb will go away on its own within 48-72 hours but if it’s still there drink fluids and pump the milk if necessary.

Final Thoughts

Usually these blisters aren’t very serious, but they sure can be painful. The piercing pain can lead to some prompt decisions like not nursing or weaning of the baby. But I will ask you to be patient, it’s just a small hiccup in your motherhood journey, be strong.