A lump in the breast alarms most women under normal circumstances. Breastfeeding mothers have added cause for concern, as they may wonder how a lump could affect their babies. In most cases, however, a lump in a lactating breast is not too serious and will not jeopardize the breastfeeding relationship. Nevertheless, a woman with a breast lump should call her doctor or midwife immediately.
Plugged Duct
While no less painful, a plugged duct is the most benign form of breast lump. A breastfeeding mother usually feels a plugged duct develop over a period of several days, and it affects only one breast. Fevers do not accompany plugged ducts. The breastfeeding resource Kellymom.com underlines the importance of continuing to nurse so that the plugged duct may resolve itself before escalating into a more serious condition such as mastitis. Warm compresses, massage and rest also help heal the mother.
Mastitis
Mastitis begins with an unresolved plugged duct. High fever and flu-like symptoms develop as the mother's breast turns red with fork-like streaks. Mastitis is a serious condition that usually necessitates antibiotic treatment. As with a plugged duct, a mother should continue to nurse through the infection. Not only does nursing help unclog the duct, it ensures the baby receives important antibodies to the infection.
Breast Abscess
La Leche League International warns mothers with mastitis that their infections could escalate still further into a breast abscess if they do not continue to breastfeed throughout the illness. While a breast abscess may start as a pea-sized lump, it usually swells--sometimes to the size of a lime. A breast abscess almost always requires surgery, though a mother can continue to nurse through an abscess if the incision is away from the nipple.
Galactoceles
Galactoceles are small cysts filled with milk. Relatively harmless though uncomfortable, La Leche League International says galactoceles may either be drained or left alone. A mother can continue to nurse if she has a galactocele, especially since they tend to occur away from the nipple.
Breast Cancer
The American Cancer Society recommends that all women age 40 and older have a yearly mammogram. As more women have babies in their late 30s and early 40s, their first thought when they feel a lump in the breast might be breast cancer, particularly if they have a family history of the disease. A mother may breastfeed her child as soon as she wants to after a biopsy of the lump. If the biopsy report indicates cancer, she will have to wean during chemotherapy treatments, according to La Leche League International, but a finding of breast cancer only occurs about 20 percent of the time.
