QUESTION: I have a raised red bump on my left breast right where my areola begins. At first I thought it was a pimple because it didn't hurt, but it feels like a mass all around and is red. I've had a clogged duct before and this is not it- my baby's pediatrician says she thinks it's a galactocele. Do I have that, what is it, and how do I treat it?

Thanks!

One of the big problems we have, in answering questions by e-mail or by telephone, is the fear that the original question may not be the real problem. In other words, a mom calls me and asks what to do about a baby that has a metabolic problem and is unable to gain weight - but when I saw him, his problem was tongue-tie - and after surgery, all weight problems and inability to nurse and gain weight ended!!!

So, now, you ask what to do for a galactocele. First of all, galactoceles are "milk-filled cysts in the lactating breasts". According to Auerbach and Riordan in their book Breastfeeding and Human Lactation, they are uncommon. I have been in breastfeeding for 25 years and have never seen one (though for sure now that you have brought it up I'll probably see three next week!)

However, IF your doctor is right, then the problem is that there is no determined treatment. Usually it is "tender and will atrophy - go away - rather rapidly and disappear in a matter of days." I would treat it like a plugged duct, heat, gentle massage towards the nipple when baby is nursing and if possible place your baby (though at 5 months it's not so easy to get them to cooperate) to nurse with the chin in the direction of the swelling, thereby using their tongue to massage and hopefully open the plug. Sometimes galactoceles can become infections, and need antibiotic treatment, so if you develop a fever, or feel as if you were getting the flu, I would ask your doctor for some antibiotic used to treat mastitis.

Jeanette Panchula, BA, RN, IBCLC
Vacaville, CA

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