What do any of you know about management of mother with a galactocoele
(milk retention cyst)?

A fellow NMAA Counsellor has spoken with a mum, 7 weeks pp, with 3rd baby.
1st baby breastfed only 6 weeks, but no history of galactocoele then. 2nd
baby not breastfed. (I wondered if this is when damage to duct occurred,
when drying up, and possibly temporarily engorged, soon after birth.) Mum
has been having cyst drained about once a week as it is painful, but
doesn't want to keep doing this for obvious reasons. She has not had
mastitis, just a sore area in the breast.

The Counsellor gave her all the usual stuff for blocked ducts in general,
which had not been given by any of the health professionals she had seen
(child health nurse and doctors), so she will try these. She may also now
have some bruising as well as the child health nurse told her to massage
the area and "not to be gentle". [sigh]   We guessed that, at worst, she
would need to dry up that breast and feed on one side only.

I have only a few references about galactocoeles, including the case report
in JHL in Sept 1993 edition, but none really give any practical management
suggestions. Are there any that we could use to help this mum? I believe
Lawrence mentions something about them in her book, but I don't have this
on hand.

TIA

Joy Anderson IBCLC, NMAA Breastfeeding Counsellor
Perth, Western Australia
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