BREAST ABSCESS Some women develop a breast abscess while breastfeeding, called a lactational breast abscess. An abscess is a collection of infected fluid within the breast tissue. The aim of treatment is to cure the abscess quickly and effectively, ensuring maximum benefit to the mother with minimal interruption of breastfeeding. It is relatively common for a lactating mother to develop a breast abscess as a complication of mastitis. CLINICAL FEATURES Nursing mothers are most vulnerable to breast abscess at two stages: During the first month of lactation following the first pregnancy when due to inexperience and inadequate hygiene, the nipples are more likely to be damaged. During the first month after delivery, 85 % of lactational breast abscesses occur. The signs and symptoms of breast abscesses are the following: Well-defined fluctuant lump in the affected breast Pain in the affected breast Redness, swelling, and tenderness in an area of the breast Fever and malaise Enlarged axillary lymph nodes TREATMENT General measures are listed as follows: Analgesics Breast support Breast emptying and continuation of breastfeeding Antistaphylococcal antibiotics SPECIFIC MEASURED Aspiration of pus Ultrasonography (USG) guided Needle aspiration Incision and drainage( under local or general anesthesia). YOU CAN CONTINUE to breastfeed with an abscess. It will not harm your baby. If it is painfull to breastfeed from the affected side expell the milk with the help of a breast pump. To continue-------