Can I breastfeed my baby if I have a breast cyst?

Breast cysts usually do not affect breastfeeding babies. The specific situation depends on the size, location and presence of other abnormalities of the cyst. Breastfeeding is the natural way for babies to obtain nutrition, and most breast cysts do not interfere with this process.

Breast cysts are small fluid-filled sacs in breast tissue, which can be understood as "a water bag hidden in the breast". It is usually benign and asymptomatic, but sometimes it may cause local swelling or discomfort. Breast cysts during lactation may be accompanied by breast tissue hyperplasia and need to be distinguished from other problems such as mastitis.

If the cyst is small and does not interfere with the normal patency of the mammary duct, it will not usually affect milk secretion or cause harm to the baby. However, when the cyst is too large and compresses the mammary duct, or if the cyst is accompanied by infection or inflammation, it may cause poor milk secretion or local pain, aggravating feeding difficulties. In these cases, the characteristics of the cyst need to be evaluated, and if necessary, a doctor should be consulted for a clear diagnosis and treatment.

It is recommended that breastfeeding women regularly check their breast health to see if they experience breast pain, enlarged lumps, or redness and swelling. If the cyst is painless or obviously abnormal, you can feed your baby normally; if you find that the cyst is gradually getting bigger, or you have a fever or persistent pain, you should seek medical attention in time to rule out infection and other problems to avoid affecting breastfeeding.