By Kenisha B.
In the beginning of my nursing journey, I found a lump in my right breast the size of a golf ball, which turned out to be a benign milk-filled cyst – a galactocele. I hope my story can help encourage another parent facing a similar challenge.
When I found the lump, my first thought was that I had a blocked milk duct or something, except that there was no pain or other signs hinting at a clog. My milk had come in a few weeks before, and it reminded me of how my milk ducts felt when I was engorged in the very beginning. With that in mind, my strategy was to pump before bed. I noticed the lump went down a little. This went on for a couple weeks with no change, no matter how often my baby nursed or how often I pumped.
I went to the doctor and then got a referral to have a mammogram. After imaging, they confirmed it to be a galactocele. A galactocele (also called lacteal cyst or milk cyst) is a retention cyst containing milk or a milky substance that is usually located in the mammary glands. They can occur during or shortly after lactation.
After my initial appointment with mammography, I made a follow-up appointment to get the galactocele aspirated. During the prep for the procedure, the doctor told me that my cyst was the largest she had ever seen! We laughed together, and she began the procedure by numbing the area and draining the cyst. She was able to get out 90 milliliters of milk before my breast tissue wouldn’t let the needle through anymore. The doctor and the assistant were both amazed. I still had more fluid in there but much less than before, and the swelling was immediately gone. It was amazing to feel normal again!
I was told the lump would most likely return and would not completely go away until I was done nursing and my milk fully dried up. Sadly, the cyst was filled up with milk again only two days later. Although that was frustrating, I was never in pain, and I’m thankful for that. I was also told that surgery to permanently remove the cyst is also an option, but that is something that could affect any future nursing and pumping. I am nursing my first child, so until I am done having children, that option is not right for me.
I still have the cyst, even though my daughter weaned four months ago. The cyst is not as big as it was before but still noticeable. My doctor said it should resolve on its own once I’m fully finished with lactating. I am not sure what will happen first – another baby in our family or my milk drying up from nursing my first!
I am grateful that my daughter had no trouble latching and directly nursing since the galactocele is away from my nipple and further to the back of the breast. We nursed for sixteen months until she self-weaned.
When away at work, I would pump for my daughter. It was the most difficult thing for me. Due to the location of the galactocele and the difference in breast tissue, it was complicated to get a good seal for pumping on my right breast. Getting good suction to effectively remove milk and not cause any pain was frustrating. I tried several pump options and found a few that worked well for me after much trial and error.
For other parents reading who may be dealing with a galactocele, I want to encourage you that you can do it! Don’t forget to take care of yourself. We are constantly taking care of others so that our own health isn’t always a priority. If you find a lump or something unusual while nursing, go through your checklist, and if you can’t figure it out at home, be sure to get it checked out. Whether it’s a bad case of mastitis, swollen gland, galactocele, or a different obstacle, you can still figure out how to have a successful breastfeeding journey.
We welcome and encourage you to share your experiences with us. Please send your questions and/or story submissions to Kylie at [email protected].
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Last Updated: January 21, 2025 by Yael Breimer
Kenisha’s Journey: Nursing With a Galactocele
By Kenisha B.
In the beginning of my nursing journey, I found a lump in my right breast the size of a golf ball, which turned out to be a benign milk-filled cyst – a galactocele. I hope my story can help encourage another parent facing a similar challenge.
I went to the doctor and then got a referral to have a mammogram. After imaging, they confirmed it to be a galactocele. A galactocele (also called lacteal cyst or milk cyst) is a retention cyst containing milk or a milky substance that is usually located in the mammary glands. They can occur during or shortly after lactation.
After my initial appointment with mammography, I made a follow-up appointment to get the galactocele aspirated. During the prep for the procedure, the doctor told me that my cyst was the largest she had ever seen! We laughed together, and she began the procedure by numbing the area and draining the cyst. She was able to get out 90 milliliters of milk before my breast tissue wouldn’t let the needle through anymore. The doctor and the assistant were both amazed. I still had more fluid in there but much less than before, and the swelling was immediately gone. It was amazing to feel normal again!
I was told the lump would most likely return and would not completely go away until I was done nursing and my milk fully dried up. Sadly, the cyst was filled up with milk again only two days later. Although that was frustrating, I was never in pain, and I’m thankful for that. I was also told that surgery to permanently remove the cyst is also an option, but that is something that could affect any future nursing and pumping. I am nursing my first child, so until I am done having children, that option is not right for me.
I still have the cyst, even though my daughter weaned four months ago. The cyst is not as big as it was before but still noticeable. My doctor said it should resolve on its own once I’m fully finished with lactating. I am not sure what will happen first – another baby in our family or my milk drying up from nursing my first!
I am grateful that my daughter had no trouble latching and directly nursing since the galactocele is away from my nipple and further to the back of the breast. We nursed for sixteen months until she self-weaned.
When away at work, I would pump for my daughter. It was the most difficult thing for me. Due to the location of the galactocele and the difference in breast tissue, it was complicated to get a good seal for pumping on my right breast. Getting good suction to effectively remove milk and not cause any pain was frustrating. I tried several pump options and found a few that worked well for me after much trial and error.
For other parents reading who may be dealing with a galactocele, I want to encourage you that you can do it! Don’t forget to take care of yourself. We are constantly taking care of others so that our own health isn’t always a priority. If you find a lump or something unusual while nursing, go through your checklist, and if you can’t figure it out at home, be sure to get it checked out. Whether it’s a bad case of mastitis, swollen gland, galactocele, or a different obstacle, you can still figure out how to have a successful breastfeeding journey.
We welcome and encourage you to share your experiences with us. Please send your questions and/or story submissions to Kylie at [email protected].
Need some resources for the topic?
Supporting Breastfeeding Families–Today, Tomorrow, Always
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