Milk bleb

A milk bleb — also called a milk blister or blocked nipple pore — is a small, discrete spot on the nipple tip that appears white, yellow, or pale pink. The Breastfeeding Network describes it as most painful "at the end of or after a feed". La Leche League GB notes that milk blebs may present as "tiny white or yellow dots on the tip of the nipple" and can cause no trouble or be very painful, often described as a stinging sensation. They may also block milk flow from that area of the breast.

What causes a milk bleb?

The Breastfeeding Network explains that blebs "are thought to be a surface presentation of underlying inflammation" and may also be caused by pressure or rubbing during feeding. They represent a thin layer of skin that has grown over a milk duct opening, trapping milk behind it. Because they are linked to underlying inflammation, addressing factors that contribute to breast inflammation — such as attachment and positioning — is considered an important part of management.

How is a milk bleb managed?

The Breastfeeding Network advises that continuing to breastfeed may help a bleb to clear spontaneously, and recommends warm or cool compresses after feeding and standard pain relief. Getting support with positioning and attachment is also recommended, as underlying inflammation is a contributing factor. If a bleb does not clear, a healthcare professional may be able to prescribe a steroid cream. The Breastfeeding Network cautions that individuals should not attempt to de-roof a bleb themselves with a needle or by picking or squeezing, as this could worsen the condition or allow infection to enter.