Blocked or Clogged Milk Duct

Updated on September 21, 2010
3.B. asks from Tampa, FL
12 answers

I have been strictly nursing my baby who is a week old, and I think I have a blocked milk duct in my armpit. I noticed it in the shower, it's a fairly good sized lump in the lowest part under my arm by the breast. It doesnt hurt, unless I push on it. I have been putting hot comkpresses on it, and "massaging" it. i noticed it a few days ago, and it doesnt seem to be getting any better, Do I need to call my OB or will it eventually go away? I dont want it to get worse!! And I also dont want it to interefere with nursing.

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.F.

answers from Columbus on

It could be a clogged duct. Call the Elizabeth Blackwell Center. Their lactation consultants are out of this world! I think the number is ###-###-####. There is a possibility it could be from hormones if I recall correctly. It has been a while, but I think I remember my OB telling me that.

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.M.

answers from Fort Wayne on

I also have a one week old and a blocked milk duct. Darn engorgement anyway! I use heat and massage on it as well. It is getting smaller... finally! Mine was getting pretty painful and of course on top so I practically had the baby standing on her head trying to nurse to get it drained. (Funny and sad all at the same time). Wish I had better advice, but know that you aren't the only one going through this!

Congratulations on your new addition, this was #3 for us.

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.P.

answers from New York on

Call your OB or lactation consultant and get a second opinion on this one- I waited too long and ended up with mastitis which was painful and very scary. The doctor had told me that nursing frequently with a hot compress/heating pad was the best route. I literally nursed my son and then an hour later hooked up to the pump! It did eventually loosen, but you have to keep up with it and keep the fluid moving!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.H.

answers from Evansville on

I had 2 clogged milk ducts (just recently) with my newest baby. The first was early on, baby was maybe a month old. I let her nurse one evening while I watched tv for a couple of hours. I had tried everything and was afraid of infection. I nursed in different positions, I pumped, hot compress, ice packs, massaging... The only thing that worked was letting her nurse for as long as she wanted to. I was a human pacifier, basically! The second clogged duct, she wasn't interested in nursing for long periods of time. She got annoyed when I massaged while breastfeeding. It was frustrating. One morning I woke up with a fever, my lump was bright red, and that is a sign of infection. I had to get antibiotics, still could breastfeed, and it went away. If you ignore an infection it can cause major problems that require surgery, so if it doesn't get better, call your OB. It doesn't require an office visit, they should just call the antibiotic in to the pharmacy. Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.B.

answers from Pittsburgh on

I have one right now also. I agree with massaging it a lot. I also encourage my baby to nurse on it as much as she will no matter how long it is and if she isn't nursing enough to help me out I will pump it. I also pump the other side to keep it from getting too full while she is just nursing on the one side. I can feel it when she is draining the clogged area because it hurts and stings...and that's good cause it is helping out. This is my second baby and I also had a lot of this with my first. I know that for my body if I don't drain the clogged breast frequently untill the problem is resolved it will turn into mastitis which is like having a bad flu for me. And if that happens you do need to call your dr. asap. Good luck!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.P.

answers from Indianapolis on

Keep doing what you are doing and it should go away....if it becomes inflamed or sore, then I would get in touch with a lactation specialist.
Your hops.should be able to refer you to one.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.C.

answers from Fort Wayne on

Massage, massage, massage! When I had clogged ducts, I really had to massage them..HARD. One time I was in the shower whimpering because it hurt so bad. I've also had to bite on a pillow while my husband massaged it. It hurts, but it's relatively short lived :) Massage while the baby is nursing. You might also want to pump after your baby finishes nursing. Most of the time a clogged ducts is cause because the breasts aren't getting fully emptied. That's totally and completely normal since your baby is still so little. Neither of my girls were able to completely empty my breasts until they were about 6 months old. It's true that the more you pump, the more milk you will make, but it's often the only want to relieve a clogged duct. It's sort of a catch 22.
What type of bra are you wearing? If you dont' have a nursing bra, I would suggest getting a good one. Also, avoid underwires for a few weeks. My underwire hit me right under the armpit and that's where the majority of my clogged ducts were.
If you start having flu like symptoms or the area is hot to the touch (feverish) call your doctor. It could be mastitis and that needs medical attention.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.D.

answers from Indianapolis on

Are you wearing a nursing bra with an underwire? They are known to cause clogs, so if you are, stop. Otherwise, unless it feels hot to the touch or you start to get flu-like symptoms, don't worry too much. Massage from behind the clog toward the nipple while your daughter is nursing on that side. Go braless whenever you're home for a while, as your breasts are engorged at the beginning a bra can put pressure on the ducts and create clogs.
It shouldn't interfere with nursing:)

E.A.

answers from Erie on

In addition to the other suggestions there are nursing positions that help. First, always point the baby's chin toward the blocked duct, this allows for maximum suction exactly where you need it. Second, lay the baby down on the floor, with his head supported on both sides and elevated slightly, allow your breast to dangle down (you'll probably need to get on all fours) and let him nurse like that, gravity helps pull the blockage out this way. It may take some time to get used to this, but it really will help it unplug.

Other than that, massage, and keep heat on it all the time. They sell these:
Extra small hand warmers, http://tinyurl.com/2faaozf
which I used to place in my bra, they last up to 8 hours and won't get too hot.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.C.

answers from Washington DC on

The only way it will go away is to massage the area not just in the shower, but also while your baby is nursing. Call your OB only if you start to feel feverish, get the chills or if you have a red line that extends from you nipple to your armpit. Hot compresses are good and hot showers, but massage while nursing.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.R.

answers from Toledo on

I would definitely check with your dr., but this is a very common thing. It has happened to me and many other breastfeeding moms I know. Keep an eye on it.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.D.

answers from Cincinnati on

As everyone else said: massage, heat compress, position chin or nose at the clogged duct - and to help prevent in the future start taking soy lecithin. It's OTC - need 1200 mg - Drs. recommend patients with heart problems to take it. After I had several clogged ducts the lactation consultant told me to take it and I never had another. Good luck and enjoy!

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions