Clogged Milk Duct

B.,

I feel your pain. My lactation consultant recommended the hot packs, nursing frequently, and turning the baby's chin towards the clog.

I would hesitate on the cabbage, for fear of drying up your supply, but I agree - if you end up with any kind of fever, call your doctor immediately.

Best wishes!
M.

I think you're doing all the right things. It may take a day or so to correct itself. Just be on the lookout for signs of infection/mastitis (i.e. red or streaked breast, fever, etc.). I had this several times as well and standing in a warm shower and massaging the breast (expressing some by hand) helped also. Definitely keep nursing. You may want to nurse on that side first for a little while to make sure you're emptying it completely. If you can manage it, massaging the breast WHILE nursing can help as well. It can help to push some of the milk out after your letdown has occurred. If you feel like it's gotten very painful or your breast becomes red or streaked or if you run a fever, call the doctor...you'll need antibiotics to help with the infection.

Hi B.,
I had the exact same symptoms that you do now when my baby #4 was three weeks old. My OB told me that it was a clogged duct and to nurse, nurse, nurse. She also prescribed an antibiotic. Unfortunately, the bug was resistant. Within three days I became septic and had to be hospitalized. It was MRSA. Probably picked it up from the hospital but it is a community aquired infection now. I wound up having to have emergency surgery....It was horrible.
You will likely receive lots of advice about cabbage leaves (wives tales) and pointing the baby's nose toward the lump when you nurse, etc. Just PLEASE call your doctor and if you develop a fever, see a doctor ASAP.

Hope you are feeling better soon,
D.

I used to get clogged ducts at least twice per week. It was terrible, and I tried the same things you did. What finally helped me was to change vitamins....I was told by a lactation consultant and R.N. that lecithin helps...so I started taking Perfect Prenatal vitamins by New Chapter Organics and I immediately stopped having problems. They are a little expensive but I'm glad to pay more in order to avoid those painful clogs. They are sold at Whole Foods, and they go on sale pretty often. Hope that helps!

Hi B.,

This happened to me all the time with my 2nd and 3rd daughters, and I just wanted to tell you that what others have already said--applying cabbage leaves to the spot--sounds crazy but it really works! It was such a relief to find something that dissolved the clog in less than a day. As Liza already said, be careful not to apply for too long as it really can dry you up, but I would place the cabbage leave over the area of the clogged duct and massage lightly while baby was nursing, and it usually cleared in one or two nursing sessions. Best of luck to you!

Hi B. :)

I was constantly getting clogged milk ducts when nursing my daughter. Once I got one cleared up--I got a few days relief before yet another one would form. They were extremely painful and I was always on the verge of getting mastitis. The only thing that gave me any relief at that time was putting cabbage leaves inside my bra, hot baths and positioning my daughter so that bottom of her mouth (chin side) "faced" the clogged duct. This took some tricky positioning sometimes--like placing on a bed and leaning over her etc.
One day tho--I went to visit my chiropractor, who is a wise sort of fellow and went I mentioned my duct problems he got kinda thoughtful and said..."I wonder..." He then told me about a vitamin supplement that he thought might help me (colostrum tablets). They are basically bovine or cow colostrum and they're suppose to be excellent for the immune system. He gave me a bottle of it and I started taking them. The very bad one that I had at the time, which was starting to turn my whole breast red--was completely gone the next morning! I never got another one again! If I felt one forming, I would take 3-4 tablets immediately--then another 3-4 later that day and it was always gone the next morning :)
If you decide to try it out (they're available online as well as at health food stores)I would recommend the organic version (healthier for you and baby). Then you can either take a small amount daily as a preventative or wait til you feel one forming--then take 2 sets of 3-4 tablets and maybe another set the next morning.

Good luck! :)

This might sound crazy, but it works ( I breast fed two and this worked every time I was engorged or got a clogged duct)...first take a cabbage leaf and put it on your breast for about 15 minutes over the clog-- don't do it for longer (like a half hour or an hour) or it could dry up your milk. Then lay the baby on the bed, go on all fours above the baby, and nurse in that position.

OMG, I unfortunately know exactly what that feels like! Warm cloths NEVER did the trick for me, but this is what did. I filled my tub up with hot water (I like hot baths, but make it as hot as you are comfortable with), now this sounds funny, but lock the door (LOL) & get on all fours. Just let those teets hang down in the hot water for a couple of minutes, then with them still in the water, start massaging from the armpit out. You will actually see your milk stream lining into the tub water - kinda trippy. But this is what really helped me out. I hope it helps you too!
Good luck & God Bless!
H. B

I struggled with plugged ducts with my two boys until I started taking lecithin (1000 mg; available in vitamin section at most grocery stores and drug stores). It cleared up my plugged duct and prevented me from getting anymore. It was wonderful! This was recommended in one of my nursing books (maybe the Dr. Sear's book?). It's definitely worth a try. Lecithin is just a phospholipid that your body uses to make cell membranes. Email me if you have more questions.

Hi B.,
I have had a couple of clogged ducts before and remember what your going through. What always seemed to work for me is to take a hot shower and get the smooth part of a comb and comb through the clogged part of the breast. (like a rolling pin over dough) Keep doing the massaging until you feel the lump get smaller or break up. You will also know it has worked because you might get a lot of let down from the clogged duct too.
Good luck.:)

p.s. I read some of the responses below and just make sure that if you do the cabbage leaf remedy below to not do it too often. It can cause your milk production to stop.

I came here to respond, and read Valerie B's response...well, that's JUST what I was going to say! Massage while you nurse and offer that side first to get it out. It will take a while. When my son was new I had a clogged duct and it took a full day, night, and into the next morning of constant heat and massage and nursing to get that thing out! And to repeat Valerie B again, watch for signs of infection (fever) to make sure it doesn't get worse.

i agree with valerie--keep nursing on that side, maybe longer to be sure it is empty. massage and heat should do the trick but remember that it didn't get clogged overnight and it won't clear up overnight. you should see some results within a couple of days. it sounds like you are doing all the right things. and remember that if you see any signs of redness or streaking, or if you develop flu-like symptoms you may have mastitis and will need to be seen by your midwife or doctor. one thing you can try to actually keep the infection away is to take garlic tablets twice a day. garlic is a natural antibiotic and is very useful! good luck--

Hi, I had this happen to me too. I too continued to breast feed to, even though it hurt a little. Taking warm-hot showers while messaging & squeezing on the duct area (as much as you can tolerate it) It does go away fast usually! Good luck, Jules :)

Hi,
Here's a weird natural remedy that works for mastitis. If you have a clogged duct you may develop an infection, and you want to treat that early and quickly without antibiotics.
Put cabbage leaves in your bra next to your skin. You'll know when to take them out.
Cabbage has an enzyme which when the leaves are warmed will be beneficial in fighting any infection.
I'd use the cabbage leaves straight away, they may also help unclog ducts. Keep feeding, maybe try pumping as well.
Good luck!