i think i have a clogged duct in my left breast. i breastfeed exclusively. i just noticed it this morning. i took a hot shower and massaged. it is tender in one spot and hard. the other side is fine. what can i do to help fix this??
Hi K.-
i am a mom of 2 and i have breastfed both! still nursing my almost 10 month old. but when i get a clogged milk duct the fastest way to unclog it is, now dont laugh it really works! lay your baby down on the back and you hover over him/her on all fours and nurse. it helps unplug the duct instantly! i figured this one out myself! good luck! and congrats on nursing!! i feel its the ONLY thing to feed a baby!
Nurse as much as possible on that side, change nursing positions. Usually if the baby's chin faces the plug it helps get it out. Massage and a hot shower is great, but nurse after that. You can also submerge your breast in a bowl of warm water or bath and before nursing.
Get lots of rest. If the baby doesn't want to nurse and it's been 2 hours pump or hand express a little. Drink lots of water.
Hope that helps.
Ouch. I remember having clogged milk ducts shortly after I had my son. The things I found that helped were:
1) Hot showers
2) Hot (as hot as I could stand) compresses applied to the breast
3) Pumping. It helped me to turn the pump in different directions to kind-of cause the suction to work on the duct that was a problem
4) Taking ibuprofen. I guess it is supposed to help with the inflammation.
I also had a clogged duct. A lactation consultant told me to:
1-use a warm compress for about 10 minute while you massage the breast.
2 - breastfeed your child on that breast or pump
3 - use a cold compress for 10 minutes
Repeat this several times per day until clogged duct goes away. It took about 2 days and mine was better.
