clogged milk ducts

April - posted on 11/08/2009

i nursed my son as often as he would allow it (he won't do every 2 hours) and took warm showers/used a hot compress. but for me...it took a little over a week to go away, so i don't know if there is something out there that's better

Mellissa - posted on 11/07/2009

i took galic oil pills and vitamin c every our and by that night it was gone.hope that helps i know its painful i had it alot with both mine.it could also be not drinking enough water.

Kathy - posted on 11/06/2009

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mom/...
General

* Nurse frequently & empty the breasts thoroughly.
Aim for nursing at least every 2 hrs. Keep the affected breast as empty as possible, but don’t neglect the other breast.
* When unable to breastfeed, mom should express milk frequently and thoroughly (with a breast pump or by hand).


Before nursing

* Use heat & gentle massage before nursing
- Warm compress. Try using a disposable diaper: fill the diaper with hot water (try the temperature on your wrist first to avoid burns), squeeze the diaper out a bit, then put the inside of the diaper toward the breast. This will stay warm much longer than a wet cloth.
- Basin soak. Fill sink or bowl with hot water and submerge breast in water while massaging the plugged area toward the nipple. Some report better results when epsom salts are added to the water -- add a handful of epsom salts per 2 quarts (2 liters) of water. Rinse with fresh water before nursing, as baby may object to the taste.
- Hot Shower. It can be helpful to massage in the shower with a large-toothed comb. The comb should be drawn through a bar of soap until it is very soapy and then used to gently massage over the affected area in the direction of the nipple.
* Loosen bra & any constrictive clothing to aid milk flow.


While nursing

* Nurse on the affected breast first; if it hurts too much to do this, switch to the affected breast directly after let-down.
* Ensure good positioning & latch. Use whatever positioning is most comfortable and/or allows the plugged area to be massaged.
Note: Advice to point baby's chin (or nose) toward the plugged area is not necessarily going to be helpful as it is based on the idea that the milk ducts take a nice, direct route to the nipple - recent research tells us that this is not true, and that a particular duct might begin in one area of the breast but can "wander" in many different directions before terminating in any area of the nipple.
* Use breast compressions.
* Massage gently but firmly from the plugged area toward the nipple.
* Try nursing while leaning over baby (sometimes called "dangle feeding") so that gravity aids in dislodging the plug.


After nursing

* Pump or hand express after nursing to aid milk drainage and speed healing.
* Use cold compresses between feedings for pain & inflammation.

Erin - posted on 11/06/2009

I believe that if the area is warm to the touch and red, it could be infected and you should talk to your dr. What i've always done is massage the duct, put a warm compress on it, take a warm shower and massage the area also massage the duct while feeding your baby. It usually subside within 2 days when i do that.

Tiffanie - posted on 11/06/2009

massage your breast as your baby is nursing and take warm showers and massage your breast under the water. Give it a few days. It should be gone within a weak or so. To prevent them switch positions ever time you nurse.

Michelle - posted on 11/06/2009

massage it if that doens't work eventually baby will unclog it my son would hit the spot till it was unclogged