Clogged duct

ruby soho · January 2012

I have a clogged duct in my right breast and none of the remedies I've tried ( warm compresses, breast compressions, extra fluid intake, etc) are working. It's affecting my supply as well.. I normally get 4-6 oz and now I'm barely getting 1oz. I'm trying to pump as much as possible in hopes of releasing it and still nothing. Any other suggestions?

masked_rose86 · January 2012

I'm afraid I don't have any further suggestions of self remidies since I'm not yet experienced myself, but do you have a lactation consultant that you could call? I'm not sure if they might have some more suggestions for you.

Hope it gets better soon!

smilelari · January 2012

The best way is to nurse (and massage while nursing). Massaging in the shower seems to help too!

I've had a few too. Hope you get it cleared soon!

maddie80 · January 2012

The only way I could ever clear really stubborn ones was to immerse the area in hot water - either in a bath, or in a basin and massage the area with the clog. I'd make it as hot as you can stand. Then, nurse directly after that when everything is a little warm and loosened up. That really helps move it on out.

ruby soho · January 2012

I'm not nursing, just pumping. So I don't know if that is what is holding up the process since I know nursing is more effective milk removal

smilelari · January 2012

I think I'd go with something along the lines of what maddie just said. Take a shower and massage while showering. Or immerse in hot water and massage. Then, pump immediately after

DownToEarthGirl · January 2012

If you're not nursing, I agree with the hot shower/bath and massage until you're almost crying. It sucks and that would usually help me, but like L said, nursing right after always seemed to keep it open/flowing. Maybe try the hot shower on your clogged duct with aggressive massaging across the clogged area to the nipple, then pump right after and for as long as you can handle.

I hope it clears up soon and if you start to feel any fever, call your midwive/OB b/c it could develop into mastitis.

tra_la_la · January 2012

ruby soho:
I'm not nursing, just pumping. So I don't know if that is what is holding up the process since I know nursing is more effective milk removal

I got one when I decided to start EPing as well. I had to put hot water in a (clean) disposable diaper and heat it up in the microwave. Then I placed it in my nursing bra for about half and hour and had DH do the the compressions. We repeated this about 4 times in a row and it finally cleared. It took some pretty deep/hard compressions but it felt much better afterward.

I know you said you already tried the above but maybe a new technique?

Kmac-06 · January 2012

The only other thing I would add to the advice here is to pump leaning forward or on hands and knees (while massaging towards the nipple) so gravity can help move the clog out.

Once it clears, make sure you are not wearing underwire or anything too constricting because I think you are more prone to them once you get one. At least I was. GL!

schoolsoutbride · January 2012

smilelari:
I think I'd go with something along the lines of what maddie just said. Take a shower and massage while showering. Or immerse in hot water and massage. Then, pump immediately after

Ditto. And in the tub, I'd lean over into hot water and try to express some then.

All my other solutions involve using the baby, so I'm not sure to do it with the pump.

See if you can get some lechtin at the health food store. It makes the milk more "slippery" so that it doesn't clog. I've been taking it daily since I got the first one (multiples make you prone)

Mrs.Greeko · January 2012

Take lecithin, one pill a day. It helps lube things up in there. Also, do a hot castor oil compress. Take a washcloth, soak in castor oil, heat it in the microwave, apply to clogged duct and wrap it in Saran wrap. Sounds weird, but it works!! Also watch for mastitis (fever). If you develop a fever call your OB/midwife to get antibiotics. Mastitis comes on fast and hard and royally sucks. Every time I get a clog it turns into mastitis within 24 hours.

RyanandManda · January 2012

When I had Mastitis, my OB told me to have a glass of wine while I was sitting in the steaming hot tub, massaging the heck out of it ; )

Also, what everyone else said about underwires, leaning forward, hot compresses, and lecithin.

erin48 · January 2012

Ooohhh I feel your pain, I have gotten so many. I had one on each side a week ago and couldn't get them to budge. Unfortunately I just kept doing almost everything that has been suggested, and they finally broke up, it just took time. I have noticed that when I wear a really warm sweater that makes my breast really warm, it helps soften them up, and the milk flows better. I also think the lecithin has helped a lot. Since getting this round out I haven been pumping crazy numbers, I pumped 10 oz in one pump this morning!

pke16 · January 2012

I would also recommend ibuprofen before starting the "aggressive massage" (seriously, as aggressive as you can take it). Take the edge off and help with the swelling. I get them when I try to go back to my underwire bras and feel like a more normal person. And when I don't pump often enough (which happens very frequently at work).

Clogged duct

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