Clogged Duct

palmeram

I'm not really sure that I have a clogged duct or something else going on, but I have a tender spot in my breast. No fever, no redness, but it is sore. I'm pretty sure my DS is not getting complete feeds because I still feel really full afterwards. Are they supposed to completely empty the breast at each feed and do incomplete feeds contribute to clogged ducts? What should I do? TIA!

altreu

When O does not empty my breast at each feeding, I manually express as much milk as I can, until there are no more harder areas left.  I think you could also pump for a while after, too.  What has worked for me is to feed on one breast at a time.  I will burp him halfway through and switch the hold so it seems like I've switched him, but in reality he's on the same breast as before.

EllePost

altreu:

When O does not empty my breast at each feeding, I manually express as much milk as I can, until there are no more harder areas left.  I think you could also pump for a while after, too.  What has worked for me is to feed on one breast at a time.  I will burp him halfway through and switch the hold so it seems like I've switched him, but in reality he's on the same breast as before.

Do this, you do NOT want Mastitis! I had to call the on call Dr yesterday because I developed this and it started two days ago as just a sore harder spot on my left breast, then yesterday in a matter of an hour in a half I came down with a 102.7 degree temp, violent shivering and felt bruised all over. I felt absolutely awful and it came out of nowhere. Try a warm towel or compress on the breast before you feed, that will help LO get more out more easily, and like prior post said try to express or pump the rest out after if LO isn't getting it all. I hope you can avoid the infection/clog!  

gwennec

I just had this last week. It took 2 full days to go away. I used heating pads on the breast and hot showers in between feedings. As well as a ton of pressure massage, before during and after feedings. Start at the top of the hardened area and massage down towards the nipple. Also a ton of feedings, every 1-2 hours starting on the bad side first each time and pumping afterwards. That should do the trick. Good luck!