clogged duct - will I know when it becomes unclogged?

Pretzel80

This may sound like a dumb question but I think I have a clogged duct.  I'm doing everything I've read on kellymom to help it (warm compress before nursing, massage, nursing or pumping often) but I'm wondering how/when I will know if it becomes unclogged?  Is it an instantaneous relief (decrease in pain) or does the soreness gradually go away?  

Any thoughts or suggestions are much appreciated...I'm a FTM and LO is only 3 weeks old so I don't have much experience with this!! 

somebirdseatseeds

Yes, you will definitely know. The best piece of advice I was given when I started getting them is to point your LOs chin toward the clog because that is where the strongest suction is and to use gravity to help by laying her on her back and getting on all fours to feed her.

I work and had a clog one morning and didn't realize it until I left. I thought DD just wasn't that hungry that morning and that's why I didn't feel empty. I got to work and was so sore. I tried pumping but it didn't help. The clog was in the top part of my breast so when I got home (after a really long 9 hours or so), I laid DD down on the bed feet facing toward the headboard and I leaned over her with my head towards the headboard so her chin pointed toward the clog. It really hurt at first but the pain decreased dramatically when she unclogged it.

GL and if you have problems with recurrent plugged ducts you may try switching your LOs nursing position often and you can also try taking the herbal supplement lecithin (2 pills 3-4 times a day). It is supposed to help by making the milk less sticky so it doesn't clog as bad. I started taking it two weeks or so ago after I had that really bad clog and it seems to be helping. I didn't start having trouble until I started pumping frequently. After 2 milk blisters, three clogs and one bought of mastitis, I think I have finally got a good balance with the lecithin and switching DDs nursing positions frequently.

Mrs.B6302007

For me, I would know it was gone when the hard lump would disappear even though I was still a bit tender in that spot.

Warm showers always work well for me.  And while I'm in there, I bend forward to let gravity help a bit and do some hand expression working the clog out towards the nipple. Sometimes, I could just barely put pressure on the tender area and milk would just shoot out in a stream.

As your milk supply regulates to your newborn's needs, you *should* see fewer clogs (provided you empty the breast completely at each feeding).  Right now, it's easy to get clogged because your body is still in the brand- new-baby-means-lots-of-milk-production mode. ;-)  GL!

MommaA117

I got rid of mine by massage so yeah I felt it go away right then.

MermaidNM

I could tell right after the nursing session that got it out.  It was still sore, but I could no longer feel a lump.  Hope yours goes away very soon.

GBCK

huh.

Odd woman out here, I never know when ti's gone, it just kinda gradually fades and quits being hurty.

I definately point chin, nurse/pump extra, and massage though

BelleIsa

somebirdseatseeds:

Yes, you will definitely know. The best piece of advice I was given when I started getting them is to point your LOs chin toward the clog because that is where the strongest suction is and to use gravity to help by laying her on her back and getting on all fours to feed her.

I work and had a clog one morning and didn't realize it until I left. I thought DD just wasn't that hungry that morning and that's why I didn't feel empty. I got to work and was so sore. I tried pumping but it didn't help. The clog was in the top part of my breast so when I got home (after a really long 9 hours or so), I laid DD down on the bed feet facing toward the headboard and I leaned over her with my head towards the headboard so her chin pointed toward the clog. It really hurt at first but the pain decreased dramatically when she unclogged it.

GL and if you have problems with recurrent plugged ducts you may try switching your LOs nursing position often and you can also try taking the herbal supplement lecithin (2 pills 3-4 times a day). It is supposed to help by making the milk less sticky so it doesn't clog as bad. I started taking it two weeks or so ago after I had that really bad clog and it seems to be helping. I didn't start having trouble until I started pumping frequently. After 2 milk blisters, three clogs and one bought of mastitis, I think I have finally got a good balance with the lecithin and switching DDs nursing positions frequently.

This is really good to know for my next LO.  My first 4 months BF my DD were a series of clogged ducts, milk blisters and thrush.  I was in so much constant pain that I stopped after 4 months.  Also, I was in China where there was zero BF support so I felt really alone.

Hoping it goes better next time for me so great to have this trick up my sleeve!

katie4253

I could tell, but my boob still hurt bad.  I think I was inching very close to mastitis, though.  It took about 4-6hrs for it to hurt less.   The way I could tell is that the section of my boob wasn't hard anymore (it was engorged from the clog).  

Pretzel80

Thanks for all the advice.  I'm pretty sure it unclogged after heat and a good feeding.  It was still sore after but definitely better and not as hard.  Today it feels almost back to normal. 

MrsGoody

Ditto everyone else.  I also wanted to second taking lecithin - it really worked wonders for me, and even now if I forget to take it I notice more clogged ducts/less production the next day.

Also, a neat trick I read somewhere that works well is to take a clean disposable diaper, fill it with hot water, wring it out, and use it as your warm compress.  It stays warm longer than a washcloth, and the outside stays dry so it doesn't get your clothes/bra all wet.

Good luck!