Lecithin for plugged ducts

EMOmamma

How fast does it work? I have been getting a recurring plugged duct, in the same place, every Tuesday or Wednesday for the last 3 weeks. I think it's because my pump is not as efficient as DD so a few days into the work week it gets blocked again. I already pump 3 or 4 times per day for 20 to 30 min so I can't add in more pumping.

Also, how much should I take? The capsules are 1200mg. The bottle recommends 3 pills once or twice per day.
Thanks!

yddeyma

Sorry I do not know much about Lecithin, but I know a ton about plugged ducts.  I exclusively pumped for 14 months and had regular plugged ducts for the first 8-10 weeks or so.  Here's what helped me.  Hot compresses and breast massage while I pumped.  A hot as you can stand it shower and let the water massage the breast.  Two IB Profin and TONS of water.

 I discovered that pressure on my breasts was causing the clogged ducts.  I would either sleep on them (I'm a stomach sleeper) or hold baby tight against my chest or just squish them in going about my day to day routine and I would almost instantly get a clogged duct. Once I got a good routine going with the pump they stopped occurring.

jlsimon56

I took it.  At first, I still got clogs - but I noticed they went away faster.  Like, within 24 hours whereas before, my clogs were lasting 5 days.  I continued to take it (using the dosage on kellymom) and after a few weeks, did not get any clogs.  Then I just stopped taking it.  Every few months or so I got another clog but they always went away faster (was my LO just a better nurser?).  Overall, I probably took it maybe 6 weeks?  Not long at all.  I recommend!

katie6/26/04

It's been 4 years so I don't remember details of how much I took, but it did seem to help once I started taking it.

EMOmamma

Thanks! I've tried to be really proactive this week but I could still feel it coming on today. I warmed up a washcloth in the microwave at work and held that on for a few min before I pumped this afternoon. I don't mind it but really can't add another 5 min to every session.
I'll try lecithin and maybe next week I won't have it come back.

erin_asay

kellybellybean:

I have had luck with lecithin. I started with three pills a day, and did that for a few weeks. Then I cut it down to twice a day as I began getting fewer clogged ducts, and then one a day. It's really helped.

This. I tried warm compresses and massage, but lecithin was the only thing that really helped.

erin_asay

kellybellybean:

I have had luck with lecithin. I started with three pills a day, and did that for a few weeks. Then I cut it down to twice a day as I began getting fewer clogged ducts, and then one a day. It's really helped.

This. I tried warm compresses and massage, but lecithin was the only thing that really helped.