Clogged duct?

Baby_Bunny_Hopeful · February 2013

Yesterday I got a clogged duct (I think)... it's like a hard spot in my b00b... no matter how much I massage it and/or pump- it's still there- tender to the touch and hurts!

Any suggestions? TIA!

vettymama · February 2013

This is going to sound really strange, but when I had a clogged duct I pumped while I was on my hands and knees in the bathroom with the shower running so it was a little warmer. I figured with heat and massaging it wouldn't hurt to maybe try gravity too. I think I pumped like that for two or three seesions. It might work for you too. Good luck!

kateshaw99 · February 2013

I had this last week - my doc recommended using a wet, warm washcloth on the spot while nursing/pumping (more difficult than it sounds!) and advil to help with the pain. I also used a heat pack at other times of the day/evening.... Mine figured itself out in about 24-36 hours.... If it gets hot in that spot (like to the touch)... call the doc... GL!

ellebee2 · February 2013

Nurse/pump lots
Apply heat for about 5 or 10 mins before nursing/pumping
Massage.... HARD
Massage while in hot shower

Usually takes me about 24 hours to clear up.

pb_bride · February 2013

Happened to me last wk. Warm compresses before and during nursing, gentle massage of clogged area during nursing, and feed LO on the clogged side at every nursing session. Nurse frequently. Also helps is positioning LO so that his/her chin is at the direction of the clogged duct. GL!

danabsd · February 2013

A blocked duct presents as a painful, swollen hard mass in the breast, sometimes accompanied by surface redness. It is caused by insufficient drainage of your milk, either because of engorgement, a bad latch, skipped feedings, OR by wearing one of the following that is too tight: a bra (underwire is usually the culprit), a bathing suit or even a baby carrier. If you're like me, you can also get them sleeping in the wrong position (stomach), or by sneezing or blinking your eyes (ok, that one's a joke).

Sometimes, you can feel the actual blocked duct and other times, like in my case, the whole area or an entire side of the breast is sore and you can't pin it down to a specific location (totally frustrating). Sometimes the whole damn breast feels like a clogged duct! (Confession: I threw a book against the wall one time because I was in so much pain. It takes a lot for me to throw a book against the wall...)

Not sure if that's what you have? Do this: bend over at the waist and let the weight of your breasts fall forward. If you have one, you'll really feel it in this position.

So... I consider myself a blocked duct veteran. A frequent customer, if you will. I can confidently say that I have scoured every nook and cranny on the internets, talked to oodles of lactation consultants, doctors, other moms...you name it. When you get blocked ducts that can't be resolved, you get a little desperate.

Bad news first: there isn't anything your OB can do for you, except perhaps to prescribe a kick-ass painkiller like Oxycodone, which I highly recommend. Yup, you have to work these bad boys out on your own. It's no picnic, but you gotta do it. Here's how:

1. MEDICATE and RELAX
If your blockage is really painful and sensitive to the touch, you need to drug up about 30-45 minutes before the (ahem) "eradication session". Perhaps you have some fabulous Vicodin left over from the hospital, hmmm? (you didn't throw it away, DID YOU??) This will relax you and allow you to get in 'dere and take care of bizz-nax.
**This is not medical advice, k? Just advice from some chump who's been there. A lot. **
2. HEAT
Prepare a heating pad for the affected breast. Apply heat for about 5 minutes *right before* nursing. You can also take a hot shower.
*Note: Your best weapon is the suction power from your baby's sucking (is there a better word for that?). Think of your baby as a tool -- a Hoover vac - to dislodge the blockage.
3. NURSE
Begin the nursing session on the affected breast if you can stand it, as babies tend to suck harder in the beginning of the feed. Complete the nursing session as you normally would. **The advice used to be to point baby's chin in the direction of the affected duct, but recent research indicates this is no longer necessary.
4. MASSAGE AND PINCH
Right after nursing, massage your breast to work out the clog. **You can also try to do this while you are nursing, but the logistics are difficult.
First, apply some lotion or olive oil to the area to make it slippery. Massage the general area. Then, use your thumb and index finger to try to squeeeeeeze out the blockage. Press down and squeeze inward toward the nipple (if you followed #1, you'll have no problem with this). Ouch, I know I know I know.
Do it for as long as you can stand it.
5. CELEBRATE
Pat yourself on the back and take a deep breath because that hurt like bloody hell. Now, go put a cold cabbage leaf on your breast; any variety will do. I prefer the purple kind. A glass of wine won't hurt either at this point.
Repeat several times a day until you work it out.

Two more important things to note:

1. You need to take lecithin, (1,200mg) 3 or 4 times a day. Lecithin has emulsification and lubricant properties - it's like Drain-O for your milk ducts. Taking too much can make you nauseated, dizzy and depressed (no joke), so don't O/D on it.

2. Drink boatloads of water to thin everything out. Fill up the huge 32oz. water jug that you stole from the hospital and drink several refills per day.

Desperation

Didn't work? Sigh. Yeah, me neither. I have 2 tricks for desperate souls. You will feel ridiculous, but these techniques work really well.

1. Hover: Nurse your baby (or pump) while hovering on all fours. Like a dog.
What? That's right, you will be on all fours and down on your elbows in the front so that your bubbies are dangling down. Nurse your baby while she's lying underneath you. Try not to laugh.
There is something magical about position that helps break up the blockage. Do it on a soft place like your bed and it's not so bad. You can also do this while pumping if nursing is too painful, it just won't be quite as effective.
2. Vibration: I learned this from a great lactation consultant... for a freakishly stubborn blockage, you can use vibration to work it out. You can try a Sonicare toothbrush or anything that vibrates (ahem). Lube up the affected area, press the vibrator as hard as the pain allows, pushing toward the nipple.
Feeling saucy? Hover and vibrate at the same time. If that doesn't work, you can hold me personally responsible for making you feel ridiculous.
This worked on stubborn blockages for me. Mine always took several days to resolve, which is very uncommon. Stay the course. You'll beat them, I promise.

Another thing to note is when you finally do break up the blockage, you may not be able to tell until the next morning. If you still feel the blockage after an extensive workout session, don't be too discouraged. You may not know that you succeeded until a little later.

Mslighty830 · February 2013

I have gotten a few clogged ducts. I put rice in a sock and warmed it up for about 35 seconds. Applied it while i was pumping or feeding along with some massaging. They all cleared up after a couple feedings. Its so painful when it happens. Hope that helps. :

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Clogged duct?

Re: Clogged duct?

1. MEDICATE and RELAX

2. HEAT

3. NURSE

4. MASSAGE AND PINCH

5. CELEBRATE

Desperation

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