Talk to me about clogged ducts

Jmattis · January 2014

Hey ladies- anyone experience a clogged milk duct or mastitis? I work up this morning with a 102.4 degree fever/chills/ aches. I wasn't sure if I maybe had an infection from delivery so I called my obgyn and she said I could have a clogged milk duct and to call tomorrow if my fever hasn't gone down. My fever went down about 6 hours ago and has stayed down, but I still have centralized pain in my right breast. I have been nursing every two hours and using a hot compress beforehand all day.

My question is, how do you know when its unclogged? Does the area still hurt when it is or does the pain go away immediately?

My boobies say thanks in advance!

ac1259 · January 2014

I had clogged ducts that led to mastitis last week...and the fever and chills sound more like mastitis to me. But when the ducts were clogged I'd get some relief with massage and pumping but it never felt completely better....the antibiotics were the only thing that helped:( hope you feel better soon!

Sweetiejules12 · January 2014

A plugged duct feels like a marble, massage it down, and it comes out stringy and thick. Warm compresses and pumping will help, sometimes it needs drained at the office if its that bad. Mastitis is an infection, you feels like crap with a fever and need antibiotics. Keep breast feeding don't stop but you need the antibiotics. Hope this helps and you feel better.

Bwhitten · January 2014

You can usually feel pain and a little lump if it's still clogged. I always had them but only worried when it would look red in the area and felt a fever or body aches. Then I would pump alot and express in the hot shower.

valigrl21 · January 2014

I am dealing with this too right now and it sucks. I had bad chills and I am sure I had a fever but never took my temp. I have also been really run down and have a had a headache.

I talked to an LC who told me to take ibuprofen as needed, pump and rest all day. She said if I wasn't feeling better soon then to get antibiotics.

quidditchcapn1120 · January 2014

I struggled with clogged ducts a lot when I nursed my son. The fever and chills though sounds more like mastitis.

I never found something that worked every time to get rid of clogged ducts but some things that helped:

Take a hot shower or bath. Get on your hands and knees or lean over and manually massage the area where the clogged duct is.

When you nurse, hold the baby in a way that their chin massages the clog when they suckle.

Lay with a heating pad on the area.

Pump after each nursing session and massage the area in circles while pumping.

And for good measure- here's an article about taking supplements to help with recurrent clogged ducts.

I hope you feel better soon!

gina0485 · January 2014

I did all of the above and used a wide tooth comb in the shower and combed over the area toward the nipple. I've read that if clogging is a recurrent problem, lecithin can be taken as a preventative.

Jmattis · January 2014

Thanks so much for your input and help ladies!

I have been fever free since yesterday morning and the aches, pains and chills have remained absent as well. I have a localized pain that feels a little better, but I can't feel a lump and there isn't a red spot there is just pain. I'm going to call the doctors first thing this morning and hopefully can get in there to get this taken care of in case I do need antibiotics.

Again, really appreciate your feedback, ladies

litzo27 · January 2014

I know I'm late to the party and you got some great advice above - hope you have relief soon. I just want to reiterate what @gina0485 said. For those who find that clogged ducts keep recurring Lecithin is a wonder-drug. It has no side-effects and it really really helps. Buy it in the powder/granule form not the pill and eat a full tablespoon a day.

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