March 2014 Moms

Plugged duct?

Anyone ever experience this? Did your supply come back up? My supply I struggle to keep up all the time I had a rocky start. It started Sunday night and I feel like it's working itself out but when I pump at night and Lo is sleeping the pumping output has decreased. I pumped anywhere from 3-4 oz. and last night barely 2-2 1/2 ounce and right now this afternoon barely an ounce. Does it go back? I'm working to get it clear massaging and warm compress and pumping. I'm so sad and in pain

Re: Plugged duct?

  • Were you able to clear the plug? 

    I've had two and it was quite obvious for me when I cleared the plug between the fountain of milk and the immediate relief of the engorged duct. Obviously, prior to the plug being worked out, the milk was stopped up, so my pump output was very low.

    The second time it happened, the clog was clearly on it's way to mastitis and the duct remained tender for a few days. I believe that time I noticed a slight dip in production on that side for a day or so after clearing the clog (DD is reverse cycling so I don't pay super close attention to exactly how much I get).

    I do see on Kellymom that it's a normal temporary affect and extra nursing/pumping can remedy the problem: https://kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mother/mastitis/#sideeffect 

    Best wishes!

    AMA & SAIF. TTC #1 since Oct. 2010. DX: Unexplained. BFP on break after 32 months trying and 2 med cycles. Baby girl born at 40w0d!

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    jbelle

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  • I've had a few the latest being about 2 weeks ago. I usually can work them out within a few hours of feeling them generally with hot compresses, massage, & frequent nursing. However the last one I had wasn't getting better. I nursed, massaged, & pumped every hour & a half to 2 hours for a full day & still no relief & barely even half if my normal output. Finally I examined my nipple after a long pump session & noticed the tiniest little milk blister. I was able to break it open & sweet relief came flooding out. At first my milk was a little bloody which led me to believe that perhaps I had the beginning stages of mastitis. I emptied the breast & although it was still tender it felt so much better & the peach sized lump was gone. My milk output returned to normal by the next day.

    I've seen photos of milk blisters & mine looked nothing like those which is why it took me so long to notice it. Maybe this could be your issue?

    Hope you get better soon.
  • I had many when Kinley was on the nipple shield (they don't empty the breast as effectively.)

    Lots of massaging, especially in the shower. Fill a diaper with warm water and stick it in your bra for a couple minutes before nursing/pumping. Sounds weird but that worked wonders for me, especially easing the pain.

    My supply went right back up after getting rid of it.
    Kinley Diane
    Born 2/4/14
    Weighing 6 lbs 10 oz and 20 inches long

  • I've had a few that lasted a couple of days. Hot showers did nothing for me. The only thing that helped was microwaving rice in a sock and applying while nursing. Like pp said, it should be obvious when the plug clears. Mine always cleared DURING nursing and I had to stop so LO wouldn't choke. Only once did my supply dip, but after a few days of regular nursing it corrected itself.

    Best Wishes!
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  • Thank you ladies for the information I only have 1 "functioning" breast lol . The one with the duct of course the other breast I get 1/3 of the other one
  • Wait the last part sounded crazy out of my 2 breast I have 1 that produces more. That's the one with clog I hope it clears away soon and supply comes back up.
  • Yes, this has happened lots to me. My midwife explained it to me as your full ducts (as they are blocked) send a message to stop producing milk since you don't want to keep going as it would get worse and worse.... Once it's unblocked, depending on how long it was "stopped" for, it will start relaying new messages to start producing milk again. So I had mastitis badly and thought I had damaged maybe half to three quarters of one boob. I thought I wouldn't get it back since I had damaged it so badly :( BUT after 2-3 weeks it did slowly start to come back!! It's a self preservation thing for your boob to stop damage which I find amazing!! So in all likelihood once you have cleared it, it will come back to producing more if you keep on nursing or expressing!
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