Breast milk supply

Re: Breast milk supply

• clunceford member

  September 2015

  Are you using an electric or manual pump?

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• RaquelB94 member

  September 2015

  Maybe try taking a hot shower and let the water run over them and then pump right after. Every time I've had a clogged duct (sounds like you might have a couple) this is what I do and usually by the second pump post shower the milk is released.
  I've also read about treating them with a saline solution (salt water) but you'd have to google exactly how to put that together. I've read on another post that taking soy lethicin pills will help with clogging.
  Good luck!! I know the pain and I hope you can empty those suckers stat lol

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• PixelPosy member

  September 2015

  Do your breast-shields fit ok? Maybe try pumpin pals shields if they work with your pump. I pump the breast LO doesn't take in the morning when I'm typically very full. I discovered that my breast-shields from my first pregnancy aren't working for me this time. I barely pumped an ounce in 10 minutes with them leaving my breast still felling full, where I get a full bottle plus some in 10 minutes with a pumpin pal shield.

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• TaylorHaugen member

  September 2015 edited September 2015

  I'm using an electric pump. I have tried taking a hot shower but it still won't empty completely. I'll try the other suggestions though. Well it was working great until recently, but even if I try to massage the milk out of my breast it just won't come; it just hurts and nothing comes out.

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• bpwife&mama member

  September 2015

  I really had to be patient when I had a clogged duct. I pumped for what felt like an eternity massaging the clogged area towards the pump and finally it cleared up. Felt heavenly. Good luck!

  
  
  

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• sgolden02 member

  September 2015

  Make sure you have the right sized shields. I thought I did and ended up on a whim getting bigger ones and it was like the gates flooded. The ducts can restrict themselves if they don't have room to expand. Also with pumping, you will never completely empty but you should get to a level of comfort. I've been pumping since week one also because of the same reason. LO was a biter not a sucker. Don't give up!

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• elisatorres1634 member

  September 2015

  I only pump and I get a clogged duct at least once a week and its horrible. I actually woke up with a really bad one today, it hurt to even move my arm a certain way. I pump with my electric for awhile and massage where it is. Then I'll get a warm wash cloth and hold it on my boob for like 3mins and go back to the pump for a little bit. But what finally ends my pain is when I use my hand pump. I think it just has a such a different suction it really helps pull the milk down. Good luck!  

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• ckennett62814 member

  September 2015

  Alright, so this morning I woke up feeling like I had the flu...had a blocked duct in each breast. Horrible horrible pain. My fever got up to 102.8...turned out to be mastitis caused by my blocked ducts. I keep getting them every day for the past 3 or 4 days. Just when I think I got rid of them, they come right back. Anyways, one thing this morning I did to help my blocked duct was to pop the milk bleb on my nipples. You will know if you have them...they look like little white heads on your nipple. I took a pin and just poked it a little bit, then was able to get 6 ounces out of my left breast (i had just tried pumping before and nothing was coming out) my lump instantly went away and my boobs felt so much better!!! I also put a heating pad on my boobs, it makes them feel a lot better. Anyways, moral of the story- make sure your breast are always completely drained or you can get a blocked duct that could turn into mastitis like me. I have to take 4 pills a day every 6 hours for 10 days and I feel horrible...chills, fever, achy feeling. Oh, and if it's not a milk bleb, just keep heat on your boobs and keep massaging and have the baby eat often. Hope you get better!

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