Where do you massage a clogged milk duct?
Use gentle breast massage on any hard lumpy areas while your baby feeds. Massage gently above the blocked duct and then hand express behind your nipple. Try to feed your baby on the affected side frequently, changing positions so that his chin and nose are alternately pointing in the direction of the plugged duct.
Try these tips straight away to ease the problem. Have a warm shower and massage the breast under water to break up the lump. Use a warm compress – wrap a warm (not hot) heat pack in a soft cloth, and hold it to your breast for a few minutes. Gently massage to break up the lump.
Firmly massage the affected area toward the nipple during nursing or pumping and alternate with compression around the edges of the clogged milk duct to break it up. Try a warm soak in the bath or shower along with massaging the plugged duct while soaking.
Before and during a feed, gently swipe your thumb over the lump and toward your nipple. You can repeat this as many times as you like but don't use too much pressure as this can cause damage to your milk ducts.
In some cases, clogs can cause a small white dot at the opening of the duct on your nipple. You might also notice that your milk looks thicker, grainy or stringy.
It's not the plugged milk duct that you can squeeze, but, in fact, the nipple. If you notice that there is dried milk on your nipple or the nipple pore is clogged, you can soak the affected nipple in warm water, and then try to express milk by hand to loosen and expel the milk that's causing the blockage.
If you get a plugged duct, do these things: Breastfeed or pump your breast milk often. Put a warm, wet washcloth on your breast or put your breast in warm water. Then gently rub the lump.
Your husband may have to take one for the team and try to suck out the clog. Especially if your baby is younger your husband may be able to suck a lot harder. You can also use the dangle feeding position above to allow gravity to help him suck it out. Sometimes you have to do what you have to do!
A blocked milk duct (sometimes called plugged or clogged milk duct) is an obstruction of one or more ducts carrying milk to the nipple of the breast. If left untreated, a clogged duct can lead to Mastitis (inflammation and sometimes infection of the breast).
Blocked ducts will almost always resolve without special treatment within 24 to 48 hours after starting. During the time the block is present, the baby may be fussy when breastfeeding on that side because the milk flow will be slower than usual. This is probably due to pressure from the lump collapsing other ducts.
Can a blocked milk duct unblock itself?
Here's the real bummer: If you do nothing, the clog isn't likely to fix itself. Instead, it may progress into an infection called mastitis. Take note that fever is not a symptom you'll experience with a clogged milk duct. If you have pain and other symptoms accompanied by fever, you may have an infection.
“If a plugged milk duct persists [for longer than two days] and there's no relief, there's a chance it can develop into mastitis,” Kramer says. “With mastitis a mother develops a fever (100.4 degrees Fahrenheit), begins to feel fatigued and achy and should seek medical attention immediately.”
When the breast milk is not removed regularly, the milk can back up and create a blockage. A nipple bleb can also block the milk duct. When the body produces milk in over abundance, it can engorge the breast and hence lead to a blockage. Other reasons include fatigue, over exercise, dehydration and weaning.
Attempts to massage or vibrate away milk duct 'blockages' increase the risk of mastitis or abscess in breastfeeding women.
The lump may also move over time – closer to the surface so you can better feel it or further into the duct, where you can't. And once the duct is unclogged, the area may still be red or feel tender for a week or so, but any hard lumps will be gone and it won't hurt as much to nurse.
Sometimes pumps are not as good as baby at emptying the breast. So women who pump more often are occasionally more prone to clogged ducts. While pumping, massage the breast on all sides to help empty the breast, then hand express after. Dry skin or milk in the nipple may lead to engorgement and then blocked ducts.
Warm the area of the breast where the blockage is located for a few minutes. Keep in mind that the temperature should be comfortably hot to avoid damaging the breast tissue. Methods to consider include a warm shower, warm packs, a heating pad or soaking the breast in a bowl of warm water.
It's not the plugged milk duct that you can squeeze, but, in fact, the nipple. If you notice that there is dried milk on your nipple or the nipple pore is clogged, you can soak the affected nipple in warm water, and then try to express milk by hand to loosen and expel the milk that's causing the blockage.
The best initial treatment for a clogged duct is to continue nursing, taking care to drain the breast as much as possible with each feeding. (If you suddenly stop breastfeeding, your breast will probably become engorged, which could make the condition worse and lead to an infection.)
On the affected side you may notice a temporary decrease in supply and during your let down it may be more painful. After the clogged duct has cleared, usually within a day or two, it is normal for the area to feel bruised for a couple weeks.
What happens if you don't unclog a milk duct?
A blocked milk duct (sometimes called plugged or clogged milk duct) is an obstruction of one or more ducts carrying milk to the nipple of the breast. If left untreated, a clogged duct can lead to Mastitis (inflammation and sometimes infection of the breast).
The lump may also move over time – closer to the surface so you can better feel it or further into the duct, where you can't. And once the duct is unclogged, the area may still be red or feel tender for a week or so, but any hard lumps will be gone and it won't hurt as much to nurse.
Your husband may have to take one for the team and try to suck out the clog. Especially if your baby is younger your husband may be able to suck a lot harder. You can also use the dangle feeding position above to allow gravity to help him suck it out. Sometimes you have to do what you have to do!