Breastfeeding is not without its challenges, issues can arise throughout the time you are breastfeeding your baby.  One of the most common challenges women face is clogged milk ducts.  Some women will breastfeed multiple babies and never experience this complication, while others will have it happen multiple times.  There are many things that can cause clogged milk ducts, and luckily it is pretty simple to self treat if you catch it early and do your best to work through it.

Breastfeeding is one of the most rewarding things you can do as a mother.  Your own body is producing milk that provides your baby with everything she needs as she starts her life.  Once you get over the challenge of figuring out what you are doing in the beginning it becomes a lot easier and can really help to simplify your life as a new mom.  However, it is not without its ups and downs, challenges can continue to arise.  Continued breastfeeding is usually the best way to over come any challenges you may face, including clogged milk ducts.  

Lucky me, I just got over my first (and hopefully only) experience with clogged milk ducts.  It was painful and uncomfortable but through continued breastfeeding and a few extra little tricks I was able to get over it in just a few hours.  More on that later.

So what are clogged milk ducts?  Clogged milk ducts are just that, milk ducts that have become clogged, they also become inflamed and sore.  This happens when milk fails to adequately drain from the duct.  You will likely feel a hard spot in your breast, and it will be sore or tender to the touch.  Some women experience redness on the skin of their breast as well.  I found it was similar to engorgement but only in one isolated spot on the breast.

Milk ducts become clogged when milk fails to drain completely from the duct.  There are many causes for this failure to drain including:

  • Wearing a nursing bra that does not fit properly, either too constricting or has underwire that is pressing on a milk duct.
  • An incomplete or skipped feeding.
  • An inadequate breast pump that doesn't drain the breast properly.
  • Any sort of illness, like a cold or the flu.
  • Increased stress.
  • Sleeping on your stomach (it can put too much pressure on the milk ducts).
  • Or it could happen for no apparent reason at all.

Clogged milk ducts can become infected if left untreated so it is important to do what you can to release the clog as soon as you recognize it has occurred.  Luckily you can pretty easily self treat a clogged milk duct.  For some women though self treatment is not enough and medication is required.  Continued breastfeeding is the most important part of tackling the clog so even if it is painful you should continue to breastfeed through this challenge.  Here are a few things you can try to help get the milk duct unclogged.

  • Frequent breastfeeding.
  • Pump after the breastfeeding session to ensure the breast has been completely drained.
  • Start each breastfeeding session on the affected breast until the clog has resolved.
  • Massage the affected area frequently and firmly.
  • Apply a warm compress prior to breastfeeding.
  • Vary your nursing position, many women find it helpful to point the baby's chin towards the spot on the breast where the clogged milk duct is.
  • Some women find it helpful to get more vitamin C (drink your orange juice!).
  • Rest (I know, not the easiest thing to do with a baby).

The things that I found most helpful were frequent breastfeeding, always starting on the affected breast, pumping after the breastfeeding session to make sure it had been drained, massaging the area, and using a warm compress.  I noticed the clogged milk duct when I went to bed one night and was able to get it unclogged by midmorning the next day.  

There is a risk of infection with a clogged milk duct so keep an eye on things, if you begin running a fever or have flu-like symptoms call your doctor.  If you are unsure if what you are experiencing is a clogged milk duct call you doctor or go see a lactation consultant.  You should also call your doctor if you don't seem to be able to get the duct unclogged with the self treatment techniques, you may have an infection or another issue going on.

Have you ever experienced a clogged milk duct, or any other breastfeeding complications?  What worked for you to help get things moving again?