Hello friends,
I'm had my son almost 7 weeks ago and since he was 3 weeks old I've been having clogged ducts consistently, several a week at least. I have read what all the books say: warm compress, massage, wear loose bras etc. Nothing seems to make them go away and stay away. I pump when I get them but that seems to have increased my milk production. Do you have any advice or help? I believe my son has a good latch, so I'm not sure what is causing this problem to reoccur. I'm frustrated and don't want to give up nursing, but the pain has been almost unbearable at times. HELP!
I have talked to my doctor and the lactation nurse. I feel I've tried everything they've recommended. I haven't had a fever or mastitis yet, either. I just need advice on avoiding clogged ducts to begin with. THANKS!
Have you tried nursing in different positions? They say to alternate when you have a duct issue. Try doing a cradle hold during one session then the next session do a side lying or football. Also a baby will drain you better than the pump so you may want to nix the pumping...unless the LC told you to. Sorry your going through this. I have heard it can be painful.
I hope you see this, since I am a couple days behind. There is a natural supplement you can take called Lecithin. You can find it at any natural food store and I think even Walmart sells it in their vitamin/herb aisle. It is safe to take and reduces the occurance of clogged ducts.
If you are wearing underwire bras, consider a no wire bra. Also, try to fully compress the breast while your son is feeding. Not emptying the breast all the way leads to clogged ducts. He has a couple of good growth spurts coming up, so hopefully his increased appetite will help and then your over-supply should start to relax a bit.
PLEASE contact an actual LC. Not a lactation nurse. Contact a real lactation consultant.
I recommend Peggy Healy at the Art of Breastfeeding.
Are you sure you are having recurrant plugged ducts? Could this be engorgement?
Are you feeding your baby on demand? Every 2 hours or so?
If it is plugged ducts-- keep baby's nose pointed at the hard spots to have them help clear the duct.
Your body is still adjusting to your baby's demands so be a little patient. You can try block feeding... meaning nursing on one breast only for a couple feedings and then switching to the other breast for a couple feedings. Or you can just nurse one breast per feeding and switch each feeding. This can help your body to adjust to too much production.
Don't give up. It will get easier and will get to be enjoyable. Don't worry-- your son is learning how to do all this too.
Get help!
I too had tons of painful clogs (25+). Here is what I learned...
1) Look for a tiny white "pimple" on your nipple, that corresponds to the same spot on your breast that has the clog. If you find one, it is a clogged "sprayer". Take a sterile needle and gently poke it into the SIDE of the pimple (it doesn't hurt a bit). The stuff that will come out will be the consistency of toothpaste (it's essentially dried milk). Don't be surprised if milk starts dripping out of your breast once you release the "sprayer". Then, either nurse or pump to drain the milk gland.
2) If you can't find the tiny white pimple, continue to use warm compresses. I would sometimes take a hot shower, and kind of "milk" that breast. While in the shower, take a washcloth and kind of "scrub" the nipple (which may release a tiny pimple that you couldn't spot).
Seriously, almost every time I had a clog, I had a little white pimple on my nipple. Once I knew how to recognize this, I grew much less apprehensive about getting/curing those darn clogs. Lastly, once you resolve the clog, the pain doesn't go away immediately. My boob always hurt for 25 hours or so afterwards.
Don't think you are doing anything wrong.....you're not. And neither is your baby. Clogs just happen.
Hang in there!
D. (nursed for 38 months!)
How frustrating for you! I'm not an expert (beyond having nursed 2 kids) but you might try making sure you nurse in a variety of positions (with baby laying across your front, in football hold, etc). Also try nursing a couple times in a row off each breast to really empty them well. If you feel like there's a duct that's not emptying during your feeding, put some direct firm (read: HARD) pressure on it while your baby is nursing. Good luck to you!
Make sure you drink enough water/fluids throughout the day and night. Also, when you are nursing on the side with the clog, press on the area where the duct is with your hand, that should help release that milk. Here is a link to a LLL webpage. Hope it helps!
http://www.llli.org/NB/NBMarApr06p68.html
