I am fairly sure I have a clogged milk duct. I can see a white spot pin my nipple. I do not have signs of infection, but I still have pain on that side. I thought the baby was rubbing her teeth on the nipple. Can a clogged duct that is not infected cause pain?
Yes it can-- I would put some warm compresses on it and take a hot shower,let the water run over it and try to express some milk from that side to see if you can clear it. If you can't get relief tonight--go to the doctor tomorrow. You don't want it to turn into mastitis. GL
M
I kept getting a clogged duct on one side, I would wake that way and throughout the day after much massaging and nursing and heat it would get better. I figured out it was the way I was sleeping on my side that was causing it, after switching sides and sleeping on the other side it got much better. Another thing I noticed was when I wore an underwire nursing bra it would cause a clogged duct. If you can't get any relief from these suggestions I would call the lactation consultant or doctor. Look at all the factors to try to figure out what caused it, so you can avoid it in the future!
In addition to all the other great advice try changing up and nursing in different positions
Yes, a clogged duct is painful. It gets REALLY painful if left untreated (and gets infected). A hot water bottle or a hot bath laying on that side are effective ways of 'melting/loosing' the clog, when paired with deep massaging of that area. Thick goo will eventually get pushed or drain out, and relief will follow. I hope this helps - and that you get feel better soon. If it changes from a low ache to an intense, sharp pain, go see a doctor. Antibiotics (that are okay while nursing) are available to help if it gets infected. Good luck, sweetie!
If you see a white spot, it's called a bleb. Try putting a warm compress on it and then nurse on that side right away. If that doesn't help you have two options... have a medical professional or IBCLC lance it to drain or you can sterilize a safety pin/pin/etc to prick it horizontally across the surface (not down into the skin) to lance it and allow it to drain. Popping it will not necessarily allow it to drain, but you can try that too. I've squeezed a few of mine and I had stuff come out, but not all the time.
Rest, it helps so much. Try all the other suggestions too but remember to have a lie down and rest your body.
What helped me the most was going to bed with a heating pad under the side that was hurting. I pumped and pumped and massaged and massaged and nursed and nursed and did all that other stuff with no relief. But that darn heat pad did wonders the few times I felt a plugged duct. If I even feel a possible plugged duct coming on I go and lay with that pad where it hurts.
Good luck. Oh and if you sleep on your tummy try not to that also can cause plugged ducts! I counted down the days until I could sleep on my tummy and then decided I better keep on counting:) It wasn't worth the pain!
YES! I would encourage you to go the the doctor as soon as possible--whenever your walk in clinic opens! A clogged duct can lead to mastitis, and you don't want that!
