Help for Clogged Ducts

R.,
I feel your pain completely. While nursing my first son I honestly had clogged ducts about every other day for a 8-9 month stretch of time. My OB's office said they had never had someone like me who had as many problems with it. Anyway, everything you're doing is right. The lecithin should help some and the cabbage leaves can be used when the pain and swelling are really bad. Now onto something that's probably a little TMI but was really the root of alot of my problems... I was actually getting the clogged ducts due to clogged nipple pores. Again, sorry for getting so personal but I know it made a world of difference for me. Check your nipples and see if you notice any areas that look a little like a whitehead... you may have to spread the nipple itself to find one. If you do, gently try squeezing that area to dislodge the blockage. I am not lying when I tell you that there were times when something like a grain of salt would come out and then I would literally have a stream of milk come shooting out and the clogged duct would be drained within a few minutes. Other people reading this who have never experienced a clogged duct probably think I'm crazy, but if they could feel the pain of one, then they would realize that you would try just about anything:) Send me a personal message if you have more question.

Have you spoken with your OB/GYN to make sure you don't have mastitis (infection of the mammory ducts)?

I was lucky to have absolutely NO problems nursing my son for the first year, and well, I had some issues with my daughter that were diagnosed as mastitis, but ended-up being something else.

Anyhow, at this point in time, I'd recommend giving them a call, too, to see what they may recommend in addition to the lactation consultant.

Good luck!

Hi R.,
I was also a clogged duct queen and feel your pain. I used cabbage leaves a lot and just put them on the clogged ducts as needed more for relief than anything else, it does work. I recommend renting a strong pump and pumping a few times a day to really clear everything out, just for a week. I hate pumping but it was the only way for me to get some relief. I hope you get some good advice and relief, hang in there!
M.

I just wanted to mention getting in contact w/ La Leche League. They were always far more helpful to me than the LC. Just pull up their web site and type in your zip to get connected. They will be more than happy to help. :)

I did use cabbage leaves, but don't remember having clogged ducts...interesting facts about them though ladies!

Do you wear underwire bras? If so, that may be the culprit. I have several underwire nursing bras and if I wear them for too long, I'll get a clogged duct. I'm not sure why, but it's like the underwire pushes on my breast or something. Try going without a bra or wearing a simple cotton bra with no underwire. Also, a super hot shower and massage while in the shower should help. If you're not pumping, try to pump a little after each nursing session. It's possible that your daughter's eating habits are changing and she's not emptying your breasts completely.

Make sure you are emptying your breasts each time you pump or nurse. Not emptying your breasts will continue the issue.

I had severe engorgement issues with my daughter and I did use cabbage leaves. I typically used them between nursing sessions. You put the cabbage in the fridge and then lay a single layer of leaf over your breasts. I normally just stuck them in my bra. Leave them there until they get warm.

Now, the issue with cabbage leaves is if you use them too much THEY WILL DRY UP YOUR MILK.

I would try other methods first, such as massaging often, ensuring your breasts are empty after each session and using warm showers to keep things flowing.

R.-- Sorry about your issues with nursing! Just an FYI, in case your lactation consultant didn't mention this, if you are allergic to sulphates you cannot use cabbage.

You may also want to check out kellymom.com to see if there are any suggestions on that site.

Good luck!!

What kind of bra do you wear? You shouldn't wear underwire nursing bras for AT LEAST the first 6 months and if you are wearing one after 6 months and still have trouble, it's best to just wear soft-cup bras. There are a couple really great options out there (I mean other than a cheap-o from Target) so PM me if you want info on supportive bras, especially if you have boobs bigger than a C cup.

As far as I know, the cabbage leaves don't soak up milk, do a little research on that. I forget exactly what the do, but I don't think it has anything to do with lessening supply, they just ease the pain of fullness.

La Leche League is a great resource. Don't know where you are in the city, but the Broad Ripple La Leche League groups meets this Friday (Second Friday of the month) and the Castleton group meets a week from Monday (3rd Monday of the month). You can find other groups at llli.org or PM me for more info.

R.,

I've never tried the cabbage leaves, but I have heard they work. When I nursed my 2 1/2 yr old I had issues a few times with blocked ducts. I called my sister how it the nursing queen & teaches about nursing to new moms. What she told me was to put the babies chin where ever the blocked duct is... that the have better sucking power where ever their chin is.

Mine were alway on the right side bottom - so I had to lay on the bed and lay him along side of me and let him nurse that way. I hated that position & it hurt like h***, but it did work to get them unclogged and they were able to start healing. Personally, I like sitting in a chair and having them lay across my lap... but when your blocked you you do what you have to. Also, at the hospital they gave me Lansinoh Breast Cream which can be bought at almost every store for about $10 - $15 a tube & it helped a lot.

Good luck - I know what you are going through is painful... I almost quite nursing because of it, but once I found out how to fix it I kept going. I hope you find releaf soon!!!

Try really warm/hot shower to relax you and then nurse/pump until empty.