Handling Plugged ducts - from The Nursing Baby

How to recognize Plugged ducts:

1. Swelling, usually in a localized area. Tends to increase from the deep breast area towards the nipple. Can begin to affect other parts of the breast and more ducts if it continues.
2. Warmth. Breast may become warm to the touch (or may not). Beware of red streaks and feverish symptoms - those are indicative of mastitis. Any question, and seek your health care provider's advice.
3. Discomfort. You may feel the same discomfort you felt when your milk came in. Nursing sessions tend to increase the discomfort, as the milk comes rushing in to your breast and causing more swelling.

Tips for treatment and prevention:

1. Unflap BOTH nursing flaps while nursing. This is imperative. Do not sleep on your stomach or side (until you stop getting clogged ducts), especially if you are large breasted. Wire bras are OK as long as the wire does not press on any glands -that means the wire should probably be on your sides below your arms, not on your chest.
2. Watch out for nursing bras with 'cookies' of support around your breast. Avoid *any* tightness. Buy a bra which *completely* covers your mammary glands.
3. When there's a clog, dip your nipple in warmish water before you nurse. This brings good relief and seems to increase the chances of the plug unplugging.
4. Nurse baby on the plug side first every time. Encourage multiple latch ons (if that's feasible) on the breast with the 'plug'. Nurse with the baby's chin to the plug, and vary nursing positions as much as possible.
5. Be prepared with a towel when it does unplug. Sometimes it comes out too fast for the baby to drink.

You can also apply warmth and massage your nipples gently. Pumping can sometimes help. However, your baby can generally nurse the milk out more effectively than you or a pump.

Watch for red streaks, fever, or flu like symptoms as a sign of mastitis. Please see your healthcare professional in that case or in case of questions.

These tips are not intended to be medical advice. Please consult your healthcare provider if you have questions.