How to Spot and Fix Clogged Milk Ducts

If you've ever felt a painful lump in your breast while nursing, you might have run into a clogged milk duct. Don't worry, it's pretty common and usually not too serious. This article is here to help you figure out what's going on, spot the signs, and learn some tricks to fix it. We'll take you through everything from what causes these pesky clogs to how to prevent them.

What Are the Symptoms of Clogged Milk Ducts?

If it doesn't feel good to breastfeed, it might be because of a clogged milk duct—a common problem most breastfeeding moms will have to deal with. Knowing what symptoms to look for can help you address the problem quickly and find relief:

Presence of a lump: You may feel a small, hard lump in your breast. The lump may be sore or tender to the touch.
Soreness during feedings: The tenderness may be exaggerated before feeding or expressing when breasts are fuller.
Redness: The skin surrounding the lump might appear red.
Swelling: It may appear as if one breast is swollen while the other is not, or it may even just feel full.
Warmth: The tissue around the plug may feel warm or even hot, in contrast to the rest of the breast tissues.
Slower milk flow: You may notice a decrease during breastfeeding in the pace and volume of milk, in comparison to your normal patterns.
Milk blister: Sometimes you may notice a little white dot on the nipple, indicating where the milk is blocked.

If you find any of these signs ringing a bell, either try harmless home treatments or get help from your healthcare provider to improve the situation and continue with more comfortable breastfeeding.

A mother is breastfeeding her baby in a peaceful setting near a window, looking down at the child with affection.

What Causes Clogged Milk Ducts?

Clogged milk ducts usually occur in instances when the milk within the breast flows out and begins to back up. This clog could be brought on by the following factors:

Tight clothing or bras: Putting on a bra that is too small or tight to fit your breast or puts pressure on some areas of your breast can squeeze your milk ducts so hard that hardly any milk can flow.
Skipping feedings or pumping sessions: If you fail to empty your breasts regularly, the milk will get clogged and cause a blockage.
Poor latch: If the baby doesn't attach to your breast properly during feeding, they might not be able to pull out the milk properly and therefore create a blockage.
Being overly tired or stressed: If you are overtired or stressed, it will not allow your body to let down milk properly, which may eventually cause blockages over time.
Sudden oversupply: If your body is making more milk than your baby needs, it is difficult for your breasts to keep up, especially if this change happens quite suddenly.
Infrequent position changes during feedings: Always using one breastfeeding position may result in the milk not draining evenly from all parts of the breast.

How to Do Pumping When You Have Clogged Milk Duct?

Pumping with a clogged milk duct can be a little tricky, but it's important to keep the milk flowing. Here are some tips:

Ease clogged milk ducts with breast pump settings: If you're going through milk duct clogs, Momcozy Mobile Flow™ Hands-Free Breast Pump might help if you choose to unclog milk duct with pump. It can be adjusted to different suction levels so that you will be able to pump comfortably and not too high, which is very important not to further disturb the ducts.

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Pump only what you need: You must avoid pumping more than your baby needs. This would create extra work for your breast ducts and swell them.
Balance your supply: Try to match the amount you pump with how much your baby drinks. If you always pump too much, the breasts may overproduce, becoming very full and uncomfortable.
Use formula when needed: If you notice that you are simply not pumping enough for your baby, this is quite all right because once no more is coming out, you can stop and give some formula to ensure the baby gets enough to eat.
Warmth first: Applying heat to the breast before you begin pumping can significantly aid in resolving a clogged duct. Start by warming a compress or simply soak a clean washcloth in warm water, wring it out, and then place it on the affected area for a few minutes. Alternatively, a warm shower not only provides comfort but also allows the heat to envelop your breast, which can soften the clogged area.
Adjust the pump: Fit the flange of your breast pump properly. If the flange is too small or large, this will be hard to pump with, or may even be the culprit behind your clogged ducts.
Change positions: Changing positions while pumping with clogged duct can better drain the breast. You may want to lean slightly forward, sit straight up, or even recline—some positions stimulate different areas and may facilitate improved milk release with the aid of gravity.

While these can be painful and frustrating to deal with, most are manageable at home. If you notice symptoms of infection, including fever or flu-like symptoms, or if your clog isn't improving after trying these steps, be sure to contact a healthcare provider.

How to Clear a Clogged Milk Duct

To clear a milk duct that is clogged, you have to get the milk going again. To help clear it, do the following:

Do not stop nursing or pumping: If you want to keep your milk moving and keep the duct from getting stopped, you should breastfeed or pump often, ideally 8-12 times per day.
A good latch is necessary to get the milk out: Your baby has a good latch when their mouth touches both the nipple and part of the areola. This can help the breast empty more quickly.
Massage gently toward the nipple during feedings: While feeding or pumping out a clogged milk duct, massage any bumpy areas toward the nipple. This can help move the milk that is stuck in the ducts.
To heal, your body needs water and rest: Make sure you drink a lot of water throughout the day, because being dehydrated can make your milk thicker and make clogging worse. Getting enough rest is also very important because it boosts your defense system and gives your body the power it needs to clear the blockage.
Wear loose clothes that won't make your clogs worse: Keep wearing loose clothes and stay away from bras that are too tight on any part of the breast because they can pinch milk ducts and cause clogs.

If these tips don't help clear out the clog in 24 to 48 hours or if you start to feel like you have the flu, you should call a medtech. That could mean you have mastitis and should see a doctor.

A mother is breastfeeding her baby while sitting on a chair in a room.

How to Know if a Milk Duct is Unclogged

You can usually tell that a milk duct is unclogged by a few signs:

The soreness in your breast eases
Your breast feels less lumpy and more supple
Milk comes out smoothly during feeding or pumping
Any puffiness around the blockage decreases
The hard spot in your breast disappears
General body discomfort related to the clog gets better
Redness on the breast skin near the clogged area fades away
Your baby seems content after nursing
Nursing sessions go back to how they were before the clog

Since ducts can get clogged again, it's important to keep feeding or pumping regularly, stay hydrated, and follow good breastfeeding habits.

How to Prevent Getting Clogged Milk Ducts

Breastfeed about 8-12 times daily to keep milk flowing: Try to feed your baby whenever they want, which means they should get about 8–12 feeds in a 24-hour time. One of the best ways to keep the drain from getting clogged is to remove the milk on a daily basis.
Change positions while nursing to let the breasts drain completely: There are different ways to nurse that can work on different milk ducts. For example, if you normally hold your baby across your body (in a "cradle" position), try lying down or moving to a "football" hold every so often. This can help empty the breasts more thoroughly and keep them from getting clogged.
Avoid putting steady pressure on your breasts: Tight clothes and bras can make it hard for milk to flow and can lead to clogged ducts. Wear a bra that feels good and doesn't make you feel squished. Stay away from bras that leave marks or are painful. If you sleep or carry bags that might press on your breasts, be careful.
Drink water, eat a balanced diet, and rest well: Staying hydrated is important for keeping up milk production, so drink a lot of water throughout the day. A healthy diet is good for your health and your milk flow, and getting enough rest is important for your body to work at its best.
Control milk production if you have too much: Sometimes, having too much milk can make the chance of clogged ducts higher. If you're making more milk than your baby needs, a lactation expert can help you slowly lower your supply without clogs. For example, you could stop feeding your baby during certain times or change the way you pump clogged duct.
Use skills for relaxing and getting help: Getting too much stress can make it hard for your body to release milk, which can cause clogs. It can help to include stress-relieving activities like yoga, deep breathing, or meditation in your daily life. To make things easier on yourself, don't be afraid to ask friends, family, or experts for help.
Do not miss feedings or pumping sessions: Try to stick to a regular feeding and pumping routine even if your schedule gets busy. Skipping sessions can make your breasts swell up, which makes clogs more likely. If you leave your baby or your baby skips a feed, you can use a pump to feed your baby when you're not around.
Watch out for any signs of possible blockages: Keep an eye out for any new lumps, sore spots, or chronic fullness in your breasts. If you act quickly on these signs, like raising feedings or massaging the area, a clog will probably not get worse.

A newborn baby girl is sleeping on her mother's chest while wearing a white bow in her hair and a pink and white outfit.

FAQs for Blocked Milk Duct and Pumping

Q1. Can I unclog a milk duct with a pump?

Yes, you can often unclog a milk duct with the help of a hands-free breast pump. One effective technique is called "dangle pumping." Here's how to do it:

1. Find Your Spot: Look for a place where you can lean over comfortably. This helps because gravity does some of the work and might make it easier to unclog milk ducts with a pump.

2. Lean In: Bend forward until your breasts point straight down to the floor. It might feel a bit funny, but this is how it's supposed to be for dangle pumping to work well.

3. How to Sit:

If you have a table or desk, sit in a chair and bend way over so your head can rest on the surface.
Without a desk, just sit and lean over, resting your arm across your knees to help support you.
You can also spread your legs apart and fold yourself forward, so your shoulders rest on your knees. Reach under your legs to hold the pump in place.
If you've got a cushion or a big pillow, put it on your lap and lean over it; this helps you stay bent over while you pump.

4. Start Pumping: Put the pump part (breast shield) over your nipple, turn on your pump, and do what you usually do. Gently squeeze and massage your breast, paying extra attention to any spot that feels clogged.

Q2. When should I see a doctor for a clogged milk duct?

You must consult a doctor in case of the following situations:

The blocked/clogged duct is not improving after 24-48 hours with home remedies.
You have started running a fever or showing signs of flu, which can be due to infection. This type of infection is called mastitis.
You observe unusual discharge or blood from your nipple.
When the pain is unbearable and too intense.
You feel a hard, persistent lump in your breast that does not change with feeding or pumping.

Q3. How to massage a clogged milk duct?

To massage a clogged milk duct, follow the following steps:

First, apply a warm compress to soften the block, and then proceed with massaging.
Massage with your fingers, starting from the back of the area and pressing towards the nipple.
Massage before and during feeding or pumping; this can help push the clog closer to the nipple and then out of the duct. Be gentle. Too much pressure can cause tissue damage.

Q4. Can a baby breastfeed from a breast with a clogged milk duct?

Yes, a baby can still breastfeed from a breast with a clogged milk duct. Breastfeeding can actually help clear the duct. Make sure the baby has a proper latch, and try to start feedings on the affected side since sucking tends to be stronger at the beginning of a feeding session.

Q5. What happens if a clogged milk duct is left untreated?

If the clogged milk duct is left untreated, it may cause such complications as:

Further discomfort and pain in the breast.
Mastitis-infection of breast tissue that causes fever, chills, and flulike symptoms.
An abscess—develops from a more serious infection that may involve a collection of pus in the breast and must be drained surgically. Always try to treat a clogged milk duct promptly to avoid these possible complications.

Bottom Line

Dealing with clogged milk ducts isn't fun, but now you've got some solid tips to tackle them. The big things to remember? Keep the milk flowing, help your baby to latch on correctly, and take care of yourself. And if you try all of this and it isn't improving or you begin to feel unwell, don't tough it out - give your doctor or a breastfeeding expert a call. Every mother's journey is different, and you are doing fantastic. Just have a little more patience, coupled with these handy tricks up your sleeve, and you should be feeling better soon.