The problem of blocked breast milk ducts, which causes the breasts to become sore and painful, is often encountered by a number of breastfeeding mothers.
The breasts themselves contain a series of ducts that carry breast milk from the mammary glands to the nipples to be destined for the baby. These blocked milk-carrying ducts can cause intense pain, swelling, and itching.
Regarding this problem, a study published in the Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic & Neonatal Nursing in 2011 which examined 117 breastfeeding mothers found that 4.5 percent experienced blocked milk ducts during the first year of breastfeeding.
A clogged milk duct can lead to mastitis, a painful infection of the breast. Although it can be very painful, clogged milk ducts can actually be treated with home remedies.
In this article, you will learn the symptoms and causes of blocked milk ducts, home remedies you can try, and when to see a doctor.
Causes of Blocked Milk Ducts That Are Important for Mothers to Know
When you breastfeed, milk flows through your breasts in a pipe-like system of ducts. If a duct becomes blocked or the milk has trouble flowing, a blockage can form, known as a blocked milk duct (clogged or plugged duct).
The result is a small lump in your breast that may look slightly red and may feel sore or tender when you touch it.
Several things can cause your milk ducts to become blocked, from small things in your breastfeeding routine to issues that really need to be discussed with your doctor. Here are some possible causes of blocked milk ducts, as quoted from the Very Well Family health page.
Baby Not Breastfeeding Properly
If your baby isn’t latching on well to your breast, your ducts may not be able to remove as much milk as they should from your breast. When milk is left behind, it can clog the ducts.
Breast Swelling
Breast milk can build up in your breasts and clog your ducts if you don’t breastfeed often enough, skip feedings, wait too long between feedings, or give your baby formula too often. Breast engorgement can also occur when your baby starts sleeping through the night.
Excessive Breast Milk Supply
If your body produces too much milk, it can lead to breast engorgement and clogged milk ducts.
Excessive Pressure on Your Breasts
Bras that have underwires, or bras that are too tight, can put pressure on your breast tissue and cause blocked milk ducts. A heavy baby carrier or diaper bag can also put pressure on your breasts.
Dehydration and Fatigue
Lack of rest and not drinking enough fluids can put you at greater risk of developing blocked milk ducts.
Too Much Exercise
Blocked ducts can result from strenuous exercise, especially of the upper body.
Weaning Too Quickly and Not Gradually
If you wean your baby too quickly, it can lead to breast engorgement, blocked milk ducts, and mastitis.
Symptoms and Signs of Blocked Breast Milk Ducts
A blocked milk duct can cause breast pain. Medical News Today health page explains some of the most common symptoms of a blocked duct, which include:
- pain in a specific location in the breast
- soft and swollen lump in the breast
- heat and swelling in the breasts
- milk flow is slower on one side
- skin that looks lumpy in one area
- small white dots on the nipple called milk blebs
Sometimes, a blocked duct can cause a low fever. Because fever can also occur due to breast infection. For mothers who experience fever along with breast pain should see a doctor.
How to Clear Clogged Milk Ducts
So, how do you open blocked milk ducts?
A clogged duct can be very annoying and can be a worrying problem. The good news is that clogged milk ducts tend to be easy to treat and can usually be managed at home.
The key is to act quickly. Without treatment, a clogged duct can lead to a breast infection or worse. What to Expect recommends taking these steps to get your milk flowing again:
Let the Baby Breastfeed the Congested Breast
Give your baby the problem breast first and make sure your little one finishes all the milk on that breast each time they breastfeed.
Find the Right Position
Experiment with positions that involve gravity to help get more milk out of your breast. For example, nurse on all fours with your baby underneath you. Another option: Try latching your baby so that his chin and nose are facing the plug, directing his suction directly to the blocked duct. You can also nurse in this position while massaging the area.
Breast Pump Right When You Need It
If your baby is unable to completely empty your breast (because he is full), complete the task by pumping until the milk comes out. This only takes a few minutes.
Wear Loose Clothing
Sometimes, clogged milk ducts can be made worse by tight clothing or bras. So make sure your bra fits well but is not restrictive. You may also want to consider avoiding bras altogether for now.
Hot Compress
Moms can also apply a warm compress to the sore breast before breastfeeding to help smooth the flow of milk. Another way, Moms can stand under a warm shower, let the water hit the place.
Massage the Painful Part
Massaging and applying gentle pressure to the blocked duct, both before and during feedings, can help loosen the blockage. Try circular massage movements on the outside of the breast and moving inward toward the lump.
How to Prevent Blocked Milk Ducts
There are several things you can do to reduce your risk of having a blocked milk duct. Here are some of them, as recommended by What to Expect:
Frequent Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding regularly — every two to three hours or more — will help prevent engorgement and prevent possible blockages. If you work, you can still express milk by pumping regularly at work .
Avoid Tight Clothes and Bras
Avoid tight bras or tops and avoid sleeping on your stomach, which can put pressure on your breasts and trigger blockages.
Change Your Breastfeeding Position
Regularly alternating breastfeeding on both breasts helps the milk flow evenly, so that blockages can be avoided.
Consumption of Breastfeeding Supplements
Ask your doctor about whether it is okay to take lecithin supplements.
Fat substances, which come from soybeans or egg yolks, are thought to make milk thinner and less “sticky”, so that the ducts are less likely to become clogged.
While there isn’t much research to support this, lecithin is considered safe to consume while breastfeeding.
Visit a Lactation Consultant
Frequent plugging can be a sign that your baby isn’t doing as well as he or she should. Make an appointment with a lactation consultant if this doesn’t resolve.
When to Call Your Doctor?
When you have tried to care for your breasts with the steps above, the blocked milk ducts usually start to shrink or disappear within a few days.
However, if left untreated, this condition can worsen and cause more serious complications, such as mastitis or breast abscess .
The Very Well Family page emphasizes that mothers should immediately contact a doctor if:
- The lump didn’t go away in three days.
- The lump grew larger.
- The problem area is red, and increases in size.
- You have a fever.
These are the things that mothers need to understand regarding blocked breast milk. Hopefully the problem can be resolved after knowing what the causes are and how to overcome this breastfeeding problem. Good luck breastfeeding your little one, Mother
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Republished with permission from theAsianParent Indonesia
