Dealing With a Clogged Duct

If you’re a breastfeeding mom, you’re bound to get a clogged milk duct. You’ll recognize it instantly – a hard lump in your breast, extreme tenderness and soreness, and a short supply of milk being produced.

I’ve had my fair share … no less than three by my estimation, all brought on by a missed pumping and engorgement.

How do you deal with them? Conventional wisdom suggests keep nursing and pumping to push it through, but that doesn’t always work. And the discomfort in between is grueling.

Here is my recipe for relief, start with #1 and move down with severity of the clog:

1. Don’t miss a pumping! If you pump every 3-4 hours, try shifting to every 2-3 hours until the lump is gone.
2. Massage the affected area gently as you express. Be careful though, the clog can migrate!
3. Apply a warm compress before and during pumping. The best way to do this is to take a diaper and fill it with warm water (not too hot though!). It will stay warmer longer than a rag.
4. Get on all four. That’s right – it will make you feel very vulnerable and uncomfortable, but the power of gravity really does the trick. Make sure you put down lots of towels and know that you will likely lose everything you pump (those containers were not made to be used sideways).
5. Repeat as necessary.

Good luck and happy pumping!