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!

The Perfect Latch

Just as with breastfeeding, the perfect latch is critical to success.


When you pump, you need to be sure you have a proper latch in order to maximize your production, minimize your time investment and avoid roughing up your delicate nips.


Some pointers:

• be sure you have the right flange size - yes! they can vary in size! Your nipple should fit comfortably in the neck of the flange; it should not be squeezed and it should not have space around it (see below, courtesy Medela):

• when you start pumping, make sure your nipple is parallel to the neck of the flange, as depicted above. If it is sideways or crooked, you will have decreased efficiency
• start on a lower speed and increase once your milk has let down to a comfortable level. you do not need to pump at maximum speed / strength - this can make for some very tender nipples!!
• you should feel "tugging" on your nipples, but under no circumstances should you feel pain. consider a lower setting if you experience discomfort during or after pumping

If you have the perfect latch, but your nipples are only being slightly stimulated, check that your pump is attached properly:

• is the flange airtight to your breast?
• is your nipple properly centered in the flange?
• are the pump membranes in place?
• are you missing any pieces
• are the hoses airtight?
• is every piece snapped in place properly?