6 min. read One of the most common challenges that breastfeeding mothers experience is a clogged milk ducts. What does a blocked milk duct feel like? It feels like a tender lump in the breast and can be a bit painful and uncomfortable.
Here we’ll address all the most common questions surrounding this issue. From blocked milk duct symptoms, to treatment, to tips on preventative care, we’ll cover the essential information on clogged ducts. And as always, seek a second professional opinion if you require further information.
What does a blocked milk duct look like and how does it differ from other breast-related conditions, such as mastitis?
A clogged milk duct, also referred to as a blocked or plugged duct, is when milk is blocked in the breast, resulting in incomplete drainage of the milk duct. This causes a tender lump to form in the breast and can lead to discomfort in that specific area.1
Common blocked milk duct symptoms include:2
In short, a clogged duct is when there is a localised, uncomfortable lump on the breast, without any other sign of illness or fever. If there are fever or flu-like symptoms and if the breasts are warm to the touch, it could be mastitis. Find more information about mastitis symptoms and support here.
There are a few things that can cause a clogged milk duct: To summarise, the cause of a blocked milk duct is usually due to not fully draining all the milk or from putting too much pressure on the breast for an extended amount of time.
It’s important to seek treatment for a clogged milk duct as soon as possible to avoid a breast infection. Here’s how to clear a blocked milk duct:3
When it comes to relieving a blocked duct, breastfeeding mothers should continue to nurse their baby and make sure that he or she is fully extracting the milk. They can also try breastfeeding their newborn on the side of the clogged duct every two hours. This will help to keep the milk flow going and may unclog the milk duct.
Continuous milk flow stimulation is the goal when dealing with a clogged duct. These Avent breast shells can be very useful to keep clothes milk stain-free while nursing on the go. They’ll collect excess breast milk, and their gentle pressure helps to relieve engorgement.
Comfort breast shell set
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Before starting each feeding, it’s recommended that the mother gently massage her breast, working her way toward the nipple. This will help to stimulate milk flow before even beginning to nurse. Once finished with the feeding session, the mother can express any milk that is still in the breast with the clogged duct to ensure complete drainage.
Encouraging milk flow can help prevent clogged milk ducts, but there may be moments when mothers can’t be with their baby during feedings. Expressing milk manually during these times is key to promoting milk flow. Consider a breast pump that allows mothers to comfortably pump their milk anytime, anywhere.
It may be helpful to position the baby’s chin so that it is aimed towards the blocked duct. Breastfeeding this way will help the baby to focus his or her sucking on the blocked milk duct, potentially relieving the clog.
It can also be helpful for mothers to try different breastfeeding positions so that the baby can better extract all the milk from every area of the breast.
A warm compress can help to relieve some of the discomfort in the affected breast. Mothers can apply a warm, moist towel to the area of the clogged duct several times a day while gently massaging their breast.
One of the causes of clogged milk ducts is putting too much pressure on the breasts for an extended period of time. Tight clothes or bras can result in such pressure, which is why it’s important to wear loose-fitting clothes to help relieve a clogged duct.
Some mothers may also find clogged pores on their breasts, which loose-fitting clothes and bras can also help to resolve. Tighter clothes cause more sweating and can make it difficult for sweat to evaporate, causing clogged pores. Mothers should aim to wear loose-fitting clothes to help unclog both their pores and milk duct.
If trying these remedies doesn’t unclog the milk duct, it’s best advised to contact a doctor or lactation consultant to prevent it from becoming an infection.
In an ideal world, every mother would like to avoid clogged milk ducts altogether. But while there’s no sure-fire method for how to prevent blocked milk ducts, there are a few tips that might help.
Mothers shouldn’t panic if they experience a clogged milk duct. While this can be an uncomfortable and painful condition, it is very normal and will usually go away when immediately addressed.
We can answer questions like ‘what does a blocked milk duct feel like?’, but the internet is no substitute for professional medical care. For further information on how to clear a blocked milk duct, mothers should contact their doctor for support.
Find more information about other common breastfeeding issues and how mothers can overcome them.
1 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK148955/ 2 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3964351/ 3 https://www.healthywa.wa.gov.au/Articles/A_E/Blocked-milk-ducts aap.org: New Mother’s Guide to Breastfeeding, 3rd Edition (2017)
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