Occasionally, the milk ducts in the breast (small “tubes” that carry milk from the milk making cells to the areola) get plugged. The result is a tender, and sometimes red lump in the areola. A plugged duct is caused by the breast not being “emptied” effectively. Most often, plugged ducts occur in the early weeks and months of nursing as your body is getting used to meeting the demands of your baby. If your body makes too much milk and your baby doesn’t drink it all, a plug can develop. Regardless of why you have plugged ducts, they can be very uncomfortable.
It is important to take care of a plugged duct as soon as possible to avoid the duct becoming infected and requiring antibiotics. Here are a few suggestions to help relieve a plugged duct:
One of the most ironic things about nursing nuisances is that the only way to solve the problem is to keep nursing! When you take your baby to nurse, nurse first on the affected side while baby’s suck is strongest.
Drain the effective breast better by pointing the chin to the effected area. The pressure from the lower jaw will help loosen the plug if not dislodge it.
Try a pressure massage on the area of your breast that is swollen and painful. This may help to loosen the plug. With pressure massage, simply press more and more firmly with the heel of your hand to move the plug in the duct down closer to the nipple.
Use warmth to help the milk flow. If you can, nurse your baby while applying warm compresses to your breast. Even if it doesn’t loosen the plug, it does help with the pain. To make a warm compress: fill an old sock with rice and sew it shut; microwave it for about 90 seconds and you will have a nice compress without the mess of warm wash cloths!
Take a hot shower and run warm water over the affected breast. Again, at the very least, this will help with the pain.
Take lecithin. Studies have shown that taking a tablespoon a day of oral granular lecithin or a capsule of 1,200 mg lecithin capsule three to four times a day is helpful in treating plugged milk ducts.
Plugged ducts can be painful but if treated promptly you can avoid something more serious such as mastitis. It is most important to remember not to quit nursing, as that will likely worsen the problem. If you need more help and assistance, contact a lactation consultant or your local La Leche League Leader.
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