plugged milk duct

A plugged milk duct (also called a clogged duct) is a mass of milk or cells that cause the duct to become "stuck". It often happens to women who have an abundant milk supply.

How do you diagnose a plugged milk duct?

You may feel a hard bump on your breast, or have swelling and tenderness. You may see a red area on your breast, or it may look streaky. It may also feel warm to the touch. Or, you may not notice any external signs at all. Plugged ducts usually affect only one breast but there are exceptions.

What causes a plugged duct? 

The causes of plugged ducts are varied, but here are the most common:

• Pressure on the duct from ill fitting clothing or a bra (especially too tight or underwire bras) and even baby carriers that put pressure on the breast. 
• Nursing schedule changes (such as mom going back to work, or baby going on a breastfeeding strike), or the breast is not being emptied frequently or thoroughly enough, meaning Mom may have more milk than baby needs.

How do you treat a plugged milk duct?

Clogged ducts are uncomfortable but thankfully, there are several things you can do at home to treat it.

The most important treatment is to keep nursing. Some Moms are told that they have to wean their babies when they experience a plugged milk duct or mastitis, but this is false. Weaning would mean more pain and the simple plug could lead to a more serious infection.

Keep nursing your baby and offer the breast with the plugged duct first. Baby sucks with more vigor at the beginning of the nursing.

This may require some contortion, but try to "aim" the baby's chin towards the plugged duct. The reason this works is because her suction will be strongest in the area of the clogged duct. This might mean laying her on a bed and nursing her upside down, but you will likely get quick relief if you do this.

Get lots of rest! Some have said that clogged ducts are a symptom of Mom doing too much too fast with a baby. At the very least, stressful times or especially busy times (like vacations, when you have family in town, or holidays) are common times for Moms to experience plugged ducts so there seems to be a connection. Don't expect life to be normal after a new baby. If you're not breastfeeding, you won't have the benefit of those nice nursing hormones Oxytocin and Prolaction that help you deal with life's stresses.

More tips to clear a clogged duct:

• Use a warm compress (one of the microwavable rice or buckwheat packs are great) and gentle massage on the breast with the clogged duct.
• Get in the shower and aim the shower head on your sore breast. Get the water as hot as you can comfortably stand, then massage your breast. Start from high up on the chest and rub down, towards the nipple. You may see milk shoot out, or a stringy looking ribbon, or even a crystallized, dried milk clump if the duct clears out. As soon as possible after doing this, nurse your baby to empty the breast further.
• Loosen clothing and bra so there is less constriction on breasts while nursing. If you use underwire bras, switch to a soft cup style for awhile, or permanently if plugged ducts are an ongoing problem.

Once the blockage is gone, the hard lump will disappear and tenderness will go away. If the pain or swelling becomes worse or you have flu-like symptons, you may have mastitis .