Are you a mom that seems to be getting reoccurring clogged ducts? If so, you know these things can be a bugger, slow down milk flow, and hurt like crazy! You may even have had the misfortune of those nasty clogs turning into mastitis. Unfortunately, some moms are more prone to getting clogged ducts. Some moms will never get a clogged milk duct in their entire breastfeeding relationship. Others can’t stop getting them. Luckily, there are several steps we can take to take care of those nasty guys!
First of all, let’s talk about what is a clogged duct? A clogged duct can include one or more of the following symptoms:
- A lump anywhere from the size of a grain of rice to around the size of a marble located somewhere in the breast tissue
- Possible engorgement or swelling around the lump
- Pain, swelling, or general sensitivity or discomfort around the lump
- Pain in the area during letdown
- Milk plug/blister (bleb) at the opening of the nipple
Some clogged ducts are released easily with pumping or feeding. Some others, however, can “stick” around a lot longer and get increasingly more uncomfortable. Let’s look at some methods that can help remove these clogged ducts.
- Applying warm compresses to the area will help to alleviate discomfort. Using heat will help to soothe the breast soreness. Using heat pads like the Lansinoh TheraPearl Breast Therapy Essentials is a great tool.
- Applying sliced white potatoes to the affected area and wearing them in a bra for an hour will help to dilate the milk ducts to help move milk easier.
- Applying some diluted lavender oil to the area helps with decreasing swelling of the area and will help to allow milk to move easier.
- Using vibrations on the clog will help to break up the milk that is stuck to the milk ducts. This can be done with an electric toothbrush, a vibrator, or a lactation massager like this one.
- Frequent breast milk removal is also key. To unclog the milk duct, the milk needs to be continuously moving.
All of the above techniques can be helpful in reducing the number of clogged ducts you might be experiencing. One of my favorite tools to use is also a great over the counter supplement called lecithin. This can also be called sunflower lecithin. Some moms breast anatomy, or more specifically, her milk ducts may be laid out in a way where she is more prone to getting clogged ducts, especially in the same reoccurring areas of the breast. Lecithin helps to decrease the viscosity (stickiness) of the milk by increasing the percentage of polyunsaturated fatty acids in the milk. This is beneficial because it helps to prevent the breast ducts from getting plugged by increasing the polyunsaturated fatty acids in the milk and decreasing its stickiness. Taking lecithin for longer periods of time can also help to ensure that mom will not continue to get reoccurring clogged ducts as it can be a proactive measure to ensure that breast milk will continue to stay “less sticky.”
Below are links where you can purchase lecithin. As with any supplement, make sure you are speaking with a qualified healthcare provider or a certified lactation provider for proper dosing and to make sure that lecithin supplements are the right choice for you.