How to Clear a Clogged Milk Duct
The Best Tips and Tricks for Clearing a Clogged Milk Duct
After breastfeeding for over a year now, I’ve spent plenty of time clearing a clogged milk duct, and it isn’t fun. Although clogged ducts are common for breastfeeding moms, they can be a major pain (no pun intended). Here are my best tips and tricks for easily clearing a clogged milk duct.
What is a Clogged Milk Duct?
For me, a clogged duct always felt achy, only happened in one breast (at a time), and felt like a pebble was trapped in my boob. A clogged duct (or plugged duct) is exactly what it sounds like… a clog in the nipple pore (also known as a milk blister) or the ductal system of your breast.
Can a Clogged Milk Duct go Away on It’s Own?
While some clogged milk ducts can go away on their own by simply breastfeeding your baby or pumping, most will take a little extra effort on your end. You may also notice that your baby is fussy or irritated when you have a clogged duct because of the slower milk flow.
How to Clear a Clogged Milk Duct
Massage a Clogged Milk Duct
Always massage the area where you can feel the plugged duct. Like I said, it usually feels like a pebble (sometimes a rock) is stuck right under your skin. It can also feel warm to the touch. I always took two fingers and applied pressure right onto the problem area.
Use a Haakaa, Epsom Salt, and Hot Water to Clear the Clogged Milk Duct
I think one of the most effective ways to clear a clogged milk duct is to use the Haakaa and Epsom salt hack! I put about a tablespoon of Epsom salt and three tablespoons of hot water into my Haakaa and attach it to the affected breast. I keep it there for about 5-10 minutes and let the salt and hot water pull out the clog. If it doesn’t work on the first try, you can repeat this method up to four times a day.
Use a Hot Compress
Try using a hot, moist compress on the affected area. A hot water bottle or these breast therapy packs are great for plugged ducts. They hold heat a lot longer than just grabbing a washcloth and running it under hot water. I always used a hot compress for about 20 minutes or so while massaging the breast.
Take a Hot Shower
If you want to skip the hot compress and jump into the shower, that’s great too! Get the water extra hot (just the way all women like it, right) and stand with the water hitting the clogged duct. Give it a good massage while you’re in the shower. Honestly, this is a great excuse to take an extra-long , kid free, blazin’ hot shower.
Nurse and/or Pump
The more frequently you can empty the breast, the better. I typically combined all of these methods if I had a particularly pesky clog. I would grab a hot compress, massage, and pump at the same time. The only reason I would chose to pump instead of nurse is because it can be tricky to use the compress, massage your breast, and manage a tiny human at the same time. But, if you’re out and about and don’t have access to the shower or a compress, use that sweet little baby to empty the breast as completely as possible. It can definitely be a bit painful to nurse or pump with a clogged milk duct, but it really is the best way to fix the problem and alleviate pain.
Try the Hands and Knees Method
I’ve never actually tried this trick, but heard about it from a friend. What you do is lay your baby on the floor on their back, and then get onto your hands and knees with your breasts hanging over the baby. Let the baby nurse and let gravity work its magic. Sounds a little crazy, but I’ve heard it works wonders. The only reason I never tried is because I found out about this trick after I stopped getting clogged ducts (once we started nursing less and less).
Preventing a Clogged Milk Duct
The main culprit for a clogged milk duct is not removing enough milk over a certain period of time. For example, if you missed a feeding (or two), or had to skip a pumping session at work, this could easily cause a clogged milk duct. Try to make sure you you make up for any missed feedings or pumping sessions as soon as possible and always ease your way into cutting down on nursing time. For example, if your baby suddenly starts sleeping through the night, don’t immediately quit removing milk from your breasts through the nighttime hours. Start doing shorter and shorter pumping sessions each night until your body regulates to your baby’s new needs. Once Weston started sleeping through the night, I always made sure to pump from both sides right before I went to bed which usually gave me the opportunity to sleep comfortably through the night without my breasts getting too full. You have to listen to your own body and do what works for you!
Related Breastfeeding Posts:
- Breast Milk Oversupply? 6 Ways to Deal with the Issue
- 7 Lessons I Learned from my Lactation Consultant
- Haakaa Hacks – Tips and Tricks for Using the Silicone Pump
If you’re looking for the full guide to troubleshooting breastfeeding issues like mastitis, latching issues, milk blebs, thrush, and more, I highly suggest you check out Milkology. Milkology is an online breastfeeding course that covers everything you need to know about nursing your little one. It includes a full guide on how to solve common breastfeeding problems so that you can successfully reach your breastfeeding goals.
I hope some of these tricks help you unclog those ducts and let the milk run free. If you have any great solutions to a clogged duct, drop it in the comments below for future readers! Don’t forget to follow Coffee and Coos on Facebook and Instagram. I love to connect with other moms who are dealing with the same daily challenges (and triumphs) as me.
Quick and Easy Ways to Clear a Clogged Milk Duct
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