https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 25 Apr 2026 13:20:37 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-tips-on-how-to-unclog-milk-ducts#post-388760 Fri, 09 Nov 2012 11:11:46 +0000 Mrsbells 388760@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Fix: I know you are pumping exclusively but are you able breastfeed? Because if you keep breastfeeding on the side with the clog every meal time and always pump the other side, it will definitely get the clog out. This worked for me </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-tips-on-how-to-unclog-milk-ducts#post-388740 Fri, 09 Nov 2012 11:05:43 +0000 T-Mom 388740@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just wanted to add about the poking with a needle. Only do this if you know for sure where to poke, like if you see a white head. If you don't see it, it may take some time for it to come to the surface. And when poking, poike and pull outwoard, not inward to avoid contamination by bacteria. You can also do an epsom salt soak or olive oil on the nipple to soften up any surface blockages. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-tips-on-how-to-unclog-milk-ducts#post-388496 Fri, 09 Nov 2012 09:20:11 +0000 Clementine 388496@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Nursing, warm compress, and worst case scenario (this worked the best for me) I just had to unclog it by poking through the clog with a sterilized needle. Not fun, but definitely helped! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-tips-on-how-to-unclog-milk-ducts#post-388469 Fri, 09 Nov 2012 09:07:37 +0000 betsyboop 388469@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Also, do you massage while you pump? I apply pressure to the clogged duct while pumping. But even when I don't have clogged ducts, I always massage, which I think has helped prevent mastitis (fingers crossed). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-tips-on-how-to-unclog-milk-ducts#post-388431 Fri, 09 Nov 2012 08:50:52 +0000 autumnlove 388431@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I always used a hot water bottle! Hope it gets better soon! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-tips-on-how-to-unclog-milk-ducts#post-388415 Fri, 09 Nov 2012 08:44:50 +0000 mrs. wagon 388415@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just wrote an email to a friend about this! Here are my tips:</p> <p>Heat, Massage, Nurse/Pump. At least once every two hours. Repeat repeat repeat until the clog is cleared!</p> <p>Before you do anything, examine the nipple itself and see if you can find a milk blister (like a whitehead) and pop it with a sterile needle, or a small spot of dried milk you can flick away. If either of these happen, the milk will come spurting out and you will get the BEST cooling feeling of relief. It feels like your boob is chewing spearmint gum.</p> <p>HEAT: Try to take hot hot showers and massage where the plug is. Also, hot compress... the best way is to use a disposable diaper. Run hot hot water all over the inside of the diaper and apply that side to the breast. A diaper stays hot a lot longer than a towel. </p> <p>MASSAGE: Massage in a downward motion toward the nipple while applying heat either with compress or in the shower. Do this for at least 10 minutes before nursing or pumping.</p> <p>NURSE/PUMP: Empty your breasts at least once every two hours. If you're nursing, have Maddie start on the side with the clog every time. The hungrier she is, the harder she will suck. Massage as you're nursing or pumping. Try dangle feeding (put Maddie on a Boppy or pillow and dangle your breast over her mouth while standing over her to let gravity help). </p> <p>Keep at this routine until you're sure the clog is gone. Sometimes you can't feel a clog (usually mine are deep inside the breast so there's no red spot or bulge, but it's definitely painful) and you might have residual pain / achiness in the area of the clog for about 24-48 hours after it's cleared. </p> <p>If you start feeling chills and body aches and you have a fever, call your OB immediately! If you get mastitis you need to start on antibiotics ASAP. </p> <p>Also, if you're on antibiotics and you're nursing, you gotta watch out for thrush. You can avoid this by taking probiotics. </p> <p>Lots of info on kellymom.com. Most of my info is from there. I had a LOT of clogged ducts with WJ. Not as many this time around so I wasn't as vigilant about the clogged ducts, and therefore got mastitis this time around! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-tips-on-how-to-unclog-milk-ducts#post-388404 Fri, 09 Nov 2012 08:37:39 +0000 betsyboop 388404@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Sounds like you're doing the right thing. For the really bad clogs I massage in a hot shower and pump immediately afterwards. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-tips-on-how-to-unclog-milk-ducts#post-388403 Fri, 09 Nov 2012 08:36:12 +0000 cvbee 388403@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Olive oil on a nursing pad on your nipple, and keep that heat on all the time, and when it's time for baby to drink make baby use the clogged side first. And be patient. I always find it doesn't work right away, but does within 24 hours. I don't do massage, I find that just hurts. And I do the dangle-boob-feed. I've had clogged ducts 3 times and each time it didn't go away until I did the magic olive oil thing. Might just be a coincidence but it's worth a try! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-tips-on-how-to-unclog-milk-ducts#post-388393 Fri, 09 Nov 2012 08:30:35 +0000 Mrs. Fix 388393@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My LO is almost 8 weeks and I exclusively pump. I came down with a bad case of mastitis during week two that needed antibiotics. I can tell I have a clogged duct and don't want it to get worse. I have been applying heat and massage. Any other tips/tricks? </p>