https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 11 Apr 2026 23:00:16 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/clogged-duct-tips#post-563144 Wed, 13 Feb 2013 08:54:10 +0000 purrpletulips 563144@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No experience but I've heard this helps: lay baby on their back (might be hard with an 11m old) and lean over them to nurse so that gravity can help release the clog. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/clogged-duct-tips#post-563004 Wed, 13 Feb 2013 02:38:05 +0000 Mrs Green Grass 563004@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Everyone always says "massage" but you really have to push on the clog as hard as you possibly can until it releases. Super uncomfortable! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/clogged-duct-tips#post-562921 Tue, 12 Feb 2013 22:39:15 +0000 owlmom 562921@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm clog prone, and some of mine lasted several days. Some of them would partially clear and then take a little longer to completely release, so I didn't always experience immediate relief. BUT, I never got mastitis. Typically if you're going to get mastitis, it will happen in the first few months of nursing. Being stressed about it will only make it worse, so try not to worry about it (easier said than done!). I personally wouldn't add pumping sessions - it's likely that your LO is starting to take a little less per feeding and your plug is the result of being slightly over-supplied already. Like pps, warm compresses, warm showers, hand expressing, and massaging toward the nipple, especially while feeding, worked best for me. Good luck! Hope it clears soon! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/clogged-duct-tips#post-562915 Tue, 12 Feb 2013 22:32:54 +0000 BabyBoecksMom 562915@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I pumped on the highest setting I could and squeezed the crap out of it until I finally felt it release (and it was evident by the milk shooting out and my boob getting super floppy)</p> <p>Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/clogged-duct-tips#post-562893 Tue, 12 Feb 2013 22:13:13 +0000 mama_byrd 562893@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I remember it being hell for one day, sore on day two (best advice above and often baby is more efficient at clearing duct than pumping). Mildly sore on day 3, but I think that was mostly because I would massage the heck out of the clogged area. </p> <p>I remember one time it happened, I looked clogged duct relief online to remind myself what to do for relief and I saw the recommendation to position your baby in the direction of the clog (so if it was a duct clogged near the bottom of your breast from too tight bra, you would lay on the bed and have your baby lie over your shoulder to nurse). Sounds weird but it totally worked! Worth looking up anyways... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/clogged-duct-tips#post-562828 Tue, 12 Feb 2013 21:27:10 +0000 rachiecakes 562828@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would use a heating pad/hit bath/pump like a mf'er - if I saw the white dot and it expanded if I squeezed, I could take a sterilized needle &amp; unclog it.<br /> Hope it clears up ASAP! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/clogged-duct-tips#post-562826 Tue, 12 Feb 2013 21:21:28 +0000 SAHM0811 562826@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>for an extra-long lasting warm compress, place some rice in a sock, tie it up in a knot, and microwave it for a bit til warm. Place it in your bra where you think you're backed up. Keep doing this throughout the day, plus nursing and pumping as much as possible, and it should clear up in a day or two! good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/clogged-duct-tips#post-562813 Tue, 12 Feb 2013 21:17:26 +0000 mamimami 562813@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I guess mine wasn't very serious but I massaged the heck out of it in the shower and hand expressed and in about an hour I cleared it. It was the most satisfying experience! Like popping a huge zit LOL. One minute my boob was half rock hard and nothin was coming out with the pump and the next it was spraying out. The next day it felt a little funny but fine once I pumped. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/clogged-duct-tips#post-562603 Tue, 12 Feb 2013 18:57:31 +0000 Cchoi4 562603@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>mine would take about 1-1.5 days. It really is true about the warm compresses, warm baths, keep massaging (hard if you need to). Sometimes I would see a tiny white dried speck of milk and once that was removed, milk would come shooting out! (sorry if that was TMI). There is usually immediate relief. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/clogged-duct-tips#post-562551 Tue, 12 Feb 2013 17:55:12 +0000 SleepyMonkey 562551@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hot compress to the area before and during nursing/pumping, very firm massage towards the nipple while nursing or pumping and during a hot shower. I didn't feel immediate relief with mine but it was sore the next day. But I wasn't working yet so I was able to focus on resolving it all day. Sorry you are going thru it! Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/clogged-duct-tips#post-562549 Tue, 12 Feb 2013 17:54:30 +0000 Bao 562549@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It took about 24 hours for mine to clear up and for me to feel better. I massaged while LO nursed and took a hot shower...other than that though, I didn't do anything else. No additional pumping at all. I'm sure it is best if you do pump often though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/clogged-duct-tips#post-562539 Tue, 12 Feb 2013 17:30:24 +0000 creativemomma15 562539@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hey Ladies,</p> <p>Almost 11 months into breastfeeding and I think I have a clogged duct. The nurse at my OB/GYN said to pump or nurse every 2 hours (DS usually eats every 3-4 hours, only 5 times a day), use warm compresses, take hot showers, massage, etc...</p> <p>How long did it take to clear up for you? Any other tips? Also... for the WOHM, what did you do at work when you had a clogged duct/mastitis? Did you get up in the middle of the night to pump more often? </p> <p>I am feeling overwhelmed by this and on top of it all, we were going to start weaning out a few feedings in the next few weeks and I feel like I have no clue what all this pumping is going to do to my supply.</p> <p>ETA: Did you feel immediate relief when it came unclogged? </p>