https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 04 May 2026 01:44:28 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/clogged-milk-duct-help#post-2381392 Tue, 08 Dec 2015 09:55:37 +0000 ineebee 2381392@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Sorry to hear this! I got recurring clogged ducts, so my LC told me to try a lecithin supplement, per KellyMom's directions. I've gotten two since, but they've resolved with just one nursing session! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/clogged-milk-duct-help#post-2381368 Tue, 08 Dec 2015 09:40:26 +0000 BabyBoecksMom 2381368@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When I got these, I would use a hand pump so I could hold it at the highest suction while pushing hard on that point. Eventually it would release, but sometimes it could take a few sessions. Also, sometimes I would end up feeling a little bruised afterward, and thinking that it was still there... but it was only because I had pushed so hard lol </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/clogged-milk-duct-help#post-2381364 Tue, 08 Dec 2015 09:37:39 +0000 blackbird 2381364@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had one the other week that came and went for a solid week. hurt so bad. I would keep working on the clog. I had success taking a ton of lecithin, laying face down in a hot bath tub for a good 30 minutes, then hand expressing. It was incredibly painful but it was easier to hand express in the hot water and I used a little hair conditioner to keep my fingers from pulling the skin. It was kind of nasty because I got it loose and all the water got cloudy, but i was in so much pain before. It was then bruised for a few days after. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/clogged-milk-duct-help#post-2381335 Tue, 08 Dec 2015 09:15:06 +0000 abmamma 2381335@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsADS: if you don't feel sick, you are probably better off working the clog. I doubt the dr will tell you anything different in terms of how to treat and sounds like you may not need abx yet. Sorry you have such a stubborn clog! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/clogged-milk-duct-help#post-2381242 Tue, 08 Dec 2015 06:49:52 +0000 MrsADS 2381242@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hey guys. Bumping this up again. It seemed to get better, and I felt better so I didn't call the Dr. I woke up today with horrible pain on that paRte of my breast, way worse than before. It's like aching plus feels like it is on fire. And even with nursing, massage, heat etc it feels like there ate 3 hard peas inside my breast. </p> <p>I don't feel sick, no fever, but it really hurts. Would you call the Dr or just keep working on the clog? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/clogged-milk-duct-help#post-2379247 Sun, 06 Dec 2015 09:48:17 +0000 Littlebit7 2379247@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsADS: your ob/midwife. Not a dumb question. I actually had to call after hours to my ob on call. I felt bad for bothering them but knew I'd need abx and didn't want to wait till the next day.<br /> You can try alternating ibuprofen and Tylenol also. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/clogged-milk-duct-help#post-2379246 Sun, 06 Dec 2015 09:46:18 +0000 MrsADS 2379246@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This may be a dumb question but who do you call for treatment of mastitis? Your OB/midwife? Family doctor? When I take 2 ibuprofen I feel better.... when it wears off I feel crappy again. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/clogged-milk-duct-help#post-2379242 Sun, 06 Dec 2015 09:42:08 +0000 Littlebit7 2379242@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsADS: I'm going through this right now. I started abx on Wednesday night. 102 fever, aches, chills feeling like a truck hit me etc etc.<br /> I didn't feel like I had a true clog either. I actually think an infection might have started through an abrasion near my nipple from the pump. Red streaks and pain all the way into my armpit. Ack. But the abx cleared that up within 48 hours. I know you are trying to avoid them but all of a sudden I was really bad, really fast and I could see this spiraling out of control.</p> <p>My LC suggested to clear away from the clog first so around your lymph nodes in your armpit. Then massage the clog and slowly towards your nipple. Maybe start lechithin too (sunflower based, Amazon sells it.).</p> <p>Can you pump? You might have better luck massaging and manipulating the clog without a baby attached </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/clogged-milk-duct-help#post-2379235 Sun, 06 Dec 2015 09:18:48 +0000 Mrs. J 2379235@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsADS: it sounds like it could be mastitis. Unfortunately, I feel like that almost every time I have a clogged duct...no warning before feeling horrendous. With LO 1, it was very bad...I had the chills and high fever etc, so I called my midwife and got antibiotics twice. With LO 2, I just tried to manage it for a bit, and ended up not needing to call. Rest, ibuprofen, pump/nurse a lot. If you do get a fever and it lasts like 24 hrs or so, I might call. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/clogged-milk-duct-help#post-2379213 Sun, 06 Dec 2015 08:36:02 +0000 MrsADS 2379213@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Unfortunately I am not sure any of these have worked. I don't know if I can really feel the clog (seems like it's pretty deep in my breast). But the pain isn't better and this morning I have red streaks on that side of the breast. And starting last night I've been really achy and feeling bad like I'm getting sick.... but I don't have a fever. Could this mastitis? I don't want to take antibiotics unless I really need them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/clogged-milk-duct-help#post-2379092 Sat, 05 Dec 2015 21:17:49 +0000 Mrs. J 2379092@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Heat before you express and ice after! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/clogged-milk-duct-help#post-2379078 Sat, 05 Dec 2015 20:54:59 +0000 babybean404 2379078@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I saw an LC a few weeks ago when I had a stubborn clogged duct, red skin near the clog, and a fever. She told me new research has come out that suggests ice instead of heat! I put cold packs in my bra and massaged the way she showed me, and I was able to get through it without getting mastitis. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/clogged-milk-duct-help#post-2379068 Sat, 05 Dec 2015 20:37:40 +0000 gilmoregirl 2379068@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Massaging the clog while pumping is what always worked best for me. And ibuprofen for the pain. Sometimes after the clog was gone, I'd still have some residual pain for a bit. It felt kind of like a bruise but on the inside. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/clogged-milk-duct-help#post-2379039 Sat, 05 Dec 2015 19:32:12 +0000 hellobeeboston 2379039@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I keep getting that. So annoying. It takes a while to get less sore. Do you have a heating pad? Keep some heat on it.... Along with all other suggestions! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/clogged-milk-duct-help#post-2379032 Sat, 05 Dec 2015 19:24:27 +0000 JennyG 2379032@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Dangle feeds and lots of hot shower massages. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/clogged-milk-duct-help#post-2379027 Sat, 05 Dec 2015 19:11:08 +0000 Greentea 2379027@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Don't worry! I got them everyday!</p> <p>Nurse nurse nurse, start baby on that breast. Try different positions. Hot hot showers are good! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/clogged-milk-duct-help#post-2379021 Sat, 05 Dec 2015 18:49:48 +0000 SweetiePie 2379021@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I got them a lot. The things that helped me was dangling my boobs in bowls of warm water and doing compressions (I guess similar idea to dangle feeding, which I could never accomplish).<br /> I second lecithin. I started taking it and it really helped to prevent or at least lessen severity of clogged ducts. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/clogged-milk-duct-help#post-2378934 Sat, 05 Dec 2015 14:03:17 +0000 abmamma 2378934@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsADS: I get these a lot unfortunately. Lots of good suggestions here. For me, the best is heat and massage while pumping. I like to wet a disposable nursing pad and microwave. Apply to the spot where the clog is and then massage with the end of an electric toothbrush or the like while pump going. Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/clogged-milk-duct-help#post-2378924 Sat, 05 Dec 2015 13:23:00 +0000 MenagerieMama 2378924@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Warm compresses! My favorite was rice in a sock that I microwaved. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/clogged-milk-duct-help#post-2378907 Sat, 05 Dec 2015 12:41:20 +0000 MrsSRS 2378907@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Dangle feed! In the carseat worked for me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/clogged-milk-duct-help#post-2378899 Sat, 05 Dec 2015 12:01:02 +0000 Ms.Badger 2378899@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I second the dangle and feed. It's the only thing that works for me. I still have tenderness for awhile after the clog is gone so pain isn't the best indicator.<br /> Going forward you may want to start taking Lecithin supplements, it's work wonders for my frequent clogged ducts. Good luck </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/clogged-milk-duct-help#post-2378897 Sat, 05 Dec 2015 11:45:49 +0000 stratosphere 2378897@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Good suggestions here already. I got a few of these during the first months of BFing and massage and heat (I used a hot water bottle and a wash cloth soaked in hot water and regularly refreshed) while pumping (and also frequent nursing on that side) worked. One of them was quite deep and that was the hardest and took about two days to resolve--was so hard to get pressure down to that one while massaging. And the massaging HURT!!! I almost couldn't do it. But that's what cleared the block. I managed never to get mastitis despite several clogged ducts, so it's not inevitable. Good luck!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/clogged-milk-duct-help#post-2378887 Sat, 05 Dec 2015 11:06:27 +0000 kbm1026 2378887@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just went through this last weekend! I used the base of an electric toothbrush against the clog while I pumped - pressing down and massaging it into the clog. It was uncomfortable but worked! Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/clogged-milk-duct-help#post-2378886 Sat, 05 Dec 2015 11:06:25 +0000 oliviaoblivia 2378886@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Dangle feed, massage and heat.</p> <p>I laid the baby on the bed and crawled over her on all fours. DH massaged my boob while the baby nursed.</p> <p>Hope it clears soon! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/clogged-milk-duct-help#post-2378885 Sat, 05 Dec 2015 11:02:13 +0000 MrsADS 2378885@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't want to get mastitis! I nursed LO (3 months old) about 10pm last night. He woke up at 5:45 am, so I went almost 8 hours without pumping. I pumped after I fed him. Pumped 8 oz from the left (!) but noticed I have a very painful/tender spot that feels like a clogged duct. It's on the outside of my left breast, but feels kind of deep inside, if that makes sense. Almost over by my back.</p> <p>Since then I've nursed the baby 2x on that side, took a hot shower and tried to massage it in the hot water, nothing is working. If anything it's hurting worse. </p> <p>Any suggestions I can try? </p>