So I've been dealing with my first episode of plugged ducts in about 4.5 months of breastfeeding & pumping at work... boo! 
On Thursday & Friday, I think I managed to get most of the blockage out, sitting in a hot bath and really kneading the heck out of my boob.
Now that area is flat (no more lumps), but a little firm and really tender- like I got punched in the boob. Is this normal for a plugged duct that has cleared, or is this a sign that it's still there?
cantaloupe / 6131 posts
They are sore for a day or two after the clog clears. One thing that really helped this last bout of mastitis I had was to rub my nipples with a damp washcloth and exfoliate any dry milk or skin. I was already feeling better but that unclogged something and milk came shooting out.
grapefruit / 4006 posts
I found that the spot would feel sore for a day or two after i got the clog out. But it should be soft and feel like the rest of your boob. If it is firm, it still might be in there.
pomegranate / 3716 posts
When my ducts were clogged the other week, my breasts felt warm to the touch, and tender, including the area leading under my armpit. Those symptoms went away after about 3-4 days, which made me think my ducts weren't plugged anymore. Lots of heat packs and kneaded the heck out of them!
apricot / 409 posts
Ugh plugged ducts are the worst! I got them for the first time after going back to work. After I got the clog out my boob would be tender and feel sort of bruised for a couple days. If yours is still firm it may still be there. It should be as soft as the other boob. Its soo frustrating. I found lots of hand expressing along with the massage helped.
apricot / 435 posts
Thanks, everybody! Ugh, I think it's probably gone, it can just be so hard to tell what's a plug, and what's just bruised, tender areas from the massage! I bruise so easily, so I'm sure that by tomorrow, I'm going to be black & blue, but at least the plugged area is feeling pretty empty.
Just continuing the massage and nursing every couple of hours to get things moving again. I'm not happy, but DD is thrilled to be getting all of these little snacks every so often!
But yeah, this stuff blows!
pear / 1547 posts
For me it was when I wasn't questioning it anymore! I kept thinking it had gotten better and would talk myself into it but then would flare up again. When it was gone there was no question! A little sore but that firmness was gone and it felt like my boob was back! I second the exfoliation - and warm compresses with a rice sock are the best!
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