LO is 7 weeks old and I have a plugged duct for the third time since he has been born. The first time I got one I was BFing and it killed my supply, causing DS to go on a nursing strike. I have been EPing since then and I have had two more, both of which happened this week!
Why does this keep happening? It hurts like a bitch and my already low supply keeps taking a hit.
hostess / papaya / 10219 posts
I have gotten a few too... I think some people are prone to them but not sure why.
pomegranate / 3003 posts
Ouch! I'm so, so sorry. Excuse my ignorance, but how do you know when you have a clogged duct? What does it feel like, exactly?
coconut / 8234 posts
I had recurring clogged ductsand it was definitely a pain. Sometimes the way I slept would cause one. Sometimes pumping would or when I wasn't completely drained after a nursing/pumping session and went too long between sessions. I also noticed that when my nipples were too dry I would get them, so I made sure to exfoliate and put lanolin on them. I also started taking lecithin because someone on HB mentioned that it helped.
Some people are just more prone. to them which is a bummer.
honeydew / 7488 posts
@rahlyrah: some people swear by lecithin supplements to make the milk less thick and prone to clogging. I think you can find it with the vitamins. http://kellymom.com/nutrition/vitamins/lecithin/
Also you could pay attention to your diet and decreases fatty foods as those tend to make your milk thicker. I was really prone to clogged ducts too. It would be the same one over and over again. Sorry you are going through this!
papaya / 10473 posts
Ouch 
My LC thinks the culprits for mine are sleeping on my stomach and sports bras and/or too-tight nursing bras. Not sure if that gives you any leads but eliminating those things helped me!
honeydew / 7586 posts
@deerylou: My breast gets hard around the area of the clog (usually around my armpit) and it is sore to the touch. Sometimes, it gets so bad that I can barely lift my arm. My pumping output decreases pretty drastically as well. Luckily, I've been able to massage/pump/heat them out within a day or two. It is pretty painful in the meantime though!
@mrsjazz: I haven't been using Lanolin since I started EPing. I will give that a go to see if it helps.
@T-Mom: Thanks! I will try it out. 
@betsyboop: How do you massage while pumping? Both of my hands are occupied by holding the flanges. Even if I use a bra, it covers up my entire breast. Do you just do one at a time?
@grizz: I sleep on my stomach. I also wear sports bras pretty frequently. I suppose it is time to invest in some new bras.
coconut / 8234 posts
@rahlyrah: Do you think you can try to stop sleeping on your stomach for a little bit?
coconut / 8305 posts
If I slept on my stomach I got clogged ducts, everytime... I just couldn't do it. 
pomegranate / 3003 posts
Shucks. Despite my big boobs, I'm a tummy sleeper. Good to know, though. Feel better, @rahlyrah!
coconut / 8234 posts
@runsyellowlites: Yup. I slept on my stomach one night and woke up the next day with clogged ducts in both breasts. So, I've only slept on my stomach once since I was 20 weeks pregnant!
grapefruit / 4006 posts
@rahlyrah: get the simple wishes hands free pumping bra so you can massage while you pump!
grapefruit / 4819 posts
Lecithin, lecithin, lecithin! I was getting clogged ducts all the time as well, and it sucked majorly, so after doing some research, I went out and bought some soy lecithin. I added a tablespoon to my cereal every morning and never had a clogged duct after that.
Well, no. I stopped taking it when we went overseas and a week later, I had another clogged duct. I stopped taking it altogether when LO was around 8 months and only feeding 4-5 times per day and that was fine. We weaned at 13.5 months and I never got a clogged duct in that time.
Seriously, try it. I swear by the stuff!
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