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!
| Today | Monthly Record | |
|---|---|---|
| Topics | 1 | 0 |
| Posts | 0 | 1 |
Ask for Help
Make a Suggestion
Frequently Asked Questions
Bee Levels
Acronyms
Most Viewed Posts
Hellobee Gold
Hellobee Recipes
Hellobee Features
Hellobee Contests
Baby-led Weaning
Bento Boxes
Breastfeeding
Newborn Essentials
Parties
Postpartum Care Essentials
Sensory Play Activities
Sleep Training
Starting Solids Gear
Transitioning to Toddler Bed
All Series
Who We Are
About the Bloggers
About the Hostesses
Contributing Bloggers
Apply to Blog
Apply to Hostess
Submit a Guest Blog
Hellobee Buttons
How We Make Money
Community Policies
- Google Plus
- Stumbleupon
- Twitter
- Facebook
- Pinterest
- Favorite0
13 comments