Treating A Clogged Milk Duct

Breastfeeding is a time in which a mother can bond with her baby and provide him with all the nutrients he needs in order to develop. However, one of the main issues which come from breastfeeding is clogged milk ducts. Should any nursing mother discover an irritating lump on her breast, it is important to have this checked immediately in order to eliminate further complications, such as mastitis.

For many mothers, breastfeeding is a happy time and they are more than willing to feed their baby in this way-even if they are experiencing some form of discomfort around their nipples. Often they may come to conclusion that this is down to their child suckling frequently but often, this pain can stem from clogged milk ducts.

A clogged milk duct is an area of the mother’s breast where the milk flow has been obstructed. A clogged milk duct will usually present as a hard lump on the breast that is slightly painful, is swollen and may even present as a reddened area. A clogged milk duct can occur for any number of reasons such as the position the baby has been in during feeding or if a feed had been missed but regardless of the reason for the obstruction, it is important to not ignore these symptoms. If disregarded, a clogged milk duct can result in the mother experiencing a low-grade fever or in a worse case scenario; they may contract mastitis or an inflammation of the breast for which they will require medical attention.

Although this may cause concern to many new and expectant mothers, a clogged milk duct is relatively easy to treat.

Take A Break
The first step a mother should make is to take a break in regards to lots of rest, but she should still nurse her baby during this time. It is advised to offer your baby the affected breast as they will suckle more aggressively at the start of feeding and try to encourage baby to feed on the breast for as long as possible.

Change Position
Whilst offering the affected breast to baby, the mother should also try placing baby in different positions during his or her feed. This will help baby to drain the breast milk ducts more thoroughly, rather than just concentrating on those that he can reach in one particular position.

Breast Massage
It is also advantageous for the mother to gently massage the affected area with her fingers both before and after feeding. Using circular motions, going clockwise for the left breast and counter clockwise for the right; these massages will help to loosen up the clogged milk duct.

Add A Hot Compress
The mother can also try applying a hot compress t the breast, both before and after breastfeeding. An effective hot compress to use is a rice sock which can be easily heated up in the microwave, and will remain hotter for longer, compared to a hot towel. A hot compress can also be used when massaging the affected breast to further loosen up a clogged milk duct.

A clogged milk duct can present at anytime during a mother breastfeeding relationship with her baby. Although it may appear to be a somewhat minor issue at a first glance, if ignored a clogged milk duct can cause severe issues at a later date. By checking her breasts regularly while breastfeeding and using massages and hot compresses, a mother can not only help to relieve any clogged milk ducts that present, but also be able to eliminate the chances of this issue occurring.

For more information on clogged milk ducts , visit Babies Base