Clogged Milk Duct

[MommytoAydin]

I have a clogged milk duct and it is very painful. It has been hurting/clogged for about 12 hours now...Any advice on how to soothe the pain?

[MommaC]

For pain, I was told frozen peas or chilled cabbage leaves (and Tylenol, of course). To help unclog it, I was told hot packs and massage. My favorite hot packs were dishcloths completely soaked in the hottest water my kitchen faucet could offer. I put them in gallon baggies and wrapped another dishcloth around the outside and held them to my chest. For me, the hot packs seemed to help the pain as well. I supposed massage in a hot shower couldn't hurt as long as you're not in there too long.

[myboysmom]

I ended up getting an infection both times I had that happen to me, so I was put on antibiotics. But in the meantime, Tylenol, and icing it helped. Just don't ice for very long, because the milk will temporarily freeze in the breast! I hope you feel better soon.

[MommytoAydin]

Thank you so much for the replies, it was greatly appreciated. I think I'm going to make an appointment with my doctor since I have them so often.

[MommaC]

Good idea--I did end up with a horrible case of mastitis which resulted in dehydration and hospitalization. I hope it all goes well for you!

[TrubearJ]

When I got mastitis, I used hot packs and I also pumped to empty the breast completely.

[moppet]

If you think you might have mastitis do NOT delay in getting treatment. I've had it twice (same baby, I just seem to be prone) and not only is it no fun, it can lead to an abscess in your breast. Trust me, the treatment for that is something you do NOT want to deal with, so go see your doctor at the first sign of mastitis.

[lilzoot]

I hope you have found relief by now. I have had a terrible time with clogged ducts that just do not want to release even with massage while in a hot shower, icing, pumping/breastfeeding to empty it out. I went to the doctor on a couple of occasions to make sure it wasn't mastitis mostly since it would persist for over a week. I found (I know this sounds weird) that if I lay my daughter down on the floor and I feed her while kneeling over her it finally would release after feeding that way a couple times. It worked great and was such a relief. At least its something to try if you're at wits end.

[kfiedler]

When I had mine I was told to massage the area lightly that is clogged. Massage downward in the direction of the nipple, it does hurt to start, but it goes away, it worked for me My hubby liked it too. (LOL) Man those suckers hurt!