As someone with experience of having clogged milk duct over and over again for countless time (at least more than 30 times!) until later I figured it out, or my son figured it out, I’m confident that I know a thing<\/a> or two that can help you.<\/p>\n Clogged milk duct is a condition where a blockage in a milk duct results in poor or sufficient drainage of the duct. This, in turns, results in milk being built up behind the blockage<\/p>\n The longer you have clogged milk duct, the more milk being stuck inside the breast<\/a>, the more tension in the breast.<\/p>\n The clogged milk can form into lumps all over the ducts<\/a>, causing serious pain for us mamas. In worst condition, you might get inflammation, fever, mastitis and abscess<\/p>\n What clogs milk ducts? And any tips for clogged milk duct relief?<\/p>\n Clogged milk ducts are formed when milk accumulates and blocks the duct. There are some reasons that milk can accumulate:<\/strong><\/p>\n Mama has a lot of milk and the baby cannot drink<\/a> it all<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/span><\/li>\n Baby has a weak latch, or doesn\u2019t latch properly<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/span><\/li>\n Uncomfortable feeding position, causing pressure on the breasts<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/span><\/li>\n Since the clogged milk ducts occur when milk accumulates in the duct, you need to clear the duct often. <\/p>\n As your infant wants milk every 2 to 3 hours, you will need to clear the duct every 2 – 3 hours through breastfeeding or pumping<\/a>.<\/p>\n To prevent and relieve clogged milk duct, you need to do everything that prevents milk from accumulating.<\/p>\n If you breastfeed, make sure that your little one empties both breasts. Some signs that indicate your little one already empty the breast are:<\/p>\n If you pump your milk, your breasts are empty when you don’t feel any pressure and your breasts become soft and light.<\/p>\n Your breasts will always create more milk even after your baby<\/a> empty it. So use the signs above to estimate if your breasts are empty. Do not try to squeeze your nipples, because the milk always comes out.<\/p>\n After breastfeeding or pumping session, there might be germs or bacteria in your baby’s mouth or your hands, fingers or pump can get into your nipples, these germs or bacteria can go inside the duct, causing the inflammation and creating lumps and clogged milk ducts.<\/p>\n So you want to clean your nipples and protect them all the time, not from your baby but from the germs and bacteria.<\/p>\n Wash your nipples thoroughly with warm water, avoid using soap as soap can cause dry, crack or irritated skin. Use a warm cloth to dry your breast after washing.<\/p>\n Make sure you double check your nipples well to avoid any thread or fabrics or a tiny cotton ball is left on the nipples.<\/p>\n What I did was, I washed my nipples with warm water, used a warm damp cotton pad to dry them and then applied Medela Cream Purelan 100<\/a> on my nipples. I discovered the Purelan 100 on the day I had cracked nipples<\/p>\n That Purelan 100 helped to soothe the skin, soften it, cured the cracked nipples after only a few days, and I feel that it also creates a protection shield for my nipples.<\/p>\n What’s more, the Purelan 100 is made from 100% sheep fat, which is safe for babies, so you don\u2019t have to wash it off before feeding your little one.<\/p>\n A diet that is rich in saturated fat (like fat cuts of pork, beef or lamb, chicken skin, whole-fat dairy products\u2026) and poor water consumption can increase the risk of having clogged milk ducts.<\/p>\n Also depending on each person’s condition, some certain foods can increase that risk too.<\/p>\n In my experience, I seemed to have blocked milk ducts every time I overeat something that is too spicy, or I don’t eat enough veggies.<\/p>\n Generally speaking, mommies should have a healthy balanced diet and a lot of water. Drink more water than your non-feeding usual self. <\/p>\n Experts recommend drinking about 1\/2 to 3\/4 ounce of water for each pound of your bodyweight.<\/p>\n Water helps to support your body as your body needs a lot of water to produce milk, and lots of water also helps to dilute the milk, reducing the clogged milk ducts risk.<\/p>\n You breastfeed your baby, then clean your nipples and the breast pump<\/a>, and then use the breast pump to get the rest of the milk out<\/a>.<\/p>\n Take note though, the more often you pump and empty your breasts, the more milk you will produce. So if you don’t want to keep producing too much milk, don’t completely empty your breasts.<\/p>\n Pump your breasts until you feel they are light, but don’t completely empty them.<\/p>\n Wrong latching position, improper suction will cause trouble for your baby to latch onto your breasts.<\/p>\n This can result in your breasts not being emptied properly, increasing the risk of having clogged milk ducts. Besides, if not resolve quickly, wrong latching can cause nipple irritation, nipple pain and upset your baby.<\/p>\n You might have to ask a doctor to instruct you how to latch, but there are some signs that you are latching right:<\/strong><\/p>\n Some signs that indicate you don’t latch properly:<\/strong><\/p>\n I have written a guide on how to find the best nursing bras here<\/a>.<\/p>\n It is very tempting to shrug your shoulders and stay in bed for a little more while, your nipples are sore and you don’t feel like pumping right now.<\/p>\n Yes, I feel it too. Sometimes my little one slept well at night and it already passed the feeding time but he was still sleeping? What should I do?<\/p>\n Should I wake him up or just stay in bed? I stayed in bed a few times, I got away safely a few times too, but at other times, I had to pay a price for it later.<\/p>\n Frequent skipping your schedule will put you at a higher risk of developing clogged milk ducts.<\/p>\n Trust me, the pain when having clogged milk ducts makes you want to say goodbye to breastfeeding forever. Screw breast milk, people develop formulas<\/a> for a reason!<\/p>\n But try to stick with it, for your little one. Because this too shall pass. There is nothing more special than looking at your little one’s eyes while feeding him.<\/p>\n And trust me, your little one loves you. He or she will always look at you while drinking milk. That’s how the special bond was created.<\/p>\n Here are some home remedies for clogged milk duct.<\/p>\n Many people think that when you have clogged milk ducts, somehow the milk is contaminated and is no longer safe for your little one.<\/p>\n This is not true. At least when you don’t have inflammation. <\/p>\n The clogged milk is still milk, it is just heavier. It is still safe to give it to your little one.<\/p>\n Actually, the most effective and fast way to unclog the milk ducts is to keep nursing your baby. If you latch properly, your baby will know how to work to get the milk and suck the clogged milk out of your breasts.<\/p>\n Your baby is the most effective breast pump that can bring you clogged milk duct relief. So trust your baby and let your little one help you.<\/p>\nWhat are clogged milk ducts?<\/h2>\n
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Clogged milk duct relief: how to prevent<\/h2>\n
The most important advice on clogged milk duct relief: You need to empty the breast after each feed<\/h3>\n
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You need to clean your nipples well<\/h3>\n
Watch out your food intake, because some of the food can clog the ducts<\/h3>\n
If you have a lot of milk and your baby cannot drink it all, you will need a milk pump to empty your breast after each feeding.<\/h3>\n
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<\/span><\/p>\nMany first-time mommies don\u2019t know how to latch. <\/h3>\n
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Make sure you have a comfortable feeding position, where both you and your little one are comfortable and you don’t have to press against your breasts.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Wear comfortable clothes, especially a well fitted nursing bras<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Follow your feeding or pumping schedule, don’t leave your breasts too full for too long<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n
Clogged milk duct relief: what to do when you have clogged milk ducts?<\/h2>\n
The fastest, simplest yet the most effective of clogged milk duct relief: keep nursing your baby<\/h3>\n
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<\/span><\/p>\nA warm shower<\/h3>\n