Preventing clogged ducts and Mastitis
What is a clogged milk duct? What is mastitis? A clogged milk duct occurs when breastmilk gets backed up in the milk ducts. The tissue surrounding the milk duct becomes swollen and inflamed, causing a blockage. Mastitis is an infection resulting from a clogged duct in the nipple of a nursing mother.
How to reduce your chances of a clogged duct/mastitis: Plugged ducts are often caused by pressure on some part of the breast that stops the milk from flowing through the duct. Avoid wearing tight fitting bras or tops that constrict your breasts. Underwire bras should also be avoided. Change your nursing positions to allow the baby to drain milk from all areas of the breast equally. Sleeping on your stomach regularly can also lead to clogged ducts due to the constant pressure and construction, try to sleep on your side or back as much as possible. Avoid letting your breasts become overly full. If milk isn’t being effectively removed it can cause the ducts to become inflamed or clogged. Missed feedings and supplementing can cause your breasts to become engorged, make sure you are nursing your baby regularly. If you need to be separated from your baby, or if baby suddenly sleeps all night without nursing, make sure you hand express or pump some milk to keep it flowing. This can also happen when you’re in the process of weaning your baby and is one reason that gradual weaning is usually recommended. A plugged nipple pore or “bleb” can also cause a clogged duct. A nipple bleb looks like a tiny white spot at the end of the nipple that hurts when your baby nurses. This may be due to an overgrowth of skin cells, or a collection of fragments or fatty material residue from your milk. It also might be a small, whitish-yellow milk plug at the opening of a duct on the nipple, blocking the milk from getting through.
Treating a clogged duct: One of the best ways to relieve a clogged duct and get your milk flowing properly is to keep breastfeeding. Try to nurse more frequently than usual—making sure not to miss any regular feedings—and be careful to make sure that your baby is latched well. Start each feeding with the affected breast, and try to switch positions to allow for better drainage. You can also try dangle feeding. If your baby does not fully drain the breast, express or pump milk from it after feeding in order to prevent more clogging. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends moist heat as the most effective and highly recommended treatment for relieving your pain and loosening the plug. The AAP recommends warm, wet compresses or several hot showers a day. You can also try expressing milk while applying the warm compress, it will help with the pain and help release the clog. After each feeding and between moist heat applications, gently massage the breast in order to help release the clog. Massage with your thumb from behind the plug toward the nipple, giving particular attention to the firm area. Then also try “clearing a path” by massaging from the front edge of the plug towards the nipple. A Vitamin C supplement can be helpful for moms suffering with recurrent plugged ducts or mastitis.
Many moms have found that taking lecithin (a dietary supplement) can help to resolve and prevent recurrent plugged ducts.
Treating mastitis: You should see your doctor or IBCLC if you suspect you have mastitis, and be sure to follow their advice. Mastitis is treated differently depending on how serious it is, but is generally treated in the same ways you would a clogged duct (frequent nursing, massage, moist heat compresses, rest), as well as an increase in fluids, a focus on adequate nutrition, and possibly a course of antibiotics if your mastitis is the result of an infection or if you are experiencing flu-like symptoms. Studies have also shown that probiotic supplements (certain Lactobacillus strains) are effective in treating infectious mastitis and also resulted in a lower occurrence of repeat mastitis.
