What To Do In Case Of Blocked Milk Ducts? – Being Parents

Knowing what to do with blocked milk ducts is one of the most common questions for breastfeeding mothers. This condition, which is also very painful, affects many mothers. It is indeed a fairly common annoyance.

However, even though it is a recurring condition, when blocked milk ducts are not treated properly, it can trigger mastitis. Therefore,  prompt care reduces the risk of suffering from complications.

In this article, we’ll go over the symptoms of a blocked duct, the reasons for its obstruction, and finally what to do to free it.

What are the symptoms of blocked milk ducts?

The milk ducts are responsible for transporting the milk produced in the glands to the nipple. When they become blocked, one or more bumps appear in the mother’s breast. These are accompanied by severe pain all over the area or in the nipple.

The breast may also redden or generally become swollen or hot.

The special thing about this condition is that it must be treated quickly, otherwise it could lead to mastitis. This would cause fever, general pain in the body, and in extreme cases there might be pus or blood in the milk.

What are the reasons for blocked milk ducts?

We now know the symptoms of blocked milk ducts, but what are the reasons? In fact, this condition can be experienced by any mother during one or more pregnancies. As we said before, this is a common pathology but must be treated immediately.

However, a few actions can be a trigger. The most common are  the use of the wrong size bras that put improper pressure on the breast. The same goes for tight clothing, a blow, bad pressure when breastfeeding, or bad posture when breastfeeding.

What if the milk ducts are blocked?

There are several ways to relieve this condition. We will start with the simplest before then mentioning those from the pharmacological field.

First of all, when the inflammation or lump in the breast is noticed, it is recommended to perform a gentle massage on this area. This massage can also be done while you are breastfeeding the baby to stimulate the opening of the duct.

The second option for treating clogged milk ducts is to  take hot showers during which you also perform a massage. In this case, taking advantage of the warmth of the water, the pressure should be more intense from the outside of the nipple towards the bump following a straight line up to the nipple.

After this stimulation in the shower, it is the perfect time to breastfeed the baby. You can also place a warm cloth on the breast to keep the area warm.

In case these stimuli don’t work, you can take it a step further. Immerse your breast in a container of very hot water in which you add a teaspoon of salt. This action is considered to release the conduit immediately.

Another option that works as a precaution is to squeeze out any milk that is left in the breasts after the baby has breastfed. This will prevent the overload of milk in the ducts.

If you are not using the breast pump, it is best to breastfeed the baby more regularly and always use the breast with the problem as the first option.

Some doctors also point out that adequate rest and naps can have a positive impact and prevent blocked milk ducts.

Pharmacological options

The most common pharmacological advice from doctors is few:

• Analgesics and anti-inflammatories: The most recommended for pain relief are ibuprofen and tylenol. Both are sold without a medical prescription, but it is advisable to consult a doctor first.

With these simple practices, you can alleviate the problem of blocked milk ducts. As always, if you notice that this complication does not improve despite our advice and that new symptoms appear, do not hesitate to consult your specialist immediately.