Clogged Milk Duct

Clogged milk duct is a common problem encountered by many women during breastfeeding. Read to know more about the symptoms, causes, side effects and treatment of this condition.

What is Clogged Milk Duct?

Clogged milk duct is a breastfeeding problem that occurs when the expression of breast milk is not proper. breasts do not get drained at the same pace as that of milk production. It results in inflammation in the tissue around the duct and the development of a hard lump on the breasts.

Causes of Clogged Milk Duct

A number of factors can cause this problem. These include:

Picture 1 – Clogged Milk Duct

Inadequate milk removal

If the release of breast milk occurs slower than the rate at which it is being produced, it can result in obstruction of milk duct. Some of the reasons behind inadequate milk removal from the breast are nipple pain, distractions during feeding, haste during feeding process, ineffective sucking by the baby or any conditions like blocked nipple pore.

Infrequent or skipped feeding

This is a common reason behind the clogged milk duct in working women. A working woman is not able to get sufficient time for her baby due to busy schedule. Due to this reason, she is not able to breast feed frequently. As a result, the milk gets clogged up in the duct and further causes a blockage.

Stress

Stress is also believed to be one of the causes of this disease. Under stress, the production of oxytocin is reduced in the body. This results in reduced release of milk from the breasts.

Some other factors might be possible for this condition. These include pressure on the duct from any substance like tight clothes. Mothers who sleep on the stomach side also have more chances of getting affected with the disease. An injury or infection in the breast area may also result in blockage.

Symptoms of Clogged Milk Duct

The condition has some specific symptoms that can help detect it easily. These include:

• Development of a lump on the affected area in the initial stages. It can either be a small lump or a hard one.
• Irritation and fever at the initial stages of the disease, as experienced by most women.
• Development of Mastitis and similar complications with the progression of the disease. This makes it extremely necessary to contact a physician at the early stages of the disease and recognize it immediately.
• Pain during feeding. Generally the pain associated with clogged milk duct is more before breast feeding. After feeding your child, you will notice decrease in the pain.

Side effects of Clogged Milk Duct

The commonly observed side effects of this condition are:

• Grains of thickened milk, as observed while breastfeeding children.
• Mastitis, if proper remedial measures are not taken immediately.
• Persistent redness on the affected area for a week or two, even after the disease has been treated.

Clogged Milk Duct Treatment

There are a number of methods available that can help you prevent this disease as well as get rid of it.

• Continue breastfeeding even if you experience pain. Once milk is drained out of your breasts, the associated pain will be reduced provided you continue the practice at regular intervals.
• Properly position your baby so that his chin faces the affected portion during the feeding.
• Manually compress the affected duct to facilitate proper release of breast milk. A pressure massage on the affected area is also helpful as it helps loosen the plug.
• If the problem is intense, you may use an electric breast pump to get rid of extra milk. This will prevent the blockage of milk ducts.
• Physicians also recommend practices like soaking your breasts in lukewarm water with Epsom salt. This helps get rid of choked milk duct. However, you should wash your breasts properly after this practice as the presence of traces of salt on the breast skin can harm your child.
• In case blisters are present on your breasts, you should get them punctured by a doctor. Doctors use flamed needles for this purpose.

Clogged Mild Duct Prevention

Know about some of the most effective preventive measures for this condition:

Picture 2 – Clogged Milk Duct Image

• Take enough rest. This helps fight stress and ensures proper production of oxytocin in the body.
• Try feeding your child at regular intervals. Even if you are a working mother, you should arrange your schedule accordingly. By feeding your child at regular intervals, you not only providing him the desired nutrition but also keep yourself healthy in the process.
• Avoid tight clothes or positions that put pressure on your breasts to prevent the occurrence of this disease.

Medications for Clogged Milk Duct

You should take advice from a doctor before starting any medication for the disease. The medications are prescribed only in conditions where the home remedies do not work. Generally, the medications used for the disease are pain relievers in combination with anti-inflammatory substances. However, some doctors may prescribe the use of pain reliever alone. You should not use any antibiotic for treating this disease. In case the disease has given birth to complications like mastitis, the use of antibiotics might be desired on recommendation of the doctor.

Clogged mammary duct is not a serious problem. However, it can hamper your breastfeeding experience and also affect the nutrition of your child apart from giving rise to possible complications such as Mastitis. Naturally, it is recommended that you get in touch with a doctor at the first signs of this condition. Early treatment will help you make a faster recovery.

References:

http://www.babycenter.com/0_plugged-milk-ducts_8494.bc

http://kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mother/mastitis/

http://cloggedmilkduct.net/

http://www.cloggedmilkduct.org/

http://www.breastfeeding-problems.com/plugged-duct.html