What to do about clogged milk ducts
Medically reviewed by Valinda Riggins Nwadike, MD, MPH on September 3, 2018 — Written by Zawn Villines
Symptoms
Causes
Treatments and home remedies
Prevention
Seeing a doctor
The breasts contain a series of ducts that carry milk from the mammary glands to the n****** when a woman is breastfeeding. A clogged duct can cause intense pain, swelling, and itchiness.
A 2011 study of 117 breastfeeding women found that 4.5 percent experienced clogged ducts at some point during the first year of breastfeeding. A duct that remains clogged can cause mastitis, a painful infection in the breasts.
Although a clogged milk duct can be painful, it is often treatable with home remedies. In this article, we look at the symptoms and causes of clogged ducts, home remedies to try, and when to see a doctor.
Symptoms
A blocked milk duct can cause pain in the breast.
The most common symptoms of a clogged duct include:
pain in a specific location in the breast
a swollen, tender lump in the breast
heat and swelling in the breasts
slower milk flow on one side
skin that looks lumpy in one area
a small white d** on the n***** called a milk bleb
Occasionally, a clogged duct can cause a low fever. As a fever can also occur due to a breast infection, people who experience fever alongside breast pain should see a doctor.
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Start with 1 or 2 tablespoons of cereal mixed with breast milk, formula, or water. Another good first option is an iron-rich puréed meat. Feed your baby with a small baby spoon, and never add cereal to a baby’s bottle unless your doctor recommends it.