Plugged Ducts: The Reason Why Your Breasts Don't Give Out Milk

During breastfeeding, you may suddenly find your nipples becoming plugged or blocked. You cannot feed your baby from these nipples, which are also known as ducts. A plugged duct is a duct that has become blocked, inflamed and sore. How does a plugged duct look like? It may be a small, hard lump that's sore to the touch, or a very tender spot in your breast. Or it may be a redness on the breast. A plugged duct could cause achiness, making you feel run down and feverish. If you are feverish, it may mean your clogged duct has become infected and you need medical attention fast. It also means an irritable baby who only wants to suck a tender nipple when you want a break, and begins to cry because he cannot draw milk from your plugged ducts.

Plugged Ducts Woes: What Causes Them

A plugged duct makes you feel tenderness, swelling or a small, hard lump in the breast. It is caused when a milk duct is blocked by a mass of thickened milk or cells. You may have a plugged duct owing to several factors-not changing your baby's position regularly, missing feedings, constant pressure from a tight bra and certain sleeping positions (side or stomach). If you do not address the problem, a plugged duct could develop into a breast infection called mastitis.

What Relieves Plugged Ducts

To help unclog the plug, you might do well to follow these tips and relieve yourself of your breastfeeding woes:

• Continue to breastfeed. Ensure that your baby is properly latched on and well positioned in a way that she is thoroughly draining the milk ducts with each feeding. Nurse, nurse as often as possible on the affected side to help drain the clogged duct.
• Firmy massage the lump on your breast between and during feedings.
• Apply warm compresses and/or stand in the shower with the spray directly on the sore area.

If the pain of a plugged duct or the lump does not go away within 2 to 3 days, you need to visit a lactation consultant or your doctor.

A Serious Case of Plugged Ducts: Mastitis

A case of severe blocked ducts might lead to mastitis, an inflammation of the breast that may, or may not, be due to infection. Caused by a blockage (of milk) in the ducts of the breast, the common symptoms of mastitis are: breasts that are tender and warm to the touch with a red patch or red streaks; headache; fever (often 100 degrees or more); and flu like symptoms, fatigue and general body aches.

If the tips given do not cure you of mastitis, you need to consult with a doctor, who may prescribe antibiotics to you. The tips to follow are the same as you did when your nipples were sore: ensuring that your baby is properly latched on and positioned; massaging the sore area on your breast deeply between and during feedings; applying warm compresses etc.

Sleep as much as possible with total bed rest imposed on yourself. Arm yourself with snacks and plenty of water and take the baby to bed with you to encourage extra nursing and allowing you to rest easier.

Rid Yourself of Mastitis

Follow these tips to help cure yourself of mastitis:

• Make vigorous arm movements to help loosen up the blockage.
• Do not stop breastfeeding as studies have been found to indicate that lactation can and perhaps should be continued during treatment as it may speed recovery and will not adversely affect the infant. In these circumstances, weaning or taking the baby off milk becomes emotionally traumatic for both mother and baby.

Take time off to address difficulties brought on by your breasts not giving out milk because of plugged ducts. Ensure that your baby does not go hungry because of them.