Plugged Ducts

[~Meg~]

I have been having a horrible time with plugged ducts. I swear I get one at least once a week. It's not the same duct, it varies. I have no idea why. I nurse a lot. My twins eat about 8 times each during the day and 2-3 times each at night. What am I doing wrong?

[melbb]

I get plugged ducts a lot, too, but I also EP. Do you have an oversupply? You could try warm compresses before some of your nursing sessions. Also, take lecithin supplements. Make sure your bra isn't too tight. You aren't necessarily doing something wrong, some women are just more susceptible to them than others.

[~Meg~]

Thanks for taking the time to reply. I think I do have issues with oversupply from time to time and that may be part of the problem, but I don't think there is anything I can do about it. I don't want to pump because that will just increase my supply even more. Fortunately, I've only gotten mastitis once but the pain of the plugged ducts is annoying. It's painful to pick up or hold the babies because they inevitably bump the pugged area. If anyone else has suggestions, I'd love to hear them.

[Love my 2]

I agree with the Lecithin. Another suggestion....easy to say, harder to do, is to take time out to rest. These problems frequently show up when mothers are tired and trying to do too much. Lower your saturated fats also. Do you wear a bra? A too tight fit can make the problem worse.

[Nitenites]

Yes on the Lecithin!

Nak

I have one duct that gives me trouble. as soon as i feel a clog coming on, i start taking lecithin, 1200mg three times a day. i know a mom who takes it all the time. when she tried to go off of it, the plugged ducts came back. hth

[~Meg~]

If I were to take the Lecithin daily, do you know what dose I would take? (...or where to find that info) I think I'll give it a try.

[Nitenites]

To the best of my knowledge, you would take the same dose as above. Once the clog is cleared, you could try to lower the dosage. I maintained a dosage level of 1200 mg/3x per day for about 3 weeks. I then lowered to 2x/day, then to once a day - over a period of about 2 weeks. (I'd had several bouts with the same duct, and i wanted to make certain it was very clear and was not going to clog again!) Now I'm fortunate enough to only need it when I feel a clog coming on. For the past couple of episodes, I've only had to take it for 2-3 days.

[Shell]

Ditto on the Lecithin. Made a HUGE difference with me at a time when I was getting a plugged duct at least once a week, if not 3 times a week! Check out www.kellymom.com for info on dosage.

Also, my advice for when you do get a plug: forget the "warm compress" method and instead go right into a hot tub. Get on your belly and massage the plug out of your breast by hand expressing under the water. The milk that is expressed will be cloudy, but the plug will come out looking like a piece of string.

Good luck!

[Jenen]

I agree with the hot tub. Hot showers would help me. I get a plugged duct about every 3 weeks, the same duct! The last time I happened to be at a hotel with a hot tub next to the pool. I spent 15-20 in there massaging the duct, then I took a shower and started massaging the duct again. For the first time I saw the little white "plug" on my nipple and pulled it off. After the 3 minute non-stop stream of milk stopped flowing I noticed the duct was empty!! I, knock on wood!!, have not had one since!!

My Aunt also swears that blocked ducts come from doing to much & not getting enough rest.

[MeMommy]

I'm also having problems with plugged ducts. Does lecithin come from soy? 'Cuz I'm sensitive to soy, so if it is, I'll have to find something else to help me.

[sun-shine01]

Originally Posted by Jenen

My Aunt also swears that blocked ducts come from doing to much & not getting enough rest.

You are telling this to a mama with 11 month old twins. :