WHY do I keep getting plugged ducts?

[caedmyn]

DD is 18 months old and I've had 3 plugged ducts in the last month or so. I used to get quite a few when she was newborn but hadn't had any in at least a year. I've read that fewer nursings in a day can cause plugged ducts but for the last week or so she's been nursing a ton, and I still woke up with about 1/3 of one breast plugged up today. (Does that qualify as a plugged boob? It's definitely the biggest plugged duct I've had yet!) What could be causing all of these?

[alegna]

Things that have done it to me:
underwire bra
a long time in the car (seatbelt)
new sleeping position
tight clothes

good luck!

-Angela

[RootSnort]

You might try having your bras refit, and perhaps taking a little extra vitamin C.

[crwilson]

I'm so sorry this is happening to you - I have this problem too and it SUCKS! For me it's always, 100% of the time, when I'm stressed about something, so reducing stress helps. I also take soy lecithin everyday which really helps too.

[quirkylayne]

Mine were all related to thrush.

[Damala]

I agree w/ crwilson. I always get one when I am stressed. I get breast pain as well when upset.I am also TN and so have an oversupply which I've read can predispose you to it. NAK sorry for gammer error

[mouso]

When DD steps up her nursing, like during growth spurt, I always get a plugged duct. I used to get them at least twice a week. It seems to happen when my supply goes up even a little and is not drained fast.
You said DC has been nursing more? I bet that's it.

[ChinaDoll]

I'm so sorry, those are awful! The lecithin supplements really did help me - I was getting plugged ducts every few days, but not after I started the supplements.

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To prevent recurrent plugged ducts

A Vitamin C supplement can be helpful for any mom suffering with recurrent plugged ducts or mastitis.

Many moms have found that taking lecithin (a dietary supplement) can help to resolve and prevent recurrent plugged ducts.

It is also helpful to make sure that you're getting enough liquids, and to reduce the amount of saturated fat in your diet.

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mom/re...t-mastitis.html

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Lecithin has been recommended to combat recurrent plugged ducts. The usual recommended dosage for recurrent plugged ducts is 3600-4800 mg lecithin per day, or 1 capsule (1200 milligram) 3-4 times per day. After a week or two with no blockage, mom can reduce the dosage by one capsule. If there is no blockage within another 2 weeks she can reduce it again by one. Mom may need to continue taking 1-2 capsules per day if stopping the lecithin leads to additional plugged ducts.

http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/vi.../lecithin.html

[mouso]

Originally Posted by ChinaDoll

I'm so sorry, those are awful! The lecithin supplements really did help me - I was getting plugged ducts every few days, but not after I started the supplements.

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To prevent recurrent plugged ducts



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YES! I forgot to mention. The lecithin has worked wonders.

[mtnhighmama]

how about lecithin that isn't soy based? I haven't been able to find any and I don't do soy products...

[adeets]

I found some lecithin today at Vitamin Cottage that is egg based and soy free.

[AnnesMoM]

I used to get plugged ducts all the time (like 2 or 3 a week) when my dd was a baby. There were a couple of things that I found were likely to cause one (I didn't wear an underwire bra). First was sleeping on my belly or sleeping with my hand under my breast. The second thing was that I used to LOVE to eat nuts and I noticed that whenever I ate them or anything else that was high in fat or oil that I could count on having a plugged duct. The lecithin really helped. Take 2 as soon as you feel a plug and get into a hot shower.

[GradysMom]

Me Too! three times this month

Ds is 10 mo and consuption appears to steady, maybe even up a little... which suprises me.

What I think is doing it is that I have broken my nursing bras so I have been wearing a old, stretchy but tight, underwire bra when I leave the house. if I do gardening and sweat alot... I get sore brest, really deeply sore. Very slight fever too.