How to Relieve and Prevent Clogged Milk Ducts & Milk Blebs?

Breastfeeding provides amazing benefits. It is an unarguable fact. However, along with benefits, it comes with a few challenges that can make breastfeeding painful and uncomfortable. Clogged milk ducts and milk blebs are the most common breastfeeding problems. Do you want to make your breastfeeding journey enjoyable and painless? If so, you should know how to prevent and treat clogged milk ducts and milk blebs, the most common issues in breastfeeding. Here are some useful tips.

What are clogged milk ducts and milk blebs?

Clogged milk ducts

There are numerous ducts that carry milk to the breasts. One of the clogs can get blocked or may have poor drainage. This is called a clogged milk duct.

What are the causes?

  • Engorgement of breasts caused by incomplete feeds, ineffective latching, and stress will lead to inadequate draining of the breast.
  • Pressure on the milk ducts caused by tight or underwire bras will constrict your breasts and will prevent milk flow.
  • Using a nipple shield can cause less milk to be transferred. So, it will cause a clog.
  • Inflammation caused by bacterial infection will push the milk ducts and clog them.
  • Skipped or delayed feeding due to mom’s return from work or change in baby’s sleeping schedule.
  • Sudden weaning can cause a clog. When you wean your baby slowly the milk secretion will reduce gradually. Abrupt weaning will lead to clogs.
  • Change in baby’s feeding schedule when the baby sleeps through the night suddenly or overuse of pacifier or teething can cause milk to get clogged.

What are the symptoms?

  • Lump or an area of engorgement on the breast
  • Swelling and redness of breasts
  • Warmth and tenderness

Milk bleb

Milk bleb refers to a blocked nipple pore. It is also called a milk blister. It looks like a tiny white spot on the nipple.

What causes a milk bleb?

  • Plugged milk duct
  • A thin layer of skin blocking the duct
  • Baby latching problems
  • Excessive milk supply
  • Infection

What are the symptoms?

  • Raised fluid-filled areas in the skin
  • Blebs may be white or yellow or clear
  • They are irregular in shape and will flatten when you apply pressure.

How to treat clogged milk ducts and milk blebs?

  1. Apply a warm compress.
    Applying a warm compress before/after feeding will help a lot. When you use a warm compress before feeding it helps the milk to flow. When you use a warm compress after feeding it induces the production of oxytocin, a hormone responsible for assisting milk let down. You can use an all-natural Breast Therapy pack from Nasobuddy. This pack is made from undyed pure cotton and is filled with lavender- infused rice. All you have to do is microwave it for a minute. It holds warm heat at the right temperature for quite some time. This is really helpful.
  2. Apply expressed milk
    Breast milk has antimicrobial properties and will help to treat and to prevent further infections. You can also use nipple healers from Nasobuddy. Nipple healers from Nasobuddy are nursing cups that can be worn directly on the nipples under the nursing bra. The milk collected inside the cups will help in healing. Moreover, it gives pain relief too.
  3. While feeding you should follow a few tips:
  • Breastfeed your baby from the breast with a clogged duct first.
  • Make sure the baby has an effective latch. If you have any doubts, you can consult your obstetrician to check if your baby is having a deep and effective latch.
  • Massage your breasts gently during feeding sessions.
  • You should change the position of the baby to ensure complete emptying of breasts.
  1. After feeding you should follow a few tips
  • Breastfeed or pump frequently.
  • Don’t overstress yourself. Take enough rest.
  • Don’t wean abruptly.
  • Avoid wearing underwired and tight-fitting bras. Wear loose-fitting clothes.
  • Don’t try to open the bleb at home. It may result in infection.
  • Try hands-on pumping to fully empty your breasts.

Clogged ducts can lead to mastitis. So, you should treat them as early as possible. Breast Therapy packs from Nasobuddy are very effective to treat clogged milk ducts and blebs. It’s available for sale here.

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