Published
Dec. 28, 2022
•
Reviewed by
a UI Health Care Provider
on
Feb. 28, 2023
What may be signs of a plugged duct?
- Redness on your breast
- A sore or tender spot in your breast
How do I care for my breast if I have a plugged duct(s)?
Keep your milk moving.
- Keep breastfeeding or pumping as you were before.
- Do not pump or breastfeed more often than usual.
- Start breastfeeding from the other breast first so the sore breast can rest.
- If your breast still feels full after feeding, you can gently squeeze out a little milk using your hand.
Support your breast(s).
- Wear a comfy bra that supports your breasts but is not too tight.
- Do not wear underwire bras.
Gently massage your breast(s).
- Do not press hard or deeply massage your breast.
- Use light, soft strokes like petting a cat.
- Start at your nipple and gently move your hand back toward your chest.
Take supplements.
- Sunflower or soy lecithin can help if you have clogged or plugged milk ducts.
- You can buy this over the counter at most drugstores and grocery stores.
- For capsules (pills): Take 1,200 milligrams (mg), 3 or 4 times each day.
- For powder: Take 5 to 10 grams of powder, 1 time each day. The powder can be put in a smoothie.
How can I lessen pain and swelling?
- Put an ice or gel pack on your breast for 10 minutes every hour.
- Do not put it right on your skin. Wrap the ice or gel pack in a cloth or towel before putting it on your skin.
- You may have a drop in your milk supply. This often gets better with time. You can call a lactation consultant for help.
- You can take medicine (such as ibuprofen) to help lessen pain and swelling. Follow the directions on the bottle label.
When should I call my care team?
- If you do not start feeling better
- If you get flu-like symptoms
- If you have a fever (100.4º Fahrenheit or higher)
- If you think you may have mastitis
What is mastitis?
- Mastitis is a breast infection that can cause inflammation and swelling of the breast. It most often happens while breastfeeding.
- It can be caused by poor milk flow from the breast. When milk builds up in a breast, it can cause the inflammation and swelling.
- You may need to start antibiotic medicine for mastitis.