Plugged milk ducts may lead to more serious problems like breast infection when they are left untreated. Treat clogged milk ducts immediately to avoid complications and discuss prevention with your doctor if they are a recurring problem. Consult your doctor if your symptoms do not resolve within 24 hours or if you develop a fever.
Causes
Plugged milk ducts occur when breast milk is not drained from the breasts regularly. You might develop plugged ducts if you or your baby has an illness, which can often reduce nursing frequency. Many mothers also experience plugged ducts during the weaning process, particularly if they wean their babies too abruptly. Stress, engorgement and pressure on the breasts from your bra are other causes of plugged ducts. You might also experience plugged ducts if your baby is not nursing properly, or if you fail to drain the breasts at each feeding.
Symptoms
Plugged milk ducts cause tenderness and a small bump on the areola, which is the dark circle that surrounds the nipple. Your breast may feel warm, and you might experience pain and soreness. Usually plugged milk ducts resolve themselves after a few days if you nurse your baby regularly. Unlike a breast infection, or mastitis, plugged milk ducts do not cause fever. If you have a fever and if you feel generally ill, you should see your doctor to determine whether you might have mastitis.
Treatment
You can usually treat a plugged milk duct by increasing your nursing frequency. Start on the affected side to ensure that the breast is emptied at every feeding. While you are nursing, apply gentle pressure and massage the breast, starting at the outer part of the breast and moving toward the nipple. Vary your baby's positioning to ensure that the whole breast is emptied at each feeding. Finally, get plenty of sleep and eat a healthy diet to boost your immunity and avoid infection. As noted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women's Health, plugged milk ducts sometimes develop during times of stress or lack of sleep.
Prevention
You can avoid clogged milk ducts in the future by always letting your baby empty the breast completely at each feeding. If your baby is a snacker and only nurses for short spurts, empty your breasts with a breast pump or by hand expression. Avoid tight-fitting bras or those that have underwire, since they might apply too much pressure to the breasts. If clogged milk ducts are a recurring problem, ask your doctor about lecithin supplements, which might prevent future problems, as noted by Ask Dr. Sears.
