Blocked milk duct

From Womenly art of bfding:
Plugs can result from milk not being taken out or from pressure on the ducts (eg a tight bra or even a baby carrier worn for a long period so that it presses against your breast) Sometimes you never learn the cause. Some women are more prone to them because of the particular blend of fats in their milk.

Aside from nursing/expressing often u can try:
Lie baby on his back and nurse with your breasts dangling (so gravity can help out)
Nurse your baby with his chin pointed in the direction of the plug
Avoid wearing a bra - particularly underwires
Massage your breasts
Use an electric toothbrush against the plug (or fee a physio for some ultrasound)
Apply heat with a warm cloth (especially just before nursing)
Take care of yourself
Take 2 tablespoons of daily lecithin (or 1200mg capsules 3/4 times daily) Lecithin helps to break up fat particles and prevents them from clumping as some mothers who struggle with chronic blocked ducts find this helps them stop happening (egg yolf contains lecithin which is why it helps smooth mayonaise) It may be neccesary to continue taking this to stop the plugs from returning.

Could be lots of things:

Oversupply - fix with block feedings at one breast to make sure draining the breast completely. You may feel engorged, just express a little to relieve the engorgement and supply should even out.

Innefficient suck/latch - he may not be draining the breast completely, get a lactation consultant to check his latch (including possible tougue tie) and try nursing in different positions to help him drain the whole breast (lying down, rugby hold etc..) Nurse more frequently.

Too tight clothing or bras (especially underwire bras or tight fitting tops

Working with a lot of overhead arm movements (dont ask me why, it just says that it my leleche book)

This is one of the major reasons I have started Jack on a bottle in the day!

The same thing is happening to me. Initially just one side but now both and its painful

My lactation lady said it can happen at any time while bf I have no advise sorry

Joli I suggest you chat to your clinic sister. Maybe some physio will be helpful or you might have an infection which will need to be treated. She will know best.

Hi ladies. I am really struggling with blocked milk ducts. I am so frustrated. Really, at least once a month I am spending an entire day to get rid of blocked milk ducts. Callum is already 6 months old and it's still happening.

I am so fed up really. It started again last night, I have spent most today massaging, expressing, sitting in a warm bath, forcing Callum to suck etc. but my boob is still rock hard and flipping sore! I feel like crying really. Isn't this suppose to just happen in the early months of breastfeeding? Why am I struggling like this? Maybe there something I am doing wrong / not doing / can drink / eat / do - please help.