Clogged Milk Ducts
Probably one of the most uncomfortable experiences with breastfeeding besides biting and engorgement, is clogged milk ducts.
The day I came home from the hospital my milk came in. Up until then, I was producing colostrum which is yellow. All that sucking Lincoln did in the first few days caused the filling milk to come in. That night before bed I noticed it hurt to put my arm down. I reached in my arm pit and there was a hard knot about the size of pecan. I retrieved my resource packet the hospital sent home with me and read about clogged ducts. I jumped in the shower and tried massaging it because warmth is supposed to help. I put a rice sock in my arm pit.
The next morning, my husband called Full Bloom and one of the owners, Pat, told me to come in. She didn't want it to become serious (mastitis). She helped me with latch and she massaged my armpit. I drank tea and talked. It took about a week for that one to go away and even now 10 months later, if I get full, I start feeling a bulge under that armpit.
Throughout my breastfeeding journey, I've had clogged ducts about 3-4 more times all on the same breast. The others I've had have been along the perimeter of my breast. Sometimes I get them if I wear a sports bra or if I don't pump/nurse enough. I know what to do now. I usually apply a rice sock right away and have Lincoln nurse from that side every feeding so he can pull out the clog. Most women will say it is uncomfortable, but I like the pulling feeling. It's like I can almost feel him unclog the ducts. Now I can get rid of one in a day!
The day I came home from the hospital my milk came in. Up until then, I was producing colostrum which is yellow. All that sucking Lincoln did in the first few days caused the filling milk to come in. That night before bed I noticed it hurt to put my arm down. I reached in my arm pit and there was a hard knot about the size of pecan. I retrieved my resource packet the hospital sent home with me and read about clogged ducts. I jumped in the shower and tried massaging it because warmth is supposed to help. I put a rice sock in my arm pit.
The next morning, my husband called Full Bloom and one of the owners, Pat, told me to come in. She didn't want it to become serious (mastitis). She helped me with latch and she massaged my armpit. I drank tea and talked. It took about a week for that one to go away and even now 10 months later, if I get full, I start feeling a bulge under that armpit.
Throughout my breastfeeding journey, I've had clogged ducts about 3-4 more times all on the same breast. The others I've had have been along the perimeter of my breast. Sometimes I get them if I wear a sports bra or if I don't pump/nurse enough. I know what to do now. I usually apply a rice sock right away and have Lincoln nurse from that side every feeding so he can pull out the clog. Most women will say it is uncomfortable, but I like the pulling feeling. It's like I can almost feel him unclog the ducts. Now I can get rid of one in a day!
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