Blocked Milk Ducts and Breast-Feeding

Milk ducts can become blocked when the lactating breasts become very full (engorged) and are not emptied regularly. A blocked milk duct feels like a tender lump on the breast.

You can treat a blocked duct with self-care measures. Help unblock milk ducts by:

• Taking a warm shower or applying a warm, wet compress several times a day for 10 to 15 minutes. To make a warm compress, soak a hand towel in warm water. Wring out the excess water and place the towel on the affected breast. Cover the compress with a second, dry towel to trap the heat.
• Massaging over the area of the blocked duct, moving toward the nipple, before and during breast-feeding.
• Breast-feeding more frequently.
• Using a variety of breast-feeding positions.
• Feeding from the affected breast first. This moves the milk through the breast more effectively because the baby's sucking is most intense at the beginning of a feeding session.
• Taking ibuprofen to reduce swelling.

A blocked duct can become infected (mastitis). If you have signs of a breast infection (mastitis), you may need to call your doctor right away.