Episode 04: How to prevent recurrent plugged ducts
Goal: help you to keep plugged ducts from happening
You should focus on 5 things to keep plugged ducts from being a reoccurring issue:
- Don't wear underwire bras (until you are done nursing)
- Don’t go too long without nursing. (Stay on your typical nursing schedule and if you have to skip a nursing session then try to express milk as soon as you can by pumping or hand expression)
- Switch up your nursing position at least once a day
- Hand express for 30 seconds after you pump, every time that you pump!
- Try to manage oversupply issues
According to KellyMom.com a plugged duct is: "An area of the breast where milk flow is obstructed."
What causes them:
- Failure to remove milk
- Going too long in between nursing sessions
- Pressure on the area (example: wearing an underwire bra)
If you are getting recurrent plugged ducts, I recommend seeing a Lactation Consultant, specifically an IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant), in addition to the recommendations below:
Don't wear underwire bras (while you are nursing)
- Obvious advice that you hear a lot of places
- Why risk it?
- First plug i got was after i wore an underwire bra
Don’t go too long without nursing.
- Clogged ducts are caused by the failure to remove milk from your boob
- Makes sense that going to long will cause a clog
- Stay on a nursing schedule
- If you nurse on demand, which is what i recommend, don’t deviate from your routine too much
- Express by hand or with pump if you are in a situation where you have to skip a feeding
- Or nurse ASAP after a skipped feeding
- Also, don't cut your nursing sessions too short
- If you get milk flowing and then stop the flow before your boob has been adequately drained it can cause a clog
- Keep track with the Sprout app
- Try to nurse for at least 5 minutes each side
Switch up your nursing position at least once a day (if you typically do cross-cradle, then for one daily session do the football hold)
- It stimulates different milk ducts
- Made a big difference for me
- A lactation consultant helped me figure this out
- Remind yourself to change it up once per day
Hand express for 30 seconds after you pump, every time that you pump!
- Never found this advice online in all my research
- Really helpful if you travel or pump at work
- You’ll get more milk too
- Video from Stanford Medicine about hand expression and pumping
- Also, massage your boobs while you pump
Oversupply issue
- If you have an issue with oversupply, that can lead to plugged ducts as well
- A IBCLC can help resolve oversupply issues
- Website to find an IBCLC in your area
To recap, to prevent plugged ducts from reoccurring:
- Don't wear underwire bras while nursing
- Don’t go too long without nursing. And don't cut your nursing sessions too short
- Switch up your nursing position at least once a day
- Hand express for 30 seconds after you pump
- Try to manage oversupply issues
Thank you for listening!
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