If you've ever experienced a blocked milk duct then you'll know exactly how painful they can be. What starts as a tender lump can quickly turn into widespread inflammation and pain and, if not cleared, can eventually lead to mastitis. OUCH!
A blocked or clogged milk duct is usually caused by a build up of milk that becomes trapped. While it's not 100% clear what causes the build up, it's thought that insufficient draining of the breast is usually to blame. This can happen for a whole host of reasons including:
While a hard lump is a very obvious sign of a blocked duct, you may not immediately notice or feel one. Usually the breast will become tender and engorged and often look red and inflamed. If you feel around, you'll usually be able to feel a lump somewhere, though it can be quite deep in the breast tissue.
Some women will also notice a nipple bleb or white spot/blister. These indicate a blocked nipple pore which can lead to issues further back in the breast tissue.
We've always known that the Haakaa Silicone Breast Pump is a pretty amazing tool to have as a breastfeeding mama, and learning about this clog busting tip just confirmed its status as a total hero product.
By combining the gentle suction of the Haakaa with the heat from warm water and drawing abilities of Epsom salts, you can effectively clear blocked and clogged ducts.
Blocked milk ducts can be extremely stubborn and it helps to have a few tricks up your sleeve to manage them. While the Haakaa hack works very effectively, combining it with the following can mean that blockages are resolved a little more quickly.
Try the following to help shift blocked ducts and prevent them from occurring:
For more information on managing a whole range of breastfeeding concerns, click here
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