How to cure clogged milk ducts

Blocked milk ducts, also known as clogged milk ducts, is one of the most common problems in postpartum mothers during the breastfeeding period. Blocked milk ducts are often painful and uncomfortable, if not timely intervention can lead to inflammation, even breast abscess. So the cause and how to cure clogged milk ducts like that?

Blocked milk duct is a stagnation that is produced but cannot be drained out at the mother's breast while nursing. Blocked milk ducts can occur in any mother while breastfeeding, especially those who have had their first baby. Erect milk clumps cause milk ducts to stagnate and cause swelling, inflammation, and redness in the breasts.
When the milk duct is blocked, the milk will clump into small lumps in the milk ducts. Mothers' breasts will feel tight and hot. When you touch the swollen areas, you will feel pain. If the blockage persists, you may have a breast abscess, high fever, and chills.

Clogged milk ducts due to many different causes:
Mother's resistance after giving birth - this is the leading cause of clogged milk ducts. After a long childbirth, if mothers are not cared for and provided with adequate nutrients, it can lead to irregular blood circulation and blocked milk ducts when breastfeeding, a prolonged condition will lead to blocked milk ducts with hard lumps. Breastfeeding the wrong way: This is mainly due to the lack of experience of mothers in taking care of their baby during the first pregnancy. The wrong way of sucking leads to not sucking all the breast milk secreted, leading to blocked milk ducts, making the flow unable to circulate, over time causing clogged milk ducts. Stress and depression after giving birth also cause mothers to delay milk, block milk ducts. Therefore, after giving birth, the mother needs to stay optimistic and happy so that the milk can come back better.

Blocked milk ducts, if not promptly intervened, can cause many problems and dangerous complications for the mother such as:
The baby will not be provided with adequate breast milk. The mother's healthy milk is affected because the babies have mild pain and fever, which can lead to breast abscess for a long time. Mastitis or abscess is one of the dangerous complications that are difficult to treat.

Some ways to cure clogged milk ducts:
4.1 Apply warm towels, apply warm water To improve the condition of clogged milk ducts, mothers can apply warm towels and apply hot water. Under the influence of heat, combined with warm compresses, covers, and gentle massage, the milk clot will gradually dissolve, break the blockage, thereby circulating the flow of milk.
4.2 Breast massage To stimulate and circulate breast milk, mothers can use breast massage. Many mothers after seeing a doctor are applied massage methods, the results are very positive, and then they can do it at home.
How to massage the breasts: Use one hand or both to push and squeeze the breasts up to the chest wall, and combine with rubbing and pressing the positions to help dissolve the milk clot. Can be rubbed gently, only using enough force to avoid pain to dissolve the milk clot located in the breast. Massage gradually in a circular motion, doing these movements continuously until the blocked milk duct is improved.

4.3 Breastfeeding more often Breastfeeding early after birth is one of the effective ways to treat blocked milk ducts, because this process helps with milk flow. Moreover, mothers should breastfeed their babies often and regularly to help the milk flow automatically through sucking activities, creating the baby's suction force and the pushing force of the secreted milk supply will be stronger.
4.4 Breastfeeding Properly In addition to early and frequent breastfeeding, mothers should also breastfeed properly to reduce blocked milk. Besides, after feeding, it is necessary to express all excess milk and clean the nipples before and after feeding. Before breastfeeding, mothers should gently massage their breasts to soften so that milk can flow more easily.
Mothers should let the baby breastfeed in the most comfortable and correct position so that the baby can take the initiative in finding the nipple. Let the baby suckle all of one side and then switch to the other breast, whichever is more full and suck first.

4.5 Using a breast pump to remove excess milk In some cases of blocked milk ducts it is necessary to use a tool such as a breast pump to remove excess milk in the initial stage when new clots form as well as located near the nipple. If the milk clots are in deep and complicated positions as well as in the big stage, the effect of the breast pump is limited. Because applying small force will not be effective, but when applying big force will cause pain and affect blood vessels...
In short, clogged milk duct is the condition of clogged milk duct, this is one of the most common problems in postpartum mothers during breastfeeding. Blocked milk ducts are often painful and uncomfortable, if not treated promptly, can lead to inflammation, even breast abscess. Therefore, when mothers feel tightness in their breasts, they need to take measures, if inflammation occurs, they should immediately go to a medical facility for examination and medical intervention.
Spinal impact treatment to restore breast milk, blocked milk ducts, lack of milk, milk loss are one of 17 diseases that the Spine Impact Department at Vinmec Times City is recognized for effective examination and treatment.
If you have a need for advice and examination for clogged milk ducts at Hospitals under the National Health System, please book an appointment on the website for the best service.