How long should it take to massage out a plugged milk duct?
Monty Python asked:
Should I be able to get in the shower and just massage it out or will it take a few days?
Should I be able to get in the shower and just massage it out or will it take a few days?
6 Responses to “How long should it take to massage out a plugged milk duct?”
I think you should go to a doctor. You don’t want to get an infection.
Here are some good tips. I couldn’t find anything on how long it takes. I bet with some proper massage you could get relief today.
Experts also recommend that you massage the sore area frequently and firmly, starting at the top of the ****** and working your way toward the ******. Applying warm compresses before nursing can help empty the ******.
Remove Milk Plugs
It is safe to squeeze out the milk plugs as long as it is done gently and hygienically. It is sometimes possible to massage the affected ****** until a white head at the end appears at the end of a duct on your ******. Apply moist heat and carefully pop the blister with a sterile needle. By gently squeezing you will unplug the ****** openning. Use an antibiotic ointment for a few days to prevent infection.
Don’t overdo it in the gym with vigorous upper arm exercise if you are prone to clogged milk ducts.
Often women who are more prone to getting plugged or clogged milk ducts notice an improvement after 5 or 6 months of breastfeeding.
HAHAHAHA I **** TIFFANY. I was going to mention a hot bath, But Duh I forgot. I bet her advice will work and she will be deserving of best answer. I soaked in a hot bath for over an hour and your body gets so soft and mushy. I bet Tiffany’s advice will really help.
I’m not a perv. But your husband probably has greater suction than your baby or any pump. Give him a shot! You will laugh about that story for years to come!
That is one way you could do it, but a quick, less painful way is take a HOT bath, practically as hot as you can tolerate it and massage them that way. And this way you will get an even amount of heat surrounding your breast
When I have had blocked ducts I have been able to massage them out usually within 12 hours or so, if they have still been there after this amount of time it’s become mastitis. This doesn’t necessarily mean this happens in every case but I would imagine you should be able to get relief within a day or so. As well as massaging in the shower, everytime you are feeding and/or expressing massage it towards the ****** and if possible position your baby so that his or her chin is pointing towards the blocked duct as this will encourage draining of that particular area of your ******. Good luck. If it becomes any sorer or you start to feel feverish or flu like seek medical attention immediately.
Others have already given good advice so I will build where Lee left off.
I got Mastasis. It was not from a clogged duct. I didn’t know my baby had thrush. So he’d only **** until right before milk let down and I just kept producing & filling but never much out put for two weeks. (I was young & did not know this was wrong.)
I tried all the above advice but I was too far gone. I leave this advice here in case this should happen.
I realized I needed hotter water than my body could stand in the bath tub. By now my ****** were like hard missiles! I filled a sink with near scalding water & leaned my ******* into the sink. (That’s how big they’d gotten!) I was trying to massage but could stand no pressure to touch me at all. I hurt so bad & was crying & praying leaned over that sink an hour. Then my baby cried to be fed. Still in tears, I sat & cradled him praying for relief. My milk finally let down. And it must have been real fast b/c my baby coughed and milk came shooting out his nose. Both were just spraying! I tried to keep him on one ****** & let the other go. He tried to latch on, had a few little chokes, but after being starved for so long, he finally kept pace. I just kept switching him every 5 min. to get same stimulation for each ******.
I hope this never gets that bad for you or anyone. But if it does, I hope the scalding sink water (& prayers) work for you to.
EDIT: We were to poor for me to go to doctor on a “whim.” But this let me know something was not right. That’s when doctor found thrush. He said it looks like milky coating on tongue, but it very painful to baby when *******. That’s why he gave up so easily. I got the nedication & all stayed fine for the next year of nursing.