I was lucky that I didn’t experience terribly sore nipples in the first weeks of breastfeeding my boys. But, holy hell, I did get some horrible plugged ducts a few months in. And let me tell you, that is some breast pain I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy.
Plugged ducts are literally what they sound like.
1. “Dangle nursing”
Sometimes you need to let gravity do its thing when it comes to clearing plugs. “Dangle nursing” is exactly as it sounds. You get on all fours, or lean over your baby, letting your boob hang down. Then you nurse—often. Massage the affected breast while you’re nursing and, many times, the plug will clear up immediately.
2. Place an electric toothbrush or vibrating phone over the clog
It sounds kind of ridiculous, right? But something about the vibrating motion can help loosen and break up the plug. It has been the miracle cure for many moms I know.
3. An OTC supplement called lecithin
Lecithin is a naturally occurring fatty acid that can be purchased in pill form at the drug store. It doesn’t necessarily cure your plug when you already have one, but many mothers who have repeated plugged ducts find that it helps prevent them in the first place. Of course, you should talk to you doctor or lactation consultant about proper dosage and usage for lecithin before you start using it.
4. Therapeutic breast massage
General breast massaging can be really helpful for plugs, but a technique known as therapeutic breast massage—which alternates hand expression and specific breast massage techniques—can prove to be extremely helpful for your most stubborn plugs. Check out this video for tips and to learn the ins-and-out of the technique.
5. Castor oil compress
This is definitely one of those things that requires consultation with your doctor, but for many moms who have plugs that don’t respond to any other treatment, castor oil compresses are often the thing that finally cures them. The Pump Station has a clear explanation for how to prepare these compresses, as well as their use. As they point out, make sure to thoroughly clean your breast after use and before nursing your baby.
6. A hot shower
My favorite way to clear plugs was to take a long, hot shower (which, as an added bonus, is a total treat for a mom), and direct the shower nozzle right on my plug. At the same time, I would massage the plug and try to express milk by hand from my breast. Then, once everything was flowing nicely, I would come out of the shower and nurse my baby. Plug cleared!
