There are lots of "fun" little surprises that come up when you're breastfeeding a baby for the first time. The random boob leakage that can happen in the middle of Target, for example. Or how about the overly chaffed nipples, which feel like they're getting stabbed by shards of glass? And then of course, there's the occasional clogged milk duct that arises — a highly painful, yet unfortunate side effect that can result when a mother's breast milk doesn't drain properly. Remedies for easing the pain can run the gamut, but some moms on Reddit are copping to a less-than-traditional way of solving the problem: having their husbands literally suck the blockage out of their boobs.
Gulp.
It all started with an anonymous post this week by Reddit user sinontherocks2.
"What is the negativity with having your husband help you clear a clogged milk duct by sucking it out?" she asked before explaining how helpful it's been for her in the past.
"Seriously I don’t get it," the mom continued. "It saves you from mastitis, a hospital bill, and going to the doctor, and a round of antibiotics."
She certainly has a point.
Mastitis, described by the Mayo Clinic as a severe inflammation of breast tissue, results in pain, swelling, warmth, and redness around the nipple and throughout the breast. It's typically accompanied by an infection and could even trigger a fever and chills.
Leaving it to heal on its own can leave a mom feeling exhausted and run down, which in turn will make caring for her baby (not to mention everyday life) even harder. That's why a doctor will probably recommend coming in for a visit ASAP to have it checked out and prescribe a round of antibiotics to treat the infection while the mom continues to breastfeed.
But on the flip side, a lot of people find the concept of "sucking it out" kind of, well, gross.
To be clear, the actual process of clearing a clogged milk duct by "sucking it out" involves everything you think it does. A person literally sucks on the mother's nipple long enough for the clog to make its way out of the breast, thereby alleviating any pain or inflammation in the process.
Of course, there are other proven methods of clearing a milk duct that don't involve using a partner as a human vacuum.
Some moms have had success by using a vibrating massager to break up the clog or using a comb while standing in a warm shower. Others apply a warm compress or heating pad to the infected area, pop an ibuprofen, and simply give it some time. And then there are those who swear by using a breast pump to suction out the infection.
But to this Reddit poster, those other methods just don't cut it — and she has zero shame in having her husband do it for her.
In fact, she thinks it's pretty hypocritical for cisgender women to scoff at the whole thing, considering other things they do in their marriage that might be considered "gross."
And that's where this little thread turns a bit NSFW.
"How many years have you sucked your husbands d—??" the mom asked in her post. "Even swallowed his c– and acted like it tasted like cake icing."
"Ooooooh sooooo good. Riiiiiiiiiiight?" she went on.
"But when it comes time to reciprocate the favor and actually have them do a simple medical service it's 'my poor husband' or 'I'm scared to ask my husband,'" she continued. "What. The. Heck."
There are plenty of other reasons why the mom thinks all the fuss is ridiculous, though.
Basically, if the stuff that comes out of her boob is good enough for her baby, then why is it so "gross" if her husband gets a little in his mouth?
"My baby drinks this milk all day every day and she’s healthy and strong," the mom shared. "There’s nutritional value to this milk. Last I check there wasn’t any in c– … "
There's also this: "I don’t get a pity party when my husband asks me to get down on my knees," she continued. "'My poor wife' … 'Oh shame, she’s got to give me a blow job.”
"I just don’t understand what the shame is about," the mom concluded. "When I get a clogged duct, I scream for my husband. I’m not fooling with hours and hours of boob torture and devices if I have help. Though I will help to loosen it up a bit."
Another bonus, according to the poster, is that you can even make the whole thing kind of fun and "sexy," if you choose to take it that route. And then you can "get it on" after the job is done, she shared.
For the most part, a lot of commenters agreed with her.
"I don’t get it either," wrote one Reddit poster, who wondered aloud if it has more to do with the fact that a lot of women are "averse to their husbands touching their boobs while nursing."
In that case, she suggested that it "could be too much of a mental hill to get past," and if so, women need to just stick to whatever works for them.
"My husband would do it if I asked, but I’ve never asked because if the boobie monster can’t unstick that clog, I doubt the non professional will get it out," she added. "So far, my favorite trick is the Haakaa [breast pump] and the epsom salt mix."
Another mom agreed, saying the Haaka breast pump works for her in these situations. Other than that, though, her baby does most of the work during feedings.
"I also feel the baby is more 'professional' at getting the milk out, and by that I mean more efficient," she shared. "The Haakaa also works for me, with massage."
"My baby didn’t have the suction to get mine out," the Original Poster replied. "To each their own."
Some moms admit to trying the husband "hack" but it ending in a bust.
"On the contrary, my husband sucked as hard as he could, and it I swear my soul left my body," one mom joked. "The man didn’t know what he was doing!"
"My husband tried once to no avail," added another mom. "He claimed my boobs could sense his facial hair and shut it down."
But overall, a lot of moms agreed that the "mental" hurdle of it all was the biggest issue.
"My boobs have lost all sex appeal for the moment," one mom shared. "I can’t view them as anything other than my child’s sustenance. Luckily, I have not had to deal with any clogs yet."
That said, a lot of women pointed out that the whole thing doesn't have to be sexualized at all.
"I totally understand not being able to sexualize breasts when nursing, so that doesn’t seem weird to me," one mom wrote. "It makes sense you wouldn’t want your partner to touch them."
That said, unclogging the duct is simply "a necessity," she pointed out. If you think about it this way, "There’s nothing sexual about it. If the choice is pain or having my SO help me, I’d rather he just get the job done."
The Original Poster gave this comment a big 'ole YEP, adding that it feels "amazing" when the clog finally comes out after hours of torture. In other words: The ends more than justify the means.
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