PLUGGED DUCTS: If you notice a tender spot, redness, or sore lump in the breast and you do NOT have a fever, the most likely cause is a plugged milk duct. This usually occurs because the duct is not draining properly and has become inflamed. Plugged ducts most often come on gradually and they may shift in location. Most of the time only one breast is affected. You should feel little or no heat on the affected area and you will probably feel generally well with a temperature of less than 101 degrees.

Treatment includes the following: Apply heat (a warm shower or bath, heating pad, hot water bottle) to and massage the affected area prior to nursing or pumping. When massaging the area use a gentle, but firm circular motion as you work your way down from the area toward the nipple. Nurse your baby or pump immediately after treating the area with the heat and massage; continue the massage during nursing/pumping. Nurse or pump the affected breast at least every 2 hours as long as the symptoms persist. Always nurse baby on the affected side first. As you nurse or pump, loosen any constrictive clothing, especially your bra. Varying nursing positions and making sure that baby is latched properly may help to relieve the plug as well. Some moms find that leaning over the sink while massaging allows gravity to help with dislodging the plug. Soaking your breast in salt water or splashing salt water upon the breast and applying warmed, moist cabbage leaves to the affected area may also promote healing. Advil or Motrin can both be taken for any pain and will also helped to reduce the inflammation. Adequate rest is essential as a plugged duct may be the first sign that you are trying to do too much. If after one week of careful treatment to the affected area, the symptoms are still present or have escalated into symptoms of a bacterial infection ( see below), contact your doctor IMMEDIATELY!

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Recurrent Mastitis or Plugged Ducts