Episode 04: How to prevent recurrent plugged ducts

Goal: help you to keep plugged ducts from happening

You should focus on 5 things to keep plugged ducts from being a reoccurring issue: 

1. Don't wear underwire bras (until you are done nursing)
2. Don’t go too long without nursing. (Stay on your typical nursing schedule and if you have to skip a nursing session then try to express milk as soon as you can by pumping or hand expression)
3. Switch up your nursing position at least once a day 
4. Hand express for 30 seconds after you pump, every time that you pump!
5. Try to manage oversupply issues

According to KellyMom.com a plugged duct is: "An area of the breast where milk flow is obstructed."

What causes them:

• Failure to remove milk
• Going too long in between nursing sessions
• Pressure on the area (example: wearing an underwire bra)

If you are getting recurrent plugged ducts, I recommend seeing a Lactation Consultant, specifically an IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant), in addition to the recommendations below: 

Don't wear underwire bras (while you are nursing)

• Obvious advice that you hear a lot of places
• Why risk it? 
• First plug i got was after i wore an underwire bra

Don’t go too long without nursing. 

• Clogged ducts are caused by the failure to remove milk from your boob
• Makes sense that going to long will cause a clog
• Stay on a nursing schedule
  • If you nurse on demand, which is what i recommend, don’t deviate from your routine too much
  • Express by hand or with pump if you are in a situation where you have to skip a feeding
  • Or nurse ASAP after a skipped feeding
• Also, don't cut your nursing sessions too short
• If you get milk flowing and then stop the flow before your boob has been adequately drained it can cause a clog
• Keep track with the Sprout app
• Try to nurse for at least 5 minutes each side

Switch up your nursing position at least once a day (if you typically do cross-cradle, then for one daily session do the football hold)

• It stimulates different milk ducts
• Made a big difference for me 
  • A lactation consultant helped me figure this out
•  Remind yourself to change it up once per day

Hand express for 30 seconds after you pump, every time that you pump!

• Never found this advice online in all my research
• Really helpful if you travel or pump at work
• You’ll get more milk too
  • Video from Stanford Medicine about hand expression and pumping
• Also, massage your boobs while you pump

Oversupply issue

• If you have an issue with oversupply, that can lead to plugged ducts as well
• A IBCLC can help resolve oversupply issues
  • Website to find an IBCLC in your area

To recap, to prevent plugged ducts from reoccurring: 

1. Don't wear underwire bras while nursing
2. Don’t go too long without nursing. And don't cut your nursing sessions too short
3. Switch up your nursing position at least once a day
4. Hand express for 30 seconds after you pump
5. Try to manage oversupply issues

Thank you for listening!

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