Blocked milk ducts
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Blocked milk ducts
Milk ducts in the breast may become blocked during breast-feeding when the breasts are full and not emptied regularly or thoroughly. Blocked milk ducts cause a lump that is occasionally tender and can become infected (mastitis).
Blocked milk ducts may be treated by:
- Breast-feeding more often and in different positions, which helps drain milk from all parts of the breast.
- Breast-feeding from the affected breast first, to move milk through the breast faster.
- Applying moist heat to the area just before breast-feeding and hand-expressing or pumping a small amount of milk.
- Massaging the area, always working toward the nipple, to increase the flow of milk before and during breast-feeding.
Credits
| Author | Kathe Gallagher, MSW |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Associate Editor | Denele Ivins |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman, MATC |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine |
| Last Updated | May 10, 2007 |
| Last updated: | May 10, 2007 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Kathe Gallagher, MSW |
| Reviewed By: | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine, Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine |
| Editors: | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman, MATC |
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