Skip to content 
Clogged milk ducts are one of the most common conditions in breastfeeding women. If you’ve ever experienced a blocked passageway, you’re not alone – around two out of three women will be affected.
Although not dangerous to health, milk retention methods are often painful and very frustrating for mothers, they can affect how the breastfeeding journey looks.
Bonnie Forbes, a 19-year-old nurse, was inspired to become an Internationally Board Certified lactation consultant after working in intensive care and neonatal intensive care for most of her career. Seeing new mothers struggle with the stress of having premature babies, while navigating the challenges of breastfeeding, made Bonnie want to do more. With a nine-month-old and a two-and-a-half-year-old, Bonnie has her hands full, but dedicates her time to working with new moms in need. “I think the best part of being a lactation consultant was having my own baby. I felt that I could offer support and advice to other mothers with the certainty that I had experienced my own breastfeeding journey.”
We asked Bonnie to talk about blocked ducts, why they happen, how to treat them, and when women should seek help.
What are milk ducts?
Before we understand why blocked milk ducts occur, it may be helpful to discuss how the ducts work and how they work, says Bonnie.
The ducts are very complex tubes that carry milk from small sacs called alveoli to the nipple. When it gets close to the nipples, the ducts connect into nine ducts at the nipple from which the milk can flow.
“Many women I see are surprised to hear that there is more than one hole where the milk comes out of the breast,” says Bonnie. Many mothers do not know this before they start their breastfeeding journey.
Learn more about breast structure.
What is the method of blocking milk?
Although in the past years experts believed that blockages or “plugs” were caused by solid or sticky milk, recent research shows that this is not the case.
“A blocked duct is caused by a low milk supply, or a backflow of milk in the breasts that causes inflammation that leads to a lump or hard area,” Bonnie explains. So a tumor that is associated with a blocked process is inflammation, not a stable or unstable milk supply.
What are the symptoms of milk blockage?
One of the signs of blocked passage is that Bonnie is more visible after breastfeeding. “With the closed approach there is a noticeable relief when the breast milk is removed. The lump looks smaller and feels a little softer.” Read more here about the symptoms of mastitis.
Some common symptoms of a blocked pathway include (but are not limited to):
What are the biggest threats to blocked milk ducts?
Although there are a number of reasons that lead to blocked passage, one of the most difficult for new mothers to fix on their own is the blockage.
“If the baby is not feeding well and draining the breast well, this can lead to blockage of the muscles,” says Bonnie who advises seeking professional help if this is the case. “This is where your lactation consultant can help you, but they need to see how you are breastfeeding as every baby and mother is different.”
Other causes of blocked ducts include (but are not limited to):
- wearing clothes or a bra that is too tight, creates pressure
- persistent pressure in one area of the breast
- rub the breast aggressively
- breast or breast injury
- the number of bacteria in your gut/microbiome
- to interfere
- delayed feeding/length between feedings.
How do I call the milk blocking method?
Although there are treatments that can help, it’s important to remember that every problem is different. “I always recommend seeking individualized support for feeding – we’re not all the same,” says Bonnie. “A lactation specialist – preferably an experienced “IBCLC” provides the necessary support and advice.
- try to sleep on your back if possible to avoid pressure on the breast
- avoid tight underwear and tight clothing
- Breastfeed the affected breast first
- frequent and continuous feedings, 8 – 10 in 24 hours
- if you are separated from the baby, hand or pump Express to keep the milk flowing
- massage very gently from the swelling to the nipple during breastfeeding
- paracetamol or ibuprofen, in consultation with your healthcare provider
- take a hot shower or apply a warm washcloth to the entire chest for 1-2 minutes before eating.
Lactamo can also help women who are experiencing pain and pressure from blocked milk ducts. Warmed a little in a cup of hot water, Lactamo can be used to gently massage the breast tissue to promote relief from symptoms associated with engorgement, blocked ducts, mastitis and others. Read more here about how Lactamo can help you on your breastfeeding journey.
All health advice recommends seeking advice from a lactation consultant, child and family health nurse, or GP if symptoms persist for more than 12 hours.
Can a blocked duct cause mastitis?
By using the above methods, many women are able to eliminate the blockage without medical help. However, if it is not followed, the blocked process can become inflamed or cause mastitis. Read more about mastitis here.
“Even though a blocked duct is painful, it doesn’t cause the high fever, body aches, headaches and discomfort that mastitis does,” says Bonnie. “If left untreated, mastitis can be fatal.”
If your symptoms persist or do not improve with the usual treatment, see your doctor. Read more here about its causes, prevention and treatment.
Where can I get help and support?
Lactation Consultants Australia and New Zealand can help you find a lactation consultant near you.
Ask your doctor, midwife, obstetrician, or health care provider to connect you with a local lactation consultant.
The Australian Breastfeeding Association has many resources available including a 24-hour helpline for new mothers, face-to-face consultations, and online classes.
*Note: while breast lumps are often a part of breastfeeding, not all breast lumps are related to breastfeeding. This site provides information and is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If your symptoms persist or worsen, or if you have any concerns, always consult your doctor.
Click on the links below to read more on these topics:
- How to tell the difference between mastitis and blocked ducts
- Anatomy of the Breast
- Carrying your hospital bag