Blocked ducts

• Apply moist heat in between and during feeds. Wet compresses can be warmed in the microwave, 15 seconds at a time, until the proper temperature (Be careful!)
• Try a warm salt-water soak. Soak the affected breast for around 20 minutes, prior to breast-feeding, in a basin of warm water. Use at least half a teaspoon of salt for each cup of warm water
• Massage. A firm, circular massage can be used during the soak and while breast-feeding
• Breast-feed frequently from the affected breast
• Don't forget the basics. Proper positioning and attachment are very important in assuring adequate breast drainage. Some mums have luck using a rather unusual position. Place your baby on the bed and nurse from above, with your breasts hanging freely. You can also do some breast massage over the area of the blockage while your baby is feeding. Obviously, this isn't an everyday position, but it may help with the more stubborn blocked ducts
• Try a cabbage compress on the affected area. Use a small piece of cabbage (only a bit larger than the affected area), crinkling the veins in your hand, and warming it slightly in the microwave (be careful). Apply to the area, using your bra to hold it in place. Replace about every two hours. Also try a cold cabbage leaf, straight from the fridge, held inside your bra
• Make dietary changes. Try adding salt to your diet. Lecithin can also be added as a dietary supplement - one tablespoon a day
• Rule out the possibility of yeast in your breast ducts. Have you or your baby had any problems with candidiasis? Have you taken antibiotics or steroids? If you, your midwife or health visitor feel this could be affecting the situation, a systemic anti-fungal medicine would need to be used to treat thrush within the milk ducts
• Take a closer look at your wardrobe. Could your bra (or its underwiring) be constrictive? How about the bra straps? Are they digging into your shoulder? Do you use breast shells, or thick bra pads? Are you wearing a tight bathing suit? Put away all of your constrictive clothes for the time being
• Other factors may be playing a role. Your sleeping position (lying on your stomach), the type of baby carrier or sling used, seatbelts etc can cause pressure on milk ducts, which can be problematic in mums susceptible to blocked ducts. Excessive upper arm exercise has also been implicated in recurrent blocked ducts.

Your baby's fussiness at your breast could be more than a difficulty in getting milk from that side. You may have developed a case of mastitis. With mastitis, the sodium content of your milk rises and most babies are not thrilled at the taste of salty breast milk. You can express a bit of your milk and taste it yourself to see if it is sweet, as it should be, or if it has a salty taste. (If it does taste salty, it is important to discuss this and the possibility of mastitis with your midwife or health visitor.) If you begin to develop a fever or flu-like symptoms, have a reddened area on your breast or are unable to free up a blocked duct on your own, you need to have your condition seen to by your midwife or GP.