Blocked milk ducts (plugged milk ducts) – stasis of milk in the milk ducts. Each breast is made of 15-25 lobes that produce milk. Each lobe is connected to the nipple by ducts. If any of the lobes is not drained of milk for a few days or one of the ducts is pinched then the milk plug forms that precludes the flow of the milk along the duct. This way the stasis of milk develops in one or several lobes of the breast. If left untreated in two or three days this condition will progress to the non-infectious mastitis.

Causes of blocked milk ducts

• Incomplete drainage of the breast because of the improper latching of the baby to the breast (not all breast lobes drain as a result) 
• Two fingers are used to support the breast during feeds and the index finger may pinch some of the ducts 
• Irregular and inefficient drainage of the breast 
• Tight bra, belly sleep 
• Incomplete drainage of the breast due to the sagging of its bottom part
• Inverted or flat nipple, cracks on the nipple
• Weaning of the baby and the switch to artificial feeding 
• Narrow milk ducts
• Excessive milk production by the mammary gland 
• Stress, overwork and lack of sleep 
• Traumas and injuries to the breast 
• Hypothermia of the breast

Symptoms of blocked milk ducts

• Tender breast 
• Lumps in the breast can be felt in several places
• Sometimes the skin turns red on part of the breast 
• Swelling of the breast 
• Soreness remains following the drainage of the breast 
• Sometimes high temperature up to 38-40°С (100-104 °F), shivering

Treatment of blocked milk ducts

• Express excess milk but not straight after feeding as it may be a signal to increase the production of milk 
• Check if you latch the baby properly on the breast 
• Apply warm compress before the expression of milk. Massage your breast using slow, gentle movements  
• Take a warm shower or a warm bath before expression of breast milk 
• Ancient method of treatment of blocked milk ducts is the application of cabbage leaves to the breast 
• Drain milk with the aid of a breast feed pump, gently massaging your breast.
• Be sure to seek professional medical care. If treated promptly blocked milk ducts can be fully treated in a couple of days. And remember that blocked milk ducts, if left untreated for a few days, may be a precursor to a suppurative mastitis.

Prevention of blocked milk ducts

• Regular breastfeeding of the baby
• Proper latching of the baby to the breast when the baby can suck milk from different areas of the breast. The baby should be positioned correctly at the breast 
• Expression of the remaining milk, but not straight after the feed 
• Support the breast during feeds without applying too much pressure 
• Sleep of the back and on your side 
• Wear loose underwear
• Feed your baby when he or she wants it
• Protect the breast against knocks and injuries 

Mastitis

Non-infectious mastitis is a more complex form of blocked milk ducts.

Causes of the non-infectious mastitis

As a rule, untreated blocked milk ducts 

Symptoms of non-infectious mastitis

High temperature 38-40°С (100-104 °F), shivering
Painful lumps can be felt, redness over lumps 
Pain in the lumps that can be experienced during walking 

Treatment of the non-infectious mastitis 

• In the initial phase – apply cold to the breast 
• Complete drainage of the breast through expression of milk 
• Be sure to seek professional medical help

Infectious mastitis occurs when infection gets into the mammary gland. The main infectious agent that causes mastitis is Staphylococcus aureus - a germ that is naturally present in the environment. The agent enters the mammary gland through cracks in the nipples, skin microtraumas on the breast or through milk ducts. Doctors diagnose a serous, infiltrative and suppurative mastitis – these are three stages of the inflammatory process of the mammary gland. If treated late or inadequately the mastitis may progress to phlegmonous or gangrenous inflammation.

Symptoms of a breast infection (infectious mastitis)

• High temperature 38-40°С (100-104°F), shivering, chills
• Redness of the breast, arching pain
• Milk is mixed with pus 

Treatment of the breast infection 

Diagnosis and treatment of the infectious mastitis must only be carried out by experienced medical staff, self treatment may lead to serious complications.

Prevention of mastitis

• All chronic infectious diseases should be treated before pregnancy 
• Healthy eating habits 
• Correct latching of the baby to the breast 
• Feed your baby when he or she wants it 
• Take a shower every day
• Wash your hands and breast before feeding 
React fast if you see the smallest cracks on nipples – they must be treated with anti-inflammatory agents (sea buckthorn oil, wild rose oil)

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