Why do I get clogged milk ducts?

A clogged milk duct is a tender, sometimes hard lump in the breast where milk has backed up in one duct - milk stasis. The causes are flow interruptions: a missed or shortened feed, a long stretch between feeds, a poor latch that drains the breast unevenly, tight bras or straps pressing on breast tissue, sleeping on your stomach, and plain exhaustion, which slows everything. The NHS lists blocked ducts among common breastfeeding problems, and the lump is usually sore but without fever or feeling ill - that distinction matters. Clearing it: keep milk moving - nurse or pump frequently, starting on the sore side; position the baby's chin toward the lump to drain that area; use warmth before feeds - a warm compress or shower - and gentle massage from behind the lump toward the nipple during the feed; cold compresses after feeds calm the inflammation. Most clogs clear within a day or two of this routine. The old advice to massage aggressively is out - firm but gentle wins. The escalation to catch: mastitis - a clogged duct that gets infected or inflamed. If you develop flu-like symptoms - fever, chills, body aches - a red, hot, painful breast area, or feeling genuinely ill, that is mastitis, and it needs a provider call promptly, often antibiotics, while keeping milk flowing. A lump that never clears after a week or two of good drainage also deserves a check. Pymander is a free AI doctor, 24/7 by text. Describe the lump and how long it has been there, and it can help you clear it safely.