Plugged milk ducts

When the milk ducts are plugged, the milk can no longer flow to the nipples. The milk builds up and leads to hardened, painful areas.

If you experience this, you should immediately contact your midwife or lactation counsellor to receive help in preventing mastitis from developing.

As with engorgement, you should gently express some milk by hand (this is best done while taking a warm shower) and then cool the affected breast with compresses.

It is also important here that you breastfeed your baby regularly. You should particularly ensure that your baby latches on correctly and feeds until your breast is completely empty.