Breastfeeding your children should be “natural”, right? Correct, but natural does not mean without challenges.
Mastitis is a common problem amongst breastfeeding women. According to Mayo Clinic, “mastitis is an inflammation of breast tissue that sometimes involves an infection.” The inflammation leads to breast pain, swelling, warmth and redness.
A clogged duct is the usual suspect for moms who experience mastitis. For TikTok mom @tylermarioates, a blocked duct led to sepsis which was the physical reaction of the infection. She was also kind enough to take video footage of the clots she passed after she went septic.
The chunk of clotted breastmilk is one of the many clots she passed.
“Breastfeeding is not for the weak”, Tyler captioned her video.
@tylermarieoates Breast feeding is not for the week #HowIBathAndBodyWorks #MyTeacherWins #ChimeHasYourBack #mastitis #breastfeeding #medical #medicaltiktok #gross ♬ original sound – tylermarieoates
The video is currently on 10 million views on TikTok and has been re-shared on multiple platforms.
The big question under the comment section is “how is that supposed to come out?” A friendly mom answered and said, “it comes out as regular breastmilk does- it congeals together once it sits. No fun at all.”
While some TikTok users were curious, others felt further convicted by their stance of not bearing any children of their own. “I’ll adopt,” one user said.
What does a blocked milk duct look like?
According to Mayo Clinic, “a plugged duct is an obstruction of milk flow in a portion of the breast, either at the nipple or further back in the ductal system.” Symptoms include:
- Pain
- A hard lump
- Engorgement in the breast
What causes blocked milk ducts?
When milk ducts are not drained well, this may lead to blockages. This is because milk does not flow as it should, and this may be caused by:
- Missed or limited feedings
- Limited breast emptying
- Pressure on the breast
When the blocked duct gets infected, it may lead to sepsis which can be detrimental to a mother’s health.
How to treat a clogged milk duct at home
The engorgement can be excruciating for moms, and managing the symptoms is important, but unclogging it is key. To help unclog a duct, moms can use:
- Warm compressions under the shower
- Firm massages on the affected area
- Nurse or pump the affected breast
