You’re breastfeeding and notice that you’re experiencing discomfort during feedings? You may also notice a red line on your breast; this could be a blocked milk duct!

A blocked milk duct may be suspected if you notice:

• Discomfort or pain when feeding
• A red spot on your breast that follows the milk duct and is sensitive to touch
• A white spot at the tip of your nipple (clotted milk blocking the milk duct and making it uncomfortable for you to feed)

What to do if your milk duct seems blocked?

• Increase breast-feeding frequency
• Apply heat to the site for a few minutes before and during the feed to help dilate the vessel so that the power of the baby’s suckling can push the milk clot out.
• Massage your breast at the same time as the baby feeds, to help expel the plug blocking the duct.
• Use steam to help release the clot. To do this, fill a glass halfway with very hot water (be careful not to burn yourself). Then place your breast in the glass (the tip of the breast, including the nipple and areola and more) so that the opening is completely covered, so that the steam from the heat dilates the pores of the ducts coming out of the nipple, and helps release the clot (the breast must not touch the water).
• Vary your breastfeeding positions, favouring, if you can, an orientation of the baby’s nose towards the blocked duct to promote better drainage.
• Make sure you don’t produce too much milk, which can lead to milk stagnation and the formation of milk clots.
• Make sure your baby has a good latch and sucks well.

Presence of white button

If there’s a persistent white pimple at the tip of your nipple and it’s still bothering you despite all the concrete steps you’ve taken to resolve the situation, a lactation consultant may be able to help. She’ll do a complete assessment, observe a feeding, examine your structures and may recommend other practical tips as needed, such as:

• Prick the button with a small sterile needle to expel as much of the coagulated milk as possible. This does not cause significant pain for the mother, but rather the relief of extracting the milk plug. Giving the baby a drink after the procedure allows the baby’s suction to finalize the expulsion.
• Use an electric toothbrush to try to break up the clot by vibration, applying the vibrating part directly to the site.
• Using ultrasound treatment

Remain confident, in the vast majority of cases, everything is resolved in a very positive way!

Marie Fortier
The baby expert

Article updated: April 2025.

References :

• • La ligue de la lèche.(2017). 6 trucs et solutions pour les canaux bloqués. Repéré le 31 mars 2025 à https://allaitement.ca/allaitement/6-trucs-et-solutions-pour-les-canaux-bloques/

• • Fondation Canadienne de l’allaitement. (2005). Canaux lactifères bloqués et mastites. Repéré le 31 mars 2025 à https://www.canadianbreastfeedingfoundation.org/fr/articles/mastites.shtml

  • Deitra L. Lowdermilk, Shannon E. Perry, Kitty Cashion. (2012). Dans Chenelière Éducation (Éd.), Soins infirmiers – Périnatalité, 2e édition.