Have you recently had a clogged duct or mastitis? Often, exclusive pumpers notice a decrease in supply on the affected side. Here’s what you need to know about mastitis and milk supply recovery.
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Clogged ducts (also called plugged ducts or blocked ducts) are blockages that get in the way of milk flowing out of a milk duct. They are small, painful lumps that are tender to the touch.
If clogged ducts aren’t cleared quickly (more on how to do this here), they can become mastitis.
Mastitis is also called the “boob flu” because it has a lot of the same symptoms as the flu – a fever, chills, aches, fatigue – in addition the breast pain from the obstruction.
However, even after clearing the clog and getting over mastitis, many people notice a drop in milk supply.
Loss of supply after mastitis or a clogged duct
It’s typical to see decreased output on the affected side both while you have mastitis or a clogged duct, and after it’s cleared.
To get an idea of how common this is, I did an (obviously unscientific) poll on instagram:
This poll had about 2,500 votes, and over half of the people that responded noted that they had lost supply as a result of mastitis and/or a clogged duct.
Additionally, 19% of the people that responded had had more than one instance of mastitis and/or a clogged duct, and lost supply at least once, but did not at least once.
Finally, 30% did not lose supply at all when they experienced this.
Does milk supply recover after mastitis is resolved?
Many people who lose supply are concerned about whether or not their milk supply will recover after they resolve the clogged duct or get over mastitis.
I did another (unscientific) poll on what happened after this supply loss:
Of the people who lost supply, about 51% recovered it with time and no additional effort, while 20% saw a lasting drop.
Additionally, 29% of the people who responded were able to recover their supply using techniques to increase milk supply.
How to increase milk supply after mastitis or a clogged duct
So what should you do if you’re in the “have to work for it” group?
Here’s how I would start:
- If you missed some sessions while you were sick, get back on your schedule as best you can. If you’re dehydrated, make sure that you’re drinking fluids to thirst.
- When you have time, try pumping longer on the side that was affected by mastitis or the clogged duct. So say that you normally pump for 15 minutes, and you recently lost supply on the left side due to mastitis. You could pump both sides for 15 minutes, and then at the sessions where you have time, add another 5 minutes on the left side only.
- Eat oatmeal for breakfast (any kind is fine). Some people find it helps them pump an extra ounce or two.
- Use heat (a warm washcloth, or something like Booby Tubes) and massage when you pump on the affected side.
- Power pump (on either both sides or just the affected side). Power pumping simulates cluster feeding and can help increase supply by increasing demand.
Hopefully this helps you with recovering your milk supply after mastitis! Let me know in the comments if you have any questions!
Comments & Chitchat
AD says
Hi! Unfortunately I got mastitis of my left breast at day 8 post partum. My LO is now 21 days old, and I finished my antibiotics 3 days ago. I am nursing every 2 to 3 hours and pumping 4 to 5 x a day. I am having to supplement with my expressed breast milk and formula as well. I am worried my supply will not come back. Is there anything else I need to do? I have successfully breast fed my 2 older children for 15 months and 2 years. I would appreciate any help as feel worried my supply won’t come back :(.
Amanda Glenn, CLC says
Hi AD! congrats on your sweet baby and I’m so sorry about the mastitis. It sounds like you are doing all the right things. If you’re not eating oatmeal I would try that, and you could consider making one of your sessions a power pumping session and see if that helps! GOOD LUCK!
Ashley says
I’m almost 2months pp(this Friday). Baby was born sept 1st, mastitis happened sept 28th, put on antibiotics sept 29th for I believe 7days. Supply dropped so fast it was scary. I’m pumping MAYBE .5oz every 3-6hours but she supplements 4oz a day of nutramagen since she’s lactose. I’m taking legendairy supplements, eating oatmeal with wheat germ, Powerade, water, sunflower lecithin. How long did it take some women to bounce back? What else can I do? I used the elvie stride in the beginning and it did WONDERFUL but now the suction is terrible(it was used) now I’m trying another one that was donated to me (pink spectra) gonna get one from WIC tomorrow (medela symphony) and I’m getting one in the mail hopefully soon. I hope those help. Please recommend a hands free pump, I have 5 kids and being wall tethered constantly is just not an option, I need help please
Amanda Glenn, CLC says
Hi Ashley! Oh my goodness mastitis with 5 kids. I am so sorry.
One option might be to just get a battery back from the pick Spectra? You can get a talentcell for about $35 and then you can move around. It is big though – if you want a portable pump that is strong I would go with Baby Buddha.
GOOD LUCK! please let me know if I can help.
Morgan Dunn says
Have you ever heard of supply decreasing on the unaffected side with mastitis? My supply has dropped from 2-3oz to 0.5oz on the affected side and from 1.5-2oz to 2oz on the unaffected side. I also used to get a bigger amount from pumping overnight but now I pump the same amount no matter what. I’m 3 days into my antibiotic course and I still have significant swelling and a large lump in my breast but the systemic symptoms have resolved. Should I wait for the swelling and lump to go away before I start power pumping?
Amanda Glenn, CLC says
Hi Morgan! So sorry you’re dealing with this. I haven’t heard oof the unaffected side losing supply super often. I would wait for the swelling/lump to go away on the affected side before power pumping but I don’t see any issues with the unaffected side. Good luck!!
Samantha says
I’m having the same problem, I’m 15days postpartum and day 3 on my antibiotics I went from 6-8oz per tiddy now I’m lucky to get 3.5oz out of the healthy side and half an oz on the clogged side…super frustrated. I’m looking into lactation supplements if I can’t get it back before my frozen milk stores run out. Does anyone have recommendations for one that works well without significant badside affects
Amanda Glenn, CLC says
A lot of people seem to like the legendairy milk ones. I would also try eating oatmeal if you’re not already. Good luck!
Ayla Lance says
I am 5 months into my breastfeeding journey with my daughter. I got mastitis a few days ago for the first time throughout my entire journey and have noticed a huge decrease in my supply. Was pumping 7-8 ounces at a time and now only pumping 2 ounces at a time. Did anyone have this problem later in their journey rather than at the beginning? I think I went too long without pumping due to being out and about for longer than usual and my left duct got clogged bad. Anything helps! I came this far and really don’t want to have to stop now and plus my baby hates taking formula.
Amanda Glenn, CLC says
So sorry this happened Ayla!
Gloria says
Hi! I’m 2weeks pp and I got mastitis 4 days ago and started antibiotics rather quickly. The affected boob went from about 1 oz to literally drops, sometimes nothing. I still try to dry pump but it’s very frustrating. Baby refuses it because nothing comes out. So my only option is the pump. Any suggestions? Is it gone from the affected side for good?
Amanda Glenn, CLC says
Hi Gloria! Two weeks is still so early – I would definitely keep trying to pump on the affected side each time you nurse on the other and try build up supply. I really think you have a good chance of recovering supply on that side. Keep with it for a few weeks and then see how you’re doing.
Jessica says
I am on day 3 of having mastitis. Already feels much better due to antibiotics. I’m worried I jumped the gun on taking meds and should have tried to resolve it at home first 🙁 my supply is clearly affected and baby has been fussy. Not sure if it’s bc she’s hungry or bc of the antibiotics. I’m 4 months postpartum and taking legendary milk supplements, oatmeal, non-alcoholic guiness, and going to try to power pump. How long does it take for supply to go back to normal??
Amanda Glenn, CLC says
Hi Jessica! Congrats on your baby! So sorry about the mastitis. I don’t think you did anything wrong with taking antibiotics! Regarding supply – that sounds like you’re doing all of the right things. I would maybe give it a week of doing what you’re doing and then reassess. You could try topping off the next session with formula to test whether it’s hunger/antibiotics making her cranky.
Elizabeth says
I am in the middle of a bout of mastitis/infection of the milk ducts following a core needle biopsy. I am 11w post partum and my supply on the affected breast has gone from 2-3oz per pumping down to less than an ounce – and typically less than half an ounce. I’m trying to convince myself my supply will come back when the infection resolves, but the fistula caused by the biopsy also needs to heal so that I don’t lose milk out of the puncture anymore (this was occurring before the infection began). I just feel so discouraged as my journey with breastfeeding/pumping has been more difficult than I could have imagined.
Amanda Glenn, CLC says
I’m so sorry Elizabeth!!! How frustrating. You’re doing a great job – the best you can do with the hand you were dealt.
Jessica says
Hi! Baby is 3.5 weeks old and I got mastitis when he was 1 week old. He feeding difficulties and we were in the NICU for 8 days. Those are now resolved however my milk supply is next to nothing in the affected breast. (Less than half an ounce compared to about 4 oz on the other).
I’m putting him on the affected breast first every feed, eat oatmeal daily, staying hydrated, pumping when I can, feeding every 3 hours. All with no improvement. I think I waited a few days too long to start antibiotics but we were on the verge of getting discharged from the nicu so my focus was there. I’ll be done with my Rx tomorrow.
What else can I do to increase my supply? Is it gone forever? 🙁
Amanda Glenn, CLC says
Hi Jessica! 3.5 weeks is still super early, so I don’t think all is lost. It sounds like you are doing all of the right things. A few things you could maybe try – power pumping when you can, maybe some lactation supplements (I think I would try Legendairy Milk), and doing breast compressions when you pump if you’re not already? I hope this helps!
Rachel says
Hello,
I’m 7 weeks pp and have been exclusively nursing. I had a clogged duct and have noticed a dramatic decrease in my supply. I have not changed my normal nursing schedule much, but have increased a few pump sessions in between in hopes that it increases the supply. I also noticed after the clogged duct, I have not had the noticeable let down I normally have and have tried all the suggested remedies with no luck. Will my supply go back to normal?
Amanda Glenn, CLC says
Hi Rachel! I can’t say for sure. It sounds like you are doing all of the right things. I would just keep going, maybe try power pumping the affected side, eating oatmeal for a week or so, that kind of thing. Give it a week and then see where you’re at and re-evaluate. Good luck!
Lindsay says
I am currently 11 weeks postpartum.
I got a clogged duct last Saturday. My daughter and I were off of our breastfeeding schedule since she had her two-month immunizations and then were visiting family. I didn’t pump as much as I should to supplement the missed feedings.
We were able to remove the clogged duct by Monday, but I’ve seen a drastic decrease in supply on that side.
I’m now feeding her every 1-1.5 because she’s hungry, but I’m scared that my supply won’t return.
I’ve started eating oatmeal, and trying to pump after each feeding.
Amanda Glenn, CLC says
Hi Lindsay! Congrats on your sweet baby. You’re still really early, which is good. I would just keep doing what you’re doing. You can also try power pumping when you have a chance and see if that can help?
https://exclusivepumping.com/power-pumping/
Lindsay says
I am 11 weeks postpartum. I normally breaded my daughter. We were off of our schedule for two days, with her getting 2-month immunizations and visiting family.
I got a clogged duct that took two days to clear. I have seen a drastic reduction in supply on that side.
Im scared that my supply won’t come back.
Tanvi Arora says
Hi – I think I had mastitis about 10 days back and I’m on the final stretch of my antibiotics. I did lose supply on the affected side – get only 3 oz instead of the usual 5-6. It’s been about 10 days do you think my supply can come back? I don’t particularly enjoy pumping so don’t want to spend more time at the pump.
Amanda Glenn, CLC says
Hi Tanvi! I do think so, but it depends on a bunch of factors (how far postpartum, have you gotten your period back, that kind of thing). I think it’s worth trying though!
Lauren says
Was down to 5 pump sessions a day and got mastitis or a clogged duct so increased back to 8 sessions (1 session every 3 hours). How long do I continue this for and how do I get back to 5 sessions?
Amanda Glenn, CLC says
Hi Lauren! Once the infection is cleared I think you can start dropping sessions again. Good luck!
Alyssa says
I find pumping longer (at least 30 min) is needed to ‘empty’ – i get a let down (drops start coming) pretty quickly, but the milk starts flowing closer to 15min so stopping at 20 is difficult – both to get my desired output (about 3-4oz on average) and to feel empty.
Re: the infection – i’m suspicious it may have been caused by baby’s nursing rather than the pumping (her latch probably isn’t great). but i enjoy the (rare) opportunities to nurse her, for bonding reasons.
Alyssa says
No, oversupply isn’t a concern. He just suggested 20min instead of 40min every 3 hours because 40 could be ‘too much’, or potentially damaging to my nipple which could then allow bacteria in. It’s pretty unclear at this point what started the infection.
Amanda Glenn, CLC says
If you’re pumping every 3 hours, then 20 minutes does seem reasonable. Does it take you a while to get a letdown, or is there a reason for the longer sessions?
Alyssa says
hello. i’m currently 11 weeks post partum. i was pumping 40 min per session, about 6-7 times a day. i recently got mastitis (no flu symptoms, but an abscess that had to be drained 😮💨). i generally stick to my pump schedule. my baby even latches in the morning now (but i still pump after). i don’t know what led to the abscess, but my doc said 40 min was too long at the pump. Any thoughts? i appreciate it. i’m really trying to BF at least until baby is 5 months.
Amanda Glenn, CLC says
Hi Alyssa! I would be curious to hear what your doctor’s concerns are with pumping for 40 minutes. Do you know if it was oversupply?