Does lecithin help with clogged milk ducts?

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Lecithin is a food additive that may help prevent clogged ducts in some women. If you're prone to blocked milk ducts, lecithin may help reduce the frequency with which they occur.



Also to know is, how much lecithin should I take for clogged milk ducts?

Lecithin has been recommended to combat recurrent plugged ducts. The usual recommended dosage for recurrent plugged ducts is 3600-4800 mg lecithin per day, or 1 capsule (1200 milligram) 3-4 times per day. After a week or two with no blockage, mom can reduce the dosage by one capsule.

Furthermore, what type of lecithin is used for plugged ducts? Organic Sunflower Lecithin is a natural fat emulsifier that can help to reduce the "stickiness" of the milk and deter fats from clumping together. It may also loosen existing fatty clogs and improve milk flow. Suggested Use: For plugged ducts, take 1 softgel 3-4 times daily.

Likewise, people ask, does lecithin unclog milk ducts?

Lecithin is a phospholipid, which has both hydrophobic (affinity for fats and oils) and hydrophilic (affinity for water) elements. It's thought to help prevent the breast ducts from getting plugged by increasing the polyunsaturated fatty acids in the milk and decreasing its stickiness.

What does lecithin do to breastmilk?

Lecithin is a food supplement that seems to help some mothers prevent blocked ducts. It may do this by decreasing the viscosity (stickiness) of the milk, by increasing the percentage of polyunsaturated fatty acids in the milk.

35 Related Question Answers Found

Can you take too much lecithin?

In normal doses, lecithin may cause side effects. These can include stomach aches, diarrhea, or loose stools. It isn't known what symptoms would occur if you take too much lecithin. There are no known food or medicine interactions with lecithin.

How long does it take lecithin to unclog ducts?

How long does it take for lecithin to work for clogged ducts? No research has been done to give us a definitive answer on this, but most women in our Facebook group who have used lecithin have noticed results within 24-48 hours.

What do I do if my clogged milk duct won't unclog?

Blocked milk duct
Try these tips straight away to ease the problem. Have a hot shower, and massage the breast under water to help break up the lump. Use a warm compress to help soften the lump – try a warmed (not hot) heat pack, wrapped in a soft cloth and held to your breast for a few minutes.

How can I unclog my milk ducts fast?

Treatment and home remedies
  1. Applying a heating pad or warm cloth for 20 minutes at a time.
  2. Soaking the breasts in warm Epsom salt baths for 10–20 minutes.
  3. Changing breastfeeding positions so that the baby's chin or nose points toward the clogged duct, making it easier to loosen the milk and drain the duct.

Does ibuprofen help clogged milk ducts?


Look for dried milk secretions or a clogged pore on the nipple. Soak the visible plug in warm water. Then gently try to express the plug by hand. If needed, take acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) to help relieve the pain.

Can dehydration cause clogged milk ducts?

Overabundant Milk Supply: If your body produces too much breast milk, it can lead to breast engorgement and plugged milk ducts. Dehydration and Fatigue: Lack of rest and not drinking enough fluids can put you at a greater risk of developing plugged milk ducts.

How long can milk ducts stay clogged?

Most clogged ducts resolve within 1–2 days, with or without treatment. Regular, consistent breastfeeding is the fastest way to resolve a clogged duct. It is essential to empty the breast with the clogged duct completely during each breastfeeding session.

Is Lecithin good for weight loss?

Nature's emulsifier: Lecithin & weight loss
It is best known for its function of burning fat and keeping the liver in excellent condition to enhance metabolism. As an emulsifier, lecithin can also keep fats dissolved as a liquid, which helps the body's processing and movement of fats.

Does lecithin affect baby?

It is not known whether lecithin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this product without medical advice if you are breast-feeding a baby. Do not give any herbal/health supplement to a child without medical advice.

How long before a plugged duct becomes mastitis?


Mastitis is most common in the first 2-3 weeks, but can occur at any stage of lactation. Mastitis may come on abruptly, and usually affects only one breast. Local symptoms are the same as for a plugged duct, but the pain/heat/swelling is usually more intense.

Why is lecithin bad for you?

Soy lecithin is a generally safe food additive. Because it's present in such small amounts in food, it's unlikely to be harmful. Though evidence supporting soy lecithin as a supplement is somewhat limited, the evidence backing choline could steer people toward this food additive in supplement form.

How much lecithin is in an egg?

Soy lecithin contains roughly 33% PC. Egg yolk lecithin, on the other hand, is made up of 66-76% PC (see Table 1: below).

What is the difference between soy lecithin and sunflower lecithin?

While soybean lecithin tends to come in granulated capsule form, you can buy sunflower lecithin in both powder and liquid form, too. Sunflower lecithin isn't as common, but some people prefer it, especially if they're trying to avoid genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in their food.

Does Walmart sell sunflower lecithin?

NOW Supplements, Sunflower Lecithin with naturally occurring Phosphatidyl Choline and Other Phosphatides, Liquid, 16-Ounce - Walmart.com.

Is Lecithin good for anxiety?


Lecithin is used for treating memory disorders such as dementia and Alzheimer's disease. It is also used for treating gallbladder disease, liver disease, certain types of depression, high cholesterol, anxiety, and a skin disease called eczema. Some people apply lecithin to the skin as a moisturizer.

How do you tell if clogged duct is gone?

Signs of a clogged duct include:
  1. A hard lump in the breast that is still there even after nursing.
  2. Sometimes (but not always) a “milk blister” on the end of the nipple.
  3. Sometimes, your breast may feel warm to the touch.
  4. You may notice a pink or red spot by the lump that may be tender.

Does lecithin make breast milk less fatty?

Lecithin is a food supplement that seems to help some mothers prevent blocked ducts. It may do this by decreasing the viscosity (stickiness) of the milk by increasing the percentage of polyunsaturated fatty acids in the milk. It's just easier for the hind-milk to come out. The fattier milk.