Hello Beautiful! Does plugged ducts stealing your joy? Did you know taking lecithin supplements can help you prevent them from recurring.  If you’re dealing with one right now, lecithin is not likely to help to resolve it but taking a supplement of lecithin helps your milk flow easier and not form clogs.

Does it mean I’m lecithin deficient?

No, that’s not likely, I always recommended you find what is causing your recurrent plugged ducts. Plugged ducts happen when milk doesn’t move out of your breast for a prolonged time. Making sure milk is removed from your breast effectively and frequently is the best way to prevent plugged ducts. This involves making sure your baby has a good latch and has proper oral motor functions to remove milk efficiently or ensuring that you’re pumping frequently enough with an effective breast pump. You might be more prone to them if you produce much more milk than your baby needs or if your baby has difficulties removing milk from your breast effectively. While working on resolving whatever breastfeeding issue you may be struggling with you can try lecithin to relieve your symptoms. 

What is lecithin and how to use it?

Lecithin occurs naturally in many foods like soybeans, egg yolks and sunflower. It’s mainly found in food groups such as meat, seafood and dairy products. Lecithin is added to certain foods as an emulsifier as well, helping stabilize mixtures and prevent different parts from separating. It’s also available as a supplement and is used to help lower cholesterol levels and support better brain function. It can be found in capsule, liquid or granule form as a simple and convenient way to bump up your daily intake. In breastfeeding it is thought to decrease milk viscosity, making it less sickly and less likely to cause plugs.

According to the blog Kelly Mom “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. If there is no blockage within another 2 weeks she can reduce it again by one. Mom may need to continue taking 1-2 capsules per day if stopping the lecithin leads to additional plugged ducts.”

Which one do I chose?

If you’re wondering what type of lecithin to use, it doesn’t seem to make a difference so consider your own preferences and what you think you can tolerate better. There are no known contraindications to its use by breastfeeding mothers.

If you feel like you tried it all and are still struggling, please find someone who can help navigate your unique situation. You can totally rack breastfeeding and motherhood. Don’t let plugged ducts steal your motherly joy.