Clogged or blocked milk ducts happen. There's numerous reasons and at one time or another most pumping moms especially exclusively pumping and ones transitioning from nursing to pumping get one. The key is to get it fixed quick, so it doesn't lead to something else like mastitis.
One old wives tale that I've seen work for some moms that had a clogged milk duct is using cabbage leaves. (ever heard don't ask why just do it - this would be one of them!).
- Put two cabbage leaves in the freezer for at least a couple hours.
- About 5 minutes before you're ready to pump, take the cabbage leaves out of the freezer and score the back of the cabbage leave.
- Place the cabbage leaves over your breasts for about 5-10 minutes.
- Then go pump all that milk out!
Now... I've heard some moms do the exact opposite to relieve a blocked milk duct. They microwave the cabbage leaves till they're warm and leave them on their breast for 20-40 minutes. I haven't tried or seen this one done. But if the cold way doesn't work you can always try the warm one!