Does this sound familiar... you pump and pump and nothing comes out, or you pump an extra 10 minutes and you still hardly get anything, or you pump and your breasts still feel kinda full when your done?

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!).

1. Put two cabbage leaves in the freezer for at least a couple hours.
2. 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.
3. Place the cabbage leaves over your breasts for about 5-10 minutes.
4. 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!

It's no secret that you can find every shape and size imaginable in breasts and the same goes for nipples. That's why they make different size nipple shields for breast pumps.

Your breast shield should fit snug against your breast and when turned on your nipple should pull into the center of the cylinder slightly. If your nipple rubs on the inside of the cylinder when centered your breast shield is too small. If your entire nipple and sometime part of the breast is being sucked into the cylinder the shield is too large.

Most retailers like Target and Babies R Us carry the different size shields.

You want to make sure you have the correct size shield so you can effectively pump all the milk - you don't want to leave any in there! And it can be painful and cause sores and blisters on the nipples if the incorrect size is worn.

If you try a different size and are still having troubles, try contacting your local Lactation Consultant and they can help you get fitted in the right size.

And remember - you nipple can change after you start pumping. So what might have fit at the hospital, many not be the right size 3 weeks later.

Happy Pumping!