Viral video proves clogged milk ducts are ‘no flipping joke’

A TikTok video that went viral last year is doing the rounds again – and it’s easy to see why. 

Mum Tyler-Marie Oates shared a video of what a clot looks like after it has passed through the milk ducts, and it isn’t pretty. 

“In case your significant other doesn’t believe you that a clogged duct hurts, show them this,” she captioned the video.

@tylermarieoates Another day…. another clot #NissanShowUp #SoFiMoneyMoves #mastitis #breastfeeding #medical #medicaltiktok #gross #fypシ #HowIBathAndBodyWorks ♬ Oh No – Kreepa

Unfortunately, for this breastfeeding mama, her clogged milk ducts led to a serious case of mastitis.

“I went septic from mastitis and this is one of the many clots I passed,” she added

“My boob was going to explode”

In April last year, when Tyler-Marie spiked a fever, she had a feeling it was mastitis so the mum of a three-month-old baby went to the hospital. 

Once there, all the tests for mastitis came back negative but she stayed the night while waiting for the results from her COVID test. 

“Overnight, I began to get worse and started spiking a high fever again,” Tyler-Marie told BuzzFeed. “The next morning, I noticed my boob had started turning red, was swollen, and extremely full. When I would pump, hardly anything would come out, and if it did, it was blood. There was a crazy amount of pressure, it almost felt as if my boob was going to explode.”

Her fever reached 40°C, her heart rate increased and her blood pressure dropped — the early signs of sepsis.

Finally, Tyler-Marie was diagnosed with mastitis.

For three days Tyler-Marie pumped to try and suck the infection out. She was sent home, only to return two days later, with signs of sepsis again.

“A little thicker than a shoelace string”

Doctors told her she would need to keep pumping or have surgery to remove the clots. 

“I was already away from my daughter for almost [a week] and was determined to get back to her. So I took pain meds, and with the help of my boyfriend and the amazing lactation nurses there, I pumped and got it out,” she said.

Tyler-Marie passed between 10 and 15 clots, one of which she shared on Tik Tok. 

“It was not pleasant by any means and would honestly burn on their way out,” she said.

“The clot came out of my nipple. It squeezes its way out, and yes it’s extremely painful, but I was on medicine, which helped me get through it. I also dangle pumped and used gravity to help pull the clots out along with a lot of pushing with my hands and fist. 

“When the clots would come out, they would be a little thicker than a shoelace string while exiting and in the bottle would form together to make the slime-like ball in the video.”

@tylermarieoates Make sure your following so you don’t miss it! #OneSliceChallenge #StudentSectionSauce #mastitis #medical #breastfeeding #medicaltiktok #gross ♬ original sound – tylermarieoates

“Clogged ducts are no flipping joke!!!”

Commenters who saw Tyler-Marie’s video were quick to offer their sympathies. 

“Clogged ducts are no flipping joke!!! I feel you momma. I’m so so sorry,” said one commenter.

Another said: “Both clots you’ve posted look super rough mama, hope you feel better after passing these!”

Others said they didn’t even realise this could happen when breastfeeding. 

“I got mastitis with 104 fevers, even had an occasional clogged duct, but nothing like this. As a nurse, I’m baffled how this comes out, how???!!!”

Another added, “Had no idea this was even a thing 😳”

What is mastitis?

So what is mastitis? Mastitis is an inflammation of the breast that can lead to infection.

Speaking to Tell Me Baby in a Facebook Live, Midwife Tylah explained, “It’s caused when those ducts get blocked, and they get infected, and it can even lead to abscesses in your breast that then have to be surgically drained.”

As for symptoms, Tylah says one of the earliest signs of mastitis is flu-like feelings.

“You will feel like you’re coming down with something, but probably, the most visually obvious is that your breasts will go red and they’ll become inflamed.”

How to unblock milk ducts?

The Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA) says to drain the breast often but be gentle. 

“Your breasts need to be kept as empty as possible,” says the ABA website. “Your baby’s sucking is the best way to do this. The milk is quite safe for your baby to drink.”

Feed more often than usual, starting each feed on the sore breast. Let your baby suck long enough on the side to make sure that it is being drained well. However, take care not to let the other breast become too full, as it may cause a similar problem in that breast.”

If that doesn’t work, Tylah has an interesting tip that might help to clear a blocked milk duct: use a toothbrush.

“But some people also use things like electric toothbrushes to try and move the milk down – that vibration could help sort of break it up and get the milk out.

“The biggest thing would be, if you notice mastitis coming on, to try and see a GP straight away and get on top of it with antibiotics.”