Clogged duct Bites

Okay, if you have ever had a clogged duct, you know they are no joke! They can be incredibly painful, limit breastmilk production and can lead to the M-word! (Mastitis!) Most women are advised to change baby’s nursing position and point baby’s chin towards the clog to get it removed. Other recommendations include hot packing, breast massage before and during nursing or pumping sessions, dangle feeding, checking for tethered oral tissues (tongue ties), and of course starting a lecithin supplement. Lecithin is a fat emulsifier that is prized for “mixing” the fats in the breastmilk to move out any clogs that might have become stuck in the breast ducts. Sunflower lecithin is a great recommendation, usually about 1,200 mg 3-4 times per day for actively treating a clog(s).

I also recommend making dietary changes such as increasing sources of lecithin in the diet, this recipe has plant based lecithin rich foods.

Animal sources of lecithin include organ meat, seafood and eggs.

Nerd out time…

This recipe has chickpeas, sunflowers and peanuts which have naturally occurring lecithin. Not only is lecithin great for clogged ducts but it also supports the nervous system and helps with anxiety and depression. It improves digestion and moisturizes the skin and can treat eczema. Lecithin also helps to lower the bad cholesterol in the body and can treat liver disease.

Recipe:

1 can chickpeas (BPA-free liner)

1/2 cup peanut butter or sunflower nut butter

1/2 tablespoon liquid sunflower lecithin

1/4 cup molasses

1 banana

2 tsp vanilla extract

2 tsp ground cinnamon

1 tsp salt

1 cup Tigernut flour (or oat flour for lactogenic benefits)

1/2 cup peanuts or sunflower seeds

1/4 cup vegan, sugar free chocolate chips

Recipe:

Combine all ingredients (except chocolate chips) into a food processor or high speed blender, if it’s sticky add more flour. Then hand mix the chocolate chips into the dough. Place mixture into a glass container and place into fridge for 2 hours, until chilled. Then roll into bite sized balls and bake at 350 for 10 minutes. Enjoy!

xo, katie