This will be a very elemental piece of knowledge for many of you more experienced breastfeeding supporters/promoters/protectors. But. I read Carla D.'s post few week ago with interest. Because-- I have had my first hand experience with "milk threads", "milk noodles", "milk plugs" --- what do you call them?? What exactly are they? I know they are breastmilk but are they are particular component of milk? Are they white cells cuz the "milk thread" I saw looked clear. Is it like the milk scum on the top of warmed milk? Does the warmth of the breast + stasis congeal it? What is it? How do the babie handle these - just swallow them?? Do they usually hang 1/2 In 1/2 Out of the nipple pore so that you have to pull them out? I have heard/read it related to plugged ducts and with milk blisters or "blebs". In one of the LLL booklets (Susan M.) it was described as sometimes coming out with a green mucous discharge. That women with a propensity for rapid epitheal growth/skin tags it may be more of a problem. My experience: G2 P2 (this last was twins) C/S at 36wks for breech twin A at time of labor. Mom readmitted twice after discharge for fever. 2nd time she presented to ER with fever and painful L. brst. It was determined that she had endometrosis/seroma with mastitis. The twins were not readmitted with mom cuz they had colds (whole family had colds). So mom pumped. I was asked to see her on day 3 of her hospitalization. She had developed blisters on the end of her nipples. Mostly clear but some white. Within in the last 24 hours, they had opened along with these milk threads. Mom initially discarded the milk but then we told her to strain and send home the milk (as it was the care plan). She saved one for me to see. Boy, was I EXCITED!!! Poor mom, in her effort to maintain her supply had cranked the pump full blast and was pumping each breast 20+ minutes. No wonder the blisters. She applied moist heat, turned the pump down, pumped more often for shorter durations and the situation began to resolve (also some L___h) Anyway, if people think this is too rudimentary for most lactnetters, I would appreciate private email response. Please let me know your experiences. Christine Palmer, Mill Valley CA