Plugged duct?

crene84

I am sure some of you have experience with plugged ducts as I've read they are fairly common.  I've been EBFing for 4 months and today part of my left boob is killing me. It's super tender and maybe feels a little hard.  I've been trying to massage it, but don't know what else to do.  Any suggestions?

L8kissie

Warm compresses, massaging, and lots of feeding from that side can help. I also felt better with warm showers. The hot water seemed to improve things. I'm sorry those suck. If it gets worse, go see the doctor. Mastitis isn't fun and the antibiotics help lots.

misspunky

Ditto PP. I used warm rice bags and pumped on that side when DD wasn't nursing. I felt it as soon as it came out and the angels sang.

MississippiCatfish

L8kissie said:

Warm compresses, massaging, and lots of feeding from that side can help. I also felt better with warm showers. The hot water seemed to improve things. I'm sorry those suck. If it gets worse, go see the doctor. Mastitis isn't fun and the antibiotics help lots.

All this. The massaging can be painful, but also really help break up the clog:/. ETA I was taught in my BF class to massage gently toward the nipple while nursing on that breast, and then the baby will just drink the stringy clot. Worked for us, even though it sounds gross. I only had to do it a couple times, both on holidays when we got caught up with events/travel and went way too long without nursing:(

Holly_1007

Try laying the babe on the bed and then leaning over so that your boob dangles into her mouth, try to point her chin towards the hard spot. If you develop a fever, it is infected and you will need to call your doctor. Hope you feel better soon!

ellebee2

I had such a hard time with blocked ducts while BFing. Would always get them on the side I slept on (until I started sleeping on my back, and then eventually until I stopped BFing). 

What worked for me (and has already been mentioned) was the dangle feeding that Holly mentioned, heat (I usually tried for 5-10 mins of heat before a feed), massaging (HARDER than is comfortable) during feeds and in a hot shower,. 

It almost always took me about 24 hours to clear it, and 9 times out of 10 it would clear during the first feed in the morning with DD was HUNGRY! and really enthusiastic about her eating. 

Good luck. It sucks. But hopefully you can work it out. 

linzeek44

You have a bunch of great ideas.
My go to was usually hard massage in the shower followed by dangle nursing a really hungry baby.

Check out your nipple for a tiny white bleb. If you have one, soak in hot hot water with Epsom salts and then exfoliate the bleb off. Hurts badly but the relief is worth it.

If you have them often, consider taking lecithin. I get mine at Walgreens because it's cheaper than Whole Foods. Two a day prevents clogs for me.