Blocked Duct?

moonladymae

Hello,

 New to motherhood! My boy was born Dec 1. We had some issues with getting the correct latch in the beginning and now I feel like we got that part figured out. Just as I was feeling good about this Breastfeeding routine I woke up this morning with my left breast tender and sore to the touch across part of it, I immediately assumed blocked duct and have been feeding my son on that side first thing every feeding and massaging the breast while doing so, also pumping between feedings. The tenderness/soreness has gone away but now half of my breast is red. Does this sound like a blocked duct to any of you and is it possible I cleared it and the redness is just a lingering symptom? Any insight would be greatly appreciated, my doctor's office is closed over the weekend so I am trying to work on it myself before I call them Monday. Thanks!

eggmankate

Is the plug cleared? When I tried to massage out plugged ducts sometimes it was sore and red for a little while just from massaging and irritating the skin a little bit.

mommatotwo2

Redness can definitely be a mastitis sign. Do you have pain and/or fever?

Does your doctor have an on call line for after hours questions? If not your OB, maybe your PCP? If so, I'd call sooner than Monday. If not, and pain/fever show up, I'd consider being seen at urgent care.

kboyet

I just had the same symptom and my dr thought it could develop into mastitis so she prescribed an antibiotic in case I started to feel flu like symptoms or fever. Luckily I was able to get rid of the redness by using warm wash cloths and would ice it after so I didn't need the antibiotics. Good luck!

moonladymae

Thanks ladies! After some rest and a lot of nursing on that side, it's healing up. The redness is still kind of there but fading. Never got a fever, it was just sore the first day and after massaging it out the redness showed. It could have been a mild case of Mastitis or just a blocked duct, not really sure, just glad it's getting better. Oh, I also used coconut oil to massage into my breast and nipple, and took lots of vitamin C.