help! engorged but no milk.

zzia15 · January 2013

my left breast is hard and painful- I can feel large lumps starting around the armpit area across the top of my breast. there is no milk coming out at all. I've tried pumping, nursing a bunch, different positions, hot shower, hot packs...and still nothing. it's painful an I can't get relief! Oh and I also just recovered from thrush if that is relevant at all?

ideas anyone? what is going on? I am frustrated to tears.

Eaky77 · January 2013

Sounds like it could be mastasis. Are you running a fever? Keep trying hot compresses, and feeding on that side. I'd also call your dr! Good luck!

zzia15 · January 2013

no fever yet...but I am keeping an eye on that. thank you!

rubies4all · January 2013

Keep doing what you are doing you definetly have clogged ducts but it may have turned into an infection. Try to massage it out that has helped me I get a clogged duct in my right breast every other week. They are painful but getting it out now is better than it getting infected last one I got was bad and I slept with a heating pad on my breasts and than the night feeding it all came out. Good luck

elvinnoe · January 2013

It took about 3 days of nursing, pumping, heat, and massages before my clogged duct cleared up, and I only had one lump. Keep it up mama, you're doing the right thing.

MesmrEwe · January 2013

Try taking Lecithin 4x/day... It's an emulsifier that has been said to help prevent clogs by keeping the fat from "sticking" inside the breast tissue. I learned this from an EP forum and it worked wonders after my second case of mastitis... Be aware though if you have thyroid issues to order a non-soy based Lecithin but you should be able to find it at places like Walgreens.

Also, hand express, yes, not fun, going to not feel so hot, but get into a nice hot shower with an empty bottle (let's face it, may as well be able to use it!) and go to town hand express... Anywhere you feel a lump, work it out. Also, get into the (hot water - but not so hot you can't stand it) tub and express into the water with the heat working to your advantage.

zzia15 · January 2013

Thank you all for your help and support. I got in the shower and massaged quite firmly, then nursed and massaged firmly, and lo and behold my breast went soft again!

I am going to buy some lecithin today.

As an aside, I made a homemade hands- free breast pump bra with a sports bra. I am wondering if it smashed the pump too tightly into my breast and caused this whole problem.

CLLDLL · January 2013

Glad you got some relief. How old is your LO? I got several clogged ducts from weeks 5-10 and was ready to take Lecithin, but I haven't had a clog since so I never took it. I think you're just more suseptable to clogs in the first 12 weeks or so.

As far as the hands free bra. That could have caused it or it might not have. Other things to try nurse frequently during the day. Like every 2 hours. Also spend the evenings and weekends wearing no bra or just a sleep bra & I think that helped me immensely. Good luck!!

zzia15 · January 2013

My LO is 7 weeks old. Thank you for the tips, hopefully I can keep the clogs at bay!

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