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Multiples
BFing - Clogged Ducts / Mastitis / Thrush
I was diagnosed with mastitis and started antibiotics yesterday... and now that I am getting more familiar with my body, I believe I had been suffering from chronic clogged duct(s) in that breast for weeks...
Has anyone dealt with thrush? I have trying to research ways to get my right breast back to normal and clear the clogged ducts but am worried about thrush (how to identify, prevent, treat, etc.).
Any advice or thoughts based on your experiences would be greatly appreciated!
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Re: BFing - Clogged Ducts / Mastitis / Thrush
So sorry
Mastitis sucks!
I had issues with mastitis and plugged ducts a lot early on because I had an huge over supply. Massage your breasts frequently, at least every day in the shower. The warmth from the water will help. Also, warm compresses can work wonders. I really loved Boobie Tubes from Earth Mama Angel Baby. They have a good shape and fit nicely in your bra. Also, check your breasts for lumps when you LOs are done nursing. If you find any, take a moment to massages your breasts, then be sure to massage periodically while you're nursing.
As for thrush, the best thing you can do is keep your breast clean and dry. If you leak, change your breast pads and put on a new bra if necessary. The major things you'll be looking for if you to get it are a think white coating in their mouths, a diaper rash that has little red dots in it, burning, shiny, red nipples. If the fungus invades your ducts, it will hurt when your milk lets down. For me, it felt kind of like glass or sand in my ducts. If you do get it, it's pretty easy to treat. You can wipe your nipples down with vinegar, get APNO or Diflucan from your doctor, you can actually use monistat on it (and on LOs if they get a diaper rash). If they get it in their mouths, you'll probably want to take them to their pediatrician to get a treatment. It's important that all of you get treated to prevent reinfection.
I have no firsthand knowledge of thrush but plenty with the other two! If you are getting repeated clogged ducts, check to see if your position or bra might be partially an issue. You want everything to be as unconstricted as possible. Also in a pinch, I learned that putting hot water in a disposable diaper is a great compress. Squeeze it out a little and make sure it isn't too hot, whatever the hell they put in there will stay warm for up to an hour! And learn how to massage the duct clear and try to do so with every feeding or pump. GL! BFing is harder than it seems like it should be
I've also had major problems with all of the above and I'm so sorry that you are too! I agree with everything the other ladies have said and have two things to add.
1. If you have to be on antibiotics for any reason ask for something like Diflucan in advance to try to avoid thrush. I realized that whenever I take antibiotics I automatically get a yeast infection (which is essentially what thrush is, it's a yeast infection on your nipple) and taking Diflucan proactively really helps. After two back to back courses of antibiotics followed by thrush my LC suggested this and I haven't had any problems since.
2. On the advice of my same brilliant LC I have recently started taking Lecithin to avoid clogged ducts and have not had any trouble with it since. Here is a kellymom article on it. I don't know how to make it clicky, sorry. https://kellymom.com/nutrition/vitamins/lecithin/
Good luck!
I'm at war with thrush as well - my doctor suggested probiotics as I was on so many antibiotics after a tough birth.
Here's hoping!