Clogged ducts

Katieluc106 · July 2014

The breast feeding thread was too long to go through. I hadn't been keeping up with it because I just had my baby. Sorry if this is SS but I NEED help.

I left the hospital not breast feeding because once again no milk. Well yesterday I woke fully engorged and in so much pain. Viv won't latch now because she doesn't wanna work for it. So I ran out and bought a pump. Well pumping isn't yielding anything but a few drops of the clear stuff. When I feel my boobs they are hard has rocks and I have a lump the size of a baseball on each side. Also they are on fire. So hot to the touch. I looked it up and sites are saying it's a clog. Have you ever experienced this? What did you do? I'm in so much mother effing pain it's crazy, I can't even put a shirt on with out crying.

MNOpea · July 2014

Massaging it while pumping or in the shower

JESNYC · July 2014

Hot compresses followed by massage. Also second the massage in the shower. I also drank a ton of water.

Jltoombs2012 · July 2014

Ibuprofen your brains out too

ncbelle · July 2014

Definitely sounds like a clog. If you start running a fever, you have mastitis and need to contact your doc. Good info here: https://kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mother/mastitis/

Also, please contact an IBCLC or breastfeeding support group for some hands on help - you definitely have lots of milk or you wouldn't have a clog!!

Katieluc106 · July 2014

I tried contacting the LC and they were NO help. I explained how much pain I was in and they said I needed a pump or they couldn't help me. So I went and bought a pump. Called them back and they said they had no time for me because they were helping patients. Then they basically hung up on me. So I'm on my own. I don't even know that I'm using the pump properly.

JESNYC · July 2014

That's awful. Have you tried reaching out to your ob? Maybe they can suggest a different LC. I hope you get the help that you need.

reils500 · July 2014

STM lurking from July 14- this is going to sound crazy, but along with the warm showers & massage try sticking cabbage leaves into your bra. It will help with the pain & swelling.
Good luck!

ELC252011 · July 2014

Agree with pp... Make sure the cabbage is cold and try mint tea. Hope you find some relief.

dragonfly711 · July 2014

I just had a clogged duct for the second time today.

Pump hot compress. Put hot water in a diaper and put on your boob. Massage your boob. If baby will nurse. Let baby nurse as much as she or he wants.

I had a quarter size lump before and with the massage nursing pumping and the diaper hot compress I got it out in a few hours.

A friend told me to do this and it so works.

Good luck so sorry not fun.

RedMar · July 2014

I just had this happen this week and it turned into mastitis

and I was put on antibiotics. I'm so sorry as I know how much pain you're in. Do you have a rash? Mine was crazy looking- like a river running through my boob. These Lansinoh heat therapy pads have been amazing. Good luck!!

jsnyder79 · July 2014

sarahgene61887 said:

Does anyone know if a clogged duct can make you feel unwell but not be mastitis? I'm pretty sure I have one and am trying heat, massage, and frequent pumping (I'm an exclusive pumper). I don't have a fever but I just feel more tired than normal and kind of like the day before you get sick feeling. My mom is staying with me and DH and I were supposed to go on an hour date tonight to see fireworks while she watched LO but I cancelled bc I feel so crappy. really hope there's no visit to urgent care on a holiday weekend in my future... Thanks everyone for all the posts on this. I was so glad to see this thread this afternoon.

I had this feeling. i went to dr. it wasnt quite mastitis yet. my fever was around 99 degrees. i still got an antibiotic, but they told me to take motrin and to massage and warm compress for 10 minutes, followed by cold compress for 5 minutes. I feel better today. my milk is still not where i want it to be since the clogged ducts, but i feel much better. go to dr and have them check you out. dont let it go.

Akeen444 · July 2014

I had the same issue several times this last week. I got them all out by hot showers and massage. My doctor said there is a supplement you can get from cvs or Walgreens that thins your milk out and prevents them. She said to ask the pharmacist.

MrsP419 · July 2014

You have gotten great advice and there is nothing extra I can add, but I just want to say that I am thinking of you. I went through all of this when nursing my first: clogged ducts, mastitis, bad latch, severe nipple pain…it was awful. But we got through it and loved nursing. You are doing an amazing thing by persevering through breastfeeding in spite of this pain (and if you chose not to, that would be totally cool too!) You can get through this! Massage, heat, shower, nurse…and repeat.

ADalesa29 · July 2014

While you're in the warm shower take a comb and go over the clog towards the nipple. Sounds weird but worked for me. Also, the Bamboobies Boob-ease hot/cold nipple pads are amazing!

purtz · July 2014

Darn, seems I'm joining you in this recent trend. Missed two nursing sessions yesterday (pumped instead) and woke up last night with a super painful mass in one breast. I appreciate everyone's helpful suggestions!!

Katieluc106 · July 2014

I pumped and pumped, massaged, warm compress, massaged with a wa compress. Nothing ever came out. Woke up to soft boobs. Occasionally I get sharp shooting pains to the nipples. I've still been pumping and still nothing.

jenlynne0624 · July 2014

Also joining this trend. Ugh woke up just thinking I was engorged on the left side but no such luck. Heat massage and shower for me today

jsnyder79 · July 2014

I keep getting them bc I end up running late getting back to pump bc of errands and dr appts. I don't remember getting any, or so many anyway, with DD. it makes breastfeeding that much more frustrating

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