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Recurrent plugged ducts every two days - please help:(!

macbookmacbook member
in Breastfeeding
Hi ladies, 

So I've been breastfeeding for almost three months and for the past few weeks have had a lot of trouble. It seems as though all of a sudden I have become prone to plugged ducts. Specifically my right side in the right upper and right lower quadrant, I know get recurrent plugged ducts almost every two or three days. It seemed to start a  few weeks ago and is now becoming increasingly frequent. I do hot water bottles, hot showers, lots of nursing and usually it is gone in 24 hours. But so frustrating!! I don't understand why I have developed this problem all of a sudden. 

A week ago I started taking lecithin too. 

Then on friday it just got so bad - I was in such excruciating pain. I went to lactation consultant who sent me to urgent care out of concern for mastitis (no fevers or any systemic signs). They started me on antibiotics. My Ob dr thought it was reasonable since even though she didn't think it was mastitis I was getting a lot of recurrent plugged ducts and thought maybe low grade infection?

Anyway, friday night the obstruction got relieved and I felt so much better. I'm taking the antibiotics and now today, it started up again! Not nearly as painful but I definitely feel the hard knots. 

Anyone have such a frustrating experience? Please share any thoughts. Do I have a low grade infection that is causing these recurrent plugged ducts? I don't know what to do, at my whits end. I'm wondering if once I am done the antibiotics, am I going to still have this problem and if so, what can I do to solve this problem?

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!
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Re: Recurrent plugged ducts every two days - please help:(!

  • macbookmacbook member
    I actually sleep on the left side:( and have been going without a bra for a few days now. Although actually yesterday I did put on a bra for a few hours. But it doesn't feel tight or anything?
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  • andrea0418andrea0418 member
    I'm so sorry. I know how uncomfortable a plugged duct can be. I can't imagine having them so often. I've read that making sure when baby eats their nose is towards the clogged duct. That helps it be emptied more efficiently. What worked for me when I had a plugged duct was a hot compress, massaging and hand expressing.
    Hope you find a solution soon!
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  • macbookmacbook member
    i will definitely try massaging every night. I currently put raw potato slices in the bra. I'm just so frustrated. I've never heard of someone getting such frequent plugged ducts. I am taking the antibiotics and am wondering if I had a low grade infection and that is what is causing all of this...
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  • macbookmacbook member
    I definitely think stress has played a big part in mine. Whenever I get stressed out, it seems like they pop up. I tried potato slices tonight and it actually seemed to help relieve it. I still feel the little lumps but there isn't a huge backup. 
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  • purtzpurtz member
    Ugh, just got back from the drs and was diagnosed with mastitis for the 4th time in 2 months- not that I didn't already know! So frustrating and drs only tell you to grin & bear it or wean. Sorry you are going through this too!!

     

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  • mommatotwo2mommatotwo2 member
    Maybe try alternating nursing positions frequently. I had a terrible pplugged duct when LO was about 9 mont
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  • mommatotwo2mommatotwo2 member
    Not sure what happened there but it won't let me edit. Anyway, inursed with football hold which I hadn't done since she was tiny and it worked! Good luck!
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