Another q about blocked ducts.

[lyndsey3010]

I think, I have a blocked up right boob. In fact it'd definitely blocked, it's whether at this stage it's the dreaded M word or just a blockage. I have none of the mastitis symptoms other than a hard, lumpy, sore to touch funbag.

I was aware that it felt full earlier this evening, say 6ish, and that was immediately after pumping. By 10.30pm it was feeling very sore to touch and hard lumps were forming but only on the inside. Cooper had been on that side for about 30 mins but definitely wasn't full.

I also pumped for another 20 mins to try and release some milk but got enough milk to barely make a complete covering of the bottom of the bottle.

It's now 3.50am and I'm feeding from my right side now to try and unblock me.

My question is, by pumping/feeding from the blocked side, should it start to feel better quickly or am I being unrealistic to expect to see a change in the first 24hours? I guess I'm looking to know when I should be paying the dr a visit if feeding and pumping isn't helping. I don't want to waste their time but nor do I want waste valuable time should this be the start of mastitis as I know it can develop quickly.

Can you tell I've been on holiday?! Got back today and I'm already seeking out your much missed expertise!
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[AnnaBanana9]

Hi! Hope it resolves itself quickly for you - it should ease within a couple of days, but here are some tips about coping with blocked ducts and mastitis (a lot is very similar)

https://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mom/mastitis.html

Sounds like you're doing the right stuff though
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[mama2b]

Have you tried massaging the area and a nice warm bath ?

I had mastitis in my first week and luckily I realised what it was and got anti biotics but the doc advised me to do the massage and it really helped. Well actually I got my oh to massage it and I found that helped clear the blockage and pumping away.

I knew I had mastitis straight away though as both boobs streaky red and I felt like id got the worst flu ever.

Hope it clears up soon mate

 

[Lu28]

I had a blocked duct a few weeks ago and also wondered if it was mastitis. I was told by the HV etc that it's only mastitis if you have the flu like symptoms, otherwise it's a blocked duct and no medication will help with that, just continue feeding, massaging, hot and warm compresses etc.

I found I got nothing from the blocked boob when I pumped but I got more in a warm shower and expressing by hand. It's frustrating seeing the milk go to waste but better to get rid of the blockage! My boob was red and sore to the touch for about 4 days before it finally cleared up.

 

[lyndsey3010]

Thank you girls. I'm even more sure now it's just blocked ducts so i'll carry on feeding and pumping and hot bath and massage defo on the cards for tonight.

Thanks everyone.
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[Diana]

I've had that a few times in the past with my sons, and it did take a couple days for it to go away. I got temps with both of them but still thought it was just a plugged duct so I didn't go to the doctor. With the last one I had I didn't have my pump (I had thrown away the tubing because I thought I was done, bad idea), so I just massaged them in the hot shower, put hot rags on them, etc. Eventually it just went away, thank the Lord because during it I thought I was going to die. Hang in there, I hope it clears up on it's own.