Clogged duct! Help!

[misspriss]

Okay, in the 2.5 years I've been breastfeeding this has never happened. I have oversupply, I tandem nurse, and I have gigantic boobs.

Usually DD (4 months) STTN or wakes once, but she was up all night last night from about 1:30 am until we got up at 6:30 she was nursing off and on. I also had to nurse DS (2.5) twice during that time, which caused a noticable upkick in supply. I usually get up and hang out and feed DD and then DS in the AM before putting on a "real" bra, wearing either a soft cup bra or just nothing. This morning I was grumpy and my nipples were sore from the hours of sleep nursing, so I got up and got dressed and put on my real bra, which is a cup size too small on my larger breast. I then fed DS like usual, but I wore the bra all day. This is my usual bra I wear it most days, but don't put it on first thing in the AM.

This afternoon I noticed a section of my breast feels hard and "engorged" feeling, even after feeding DD for a long time. I then put DD down and feed DS for a long time, the rest of the breast is soft but this spot is still hard. I applied a warm compress and massaged while DS nursed (he usually has no problem emptying my breasts). Still hard and red, sensitive when pressed/massaged but not overtly painful. Now I have sat with the heating pad on it for a while, still hard. I can express milk out fine. The kids can nurse fine (although that nipple is raging now after the marathon nursing session DD-DS-DD-DS....) but I am freaking out about this hard part on my breast!

And I'm going bra-less, which is incredible uncomfortable with this large of breasts.

 

[misspriss]

Hey, 57 views and no comment... No biggie I fixed it myself. Just glad it didn't turn into matistitis!

 

[kajastarlight]

oh good you got it fixed! I just saw this one and was hoping you weren't still blocked because by now it would be mastitis for sure!!!

 

[twiggy327]

glad you got it fixed. I was going to say get a hot shower and massage and express some milk out. It might take a day or so but it always worked for me.

 

[misspriss]

glad you got it fixed. I was going to say get a hot shower and massage and express some milk out. It might take a day or so but it always worked for me.

I was in so much pain I couldn't wait a couple days, I was awful!

My LC actually recommended Ice more than heat, as the inflammation makes it worse. I did Ice for 15 minutes every hour, took ibuprofen, and then did heat before and after feeds.

Then I fed my toddler doing the "dangle" technique, which is a pain when you breasts are so big his head doesn't fit under them. I did that twice, the second time I turned around so his tongue/chin was on the clogged area (which was on the top of my breast). After that it was still there and he was in bed so I pumped until I had completely drained my breast and it was gone! And the pain was almost gone, although my nipple is still sore, like when you first start breastfeeding.

 

[flump1]

glad to hear yours is all better now! My Lo is 15 months and we have been weaning down on the feeds but a little too quick I think as I now have my first ever blocked duct Do I just keep expressing feeding until the white lump goes away?

 

[misspriss]

Well, mine was super painful. I tandum nurse so I just kept feeding kids (don't neglect the unclogged one or it will clog too) over and over.

My LC recommended Ice every hour, rather than heat. Do heat for a few minutes before and after each feed, and massage while feeding. It is also recommended to do "dangle feeding", it's weird but I think it may have helped mine. But then my son went to sleep so I had to pump to finish drawing it out, with massage too.

 

[misspriss]

OMG it's back, or another one, it seems a bit differently placed.

I'm in agony. I got about 2 hours of sleep last night, I can't get milk to come out (last time it would come out fine, this time no!)

I can't get my son to nurse, and he's going to be gone all day anyway. Pumping hurts so bad.

ibuprofen made me sick.

I hurt so bad, the lack of sleep is killing me and I feel so helpless.

 

[kajastarlight]

I have heard cabbage leaves are good - but I think you may need to go see your doctor. I hope you feel better soon!

 

[misspriss]

I have heard cabbage leaves are good - but I think you may need to go see your doctor. I hope you feel better soon!

Yeah I've been in contact with my LC and my doctor's office. My LC gave me instructions to treat it at home, and my doctor would not prescribe anything until they have seen me which they can't do until tomorrow.

I'm hoping I'll get better without antibiotics (if it is a severe clogged duct I can, or even mild mastitis although less likely). Definitely staying on top of it.

My supply is way down too, I hear this happens. Either that or my pump is all worn out, because I'm getting nothing pumping, which a few weeks ago I pumped nearly 12 oz in sitting. But DD nursed right after I pumped and got plenty of milk.

 

[kajastarlight]

12 oz in one sitting! I wish!!!
Oooh man, I hope things get better for you soon! Maybe try hand expressing??? Just some anyway?

 

[misspriss]

12 oz in one sitting! I wish!!!
Oooh man, I hope things get better for you soon! Maybe try hand expressing??? Just some anyway?

Oh yes, giant boobs, oversupply, tandem nursing....my son spent the night at grandmas so my hungry toddler had not nursed all night or morning, this was in the morning. Yes, I even took a picture!

Now I'm struggling to get 1.5 ounces! I think tandem nursing and my toddler's nursing preferences may be why I keep getting clogged ducts.

Eh nursing is going just fine, and I have two kids who nurse. It's not all hard and engorged anymore, the pain is getting better. The feverish feeling is still there, but I don't feel like the walking dead anymore.

When I hand express focusing on the clogged side, milk comes out, so it isn't terribly blocked.

I am thinking positive, staying hydrated, getting rest, and nursing nursing nursing!