Skip to main content

Is this a blocked duct... breastfeeding??

Ok, so I know I have complained about my aches and pains and I am trying not to be a downer but thankful for my family.

So yesterday I was having hot and cold flashes and even a headache with some aches and pains.  My left breast was hurting and felt hard in spots.  Even the though of nursing baby boy was painful.  I pumped to get the milk moving but did not have much come out.  I took a bath and that helped a lot just having the hot water and soaking.  I also think the IB profen helped a lot too.  So by evening I was feeling much better and did let lil guy nurse.  Then the night I woke up and it was hurting again.  Not as bad as during the day.  I let lil guy nurse from it trying to get some relief but it just seemed like he would not be satisfied as if he was not getting anything.  I finally warmed up some pumped milk and he was finally full.

I woke up and pumped and I barely got an ounce out of it. ???  I have been producing a lot of milk so that little amount seemed sad.  It is still very sore.

So is this a blocked duct or anything else I should be concerned about?

Comments

I think it is a blocked duct, but if the hot flashes persist and you have a fever you could have mastitis so keep an eye on that. I never had mastitis, but plenty of blocked ducts. They hurt sooo much. I would get them more if I went too long without pumping/nursing say if I was at a get together or something andhad a sitter where you don't want to get up and pump as often as you'd normally nurse your babe. I usually waited until I felt like I was going to explode. I also noticed that since I slept with my underwire nursing bra on a lot (I was a heavy leaker and needed to keep pads on at ALL times) the side I slept on was getting irritated by the wire. So I bought a wireless one and that helped a lot preventing clogs. This may not sound like fun, but if you can massage (and I mean hard) the hard spots you will break up the mass. And the milk will all of a sudden give and it may even be stringy, but it will unclog. You really need to get the mass unclogged or it could lead to mastitis and even the strongest pump probably won't undo it. Just push really hard with your palm in circles. This worked for me. It will probably be quite tender a day or so. Unclogged doesn't equal instant relief :( Hope this helps. High five to BFing!! Way to go. Keep it up.

Chelle
That sounds like a blogged duct to me. I've had one a few times and they are very painful. It feels like there's a really hard spot on the breast. It also limited milk flow so I had to pump, pump, pump, I was told to use hot/cold compresses and massage the heck out of it. I actually massaged the block right out (it hurt like crazy) BUT then I produced over 4 oz in one pumping session. Good luck mama, I feel your pain!
Jenn said…
It could be a blocked duct, I had a lot of issues with those with Grace too, however, massaging it always helped and while nursing was painful afterwards it always felt much better! Mine was also made worse by using an underwire bra. I found that changing positions she nursed so she pulled from different parts of the breast helped alot (I would rotate laying down, football hold, having her sit up to nurse etc) if your having trouble getting milk out however, it may be worth getting checked out to make sure it isnt mastitis! Sometimes a hot shower can be wonderful just to get the milk flowing then try to massage it out!
Lori said…
I had mastitis with my second child and it was very painful! This is what I did and it got well in just a few days. I would get in the hot bath and rub the knots as hard as I could stand it and some milk would come out but not much. I did that several time a day and still let my baby nurse on that side. I thought I would die or my breast would fall of, actually I wanted it to but it did get well and I continued to nurse that sweet boy till he was a year old. Hope this will help.
Blessings, Lori

Popular posts from this blog

Top Tips for Moms Taking Online Degrees

  Online degrees can often be the best option for moms who want to get back into education due to their flexibility and the wide range of subjects that there are available for them to study. However, online degrees are not always plain sailing, and to make sure that you can get the grade that you deserve, read on for some top tips for moms interested in taking online degrees.  Choose the Right Degree Choosing the right online degree is vital to your success. Picking a subject that you are passionate about and that you have a natural talent for will ensure that you can breeze through your course and ensure that you have the motivation to continue even when you do struggle. If you are looking for an online degree that is perfect for moms, a Bank Street Early Childhood Leadership certificate can help you to advance your career in teaching, build upon your previous qualifications, and allow you to get a career that can be easily juggled with the commitments of parenting.  Balance Family a

Liquid Chalk spray! Chalk Idea #7

Last week we tried out the fizzing sidewalk chalk- click here to read that review. This week it is liquid chalk spray.  They are a bit similar but yet different.  Here is how to make it: Supplies: 1 tsp. washable tempura paint 1 cup of hot water 1/2 cup of cornstarch squirt of dishwashing liquid 1 squirt bottle- I found them at the dollar store 1.  Add cornstarch to one cup of hot water whisking to mix so that there are no clumps. 2.  Add one teaspoon of washable tempura paint and a quirt of dishwashing liquid.  Mix well. 3.  Pour it into your squirt bottles and shake well. 4.  Go have fun!!!   This kept my daughters attention much longer the the fizzy chalk last week.  I also think this was easier to work with and just more fun in general.  I love seeing the chalk wet but then to see it dry.  I think it dried darker so it was fun to see the changes.  :)  Ready, Set, Go!  Have some fun! She is my little model... she kept saying "take my picture mom." She is like her

Toddler Rainbow Craft for St. Patricks Day

St. Patrick's day is March 17th so its approaching quickly.  I have a few ideas on art and food projects that i want to do with the kiddos.  Hopefully I will have enough time to complete them and share them with you.   This was a super easy one for those little hands.  I cut the stripes of colored paper but if you are working with a preschooler or school aged child then they can practice cutting.  The two toddler boys here only had to glue the pieces on their piece of paper.  EASY, but they enjoyed it!  :)  It sure has brightened my kitchen with them hanging on the fridge!  :)   I also talked more about the Promise God gave us with the rainbow since I know that history a whole lot better then the history of the Irish Holiday!