Blocked boob...

[jusdepamplemousse]

My DD is nearly 6 weeks and I'm breastfeeding exclusively. Well - Pumping a little so she gets the occasional bottle of breast milk (one or two a week). It's been a nightmare at times but we're just about managing. I had a previous thread when she was very wee and got good advice and support which helped! She's piling on the ounces anyway so that's what matters. We used shields for a while but ditched them as they just created a different kind of pain (friction rubbing on the holes).

Yesterday my boob got really really sore all day but couldn't see anything wrong. Pain felt like it was in nipple to start (have ongoing nipple pain in left boob - sometimes niggling sometimes excruciating but always there) but started to radiate and then at 2am feed I noticed that after a good long feed my boob was still rock hard on top - about half of it. Also had a milk blister (I think). I got up and massaged and compressed etc and generally had a miserable time, boob eventually cleared I think at about 10am after lots more feeding. Blister no longer visible.

Boob has stayed soft but sore so I'm wondering do I need to keep with applying heat and massaging (sore) or is some residual deep pain normal and I can relax and just persevere with normal feeding? As long as no more hardness?

Sorry this is a bit of a ramble...tired and miserable why is this still so very hard ...!

TIA for any replies.

[pocketsized]

I found the best thing for clearing blockages was a really hot bath, and massage with the nipper underwater. If everything's ok you should see milk that makes the water cloudy. If it's at all stringy then it's probably still blocked a bit and needs more work. I usually found the pain cleared pretty quickly if I had completely cleared the blockage.

On another note, if you are getting nipple pain a lot have you/DD been checked for thrush? That can be excruciating.

[pocketsized]

Also. You've done an amazing job to get this far. It can be really really hard for some women, it was for me, and eventually we were all happier with formula. There's lots of support out there though if you want to continue. Do you have any local breastfeeding groups?

[jusdepamplemousse]

Thanks pocket. I did have a scorching bath at lunchtime but nothing came out in it. Weird.

Tbh I'm quite intimidated by bf groups - worried they'll be so pro it I'll feel even more like I can't stop if it all gets too much. Mantra has been one feed at a time thus far. I already got grief of some midwives and HV re shields when using them - even though DD doing good. I felt like there's v much a well if you were determined enough you'd suck it up kind of vibe with some v pro bf folk and worried about more guilt. God I sound pathetic I know.

Re thrush - no sign of it in DD's mouth. Wouldn't know what to look for on my boob? Not itchy anyway. Also only really pain in left side and would think thrush would've spread to right via DD's mouth?

Thanks for your understanding reply. I can't see me managing long term bf'ing but will keep going as long as I can. Want to at least get to three months hopefully to get past colic danger zone but as I said one feed at a time.

[jusdepamplemousse]

Oh also I have raynauds so think it's prob the culprit. Nipple often blanched after feeding. Don't think there's much to be done about it tbh. Just keep warm.

[Onsera3]

When the milk is stuck in the block it creates inflammation in the surrounding tissue. The swelling can make the block harder to drain and can linger after the milk has cleared. I always used to take nurofen if I had a block.

I'd ease of the massage and hear if the hardness has gone.

Ongoing nipple pain if not thrush can be Raynauds. Is the nipple an OK shape and colour after feed?

[jusdepamplemousse]

X post onsera!

[Onsera3]

*massage and heat!

[Onsera3]

Ah hopefully the warmer weather will help.

[squeezed]

Well done for getting this far and keeping going. I had some difficulties with blockages and these got infected so it's good to try and sort it early. I'd keep going with massage if there are any lumps and also heat can help ease discomfort. I found that feeding lying on my side helped the breast drain better when feeding. I ended up expressing earlier than intended because I just couldn't get the milk out. Oh and ignore HV advice, if you want to breastfeed do whatever makes it easier for you.

[pocketsized]

OP, isn't a "trendy" thing to say but I really disliked breastfeeding. And we had a lot of issue with mastitis, weight gain etc. I really beat myself up about it and I'm sure it started impacting (my already somewhat fragile) mental health. I heard a lot of those "if you really cared you'd do whatever it took" comments, so I persisted with being in pain and miserable. Until a lovely HV gave me "permission" to stop. It was the best decision for us and I wish I'd made it sooner. I have no regrets about stopping.