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Infant feeding

Oversupply and treating recurrent blocked ducts anyone??

5 replies

orangestripe · 31/03/2014 17:09

What would you advise?

I'm on day 13 with my gorgeous newborn DD. Got oversupply when my milk came in and am following advice from various websites about managing that (feeding leaning back etc).

Thing is, I keep getting a blocked duct on one breast. I think I'm on my third one now. I seem to be in a vicious circle and wondered if anyone could help? Every time I clear it (feeding leaning over, favouring that breast, hot/cold compresses etc) it comes back again a few hours after feeding pattern returning to normal - ie not favouring that breast.

The websites I've looked at don't factor in over supply. I think the fact that I have to favour that breast for around 24/48 hours to get rid of the blockage means the supply is increased and when I then go back to normal, suddenly the breast fills up again and gets blocked.

I've tried calling the midwives at the hospital but they told me to get to the doc for antibios, which I'd rather not take (to protect the good bacteria I've given baby and my own gut health) and also because I haven't read anywhere that they prevent blocked ducts returning, which is what I'm after.

Oops this is long - I'm tired so I may have garbled!

Anyone got any advice for this specific thing?

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NomDeClavier · 31/03/2014 17:22

I didn't favor one side over another but I cleared blockages by combing under a shower with a wide tooth comb from armpit/chest to nipple and hand expressing the tiniest amount.

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orangestripe · 31/03/2014 17:38

Thanks Nom, that would be better because sounds like in theory it would break the vicious circle I seem to be in.

Will try that in a bit.

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NomDeClavier · 31/03/2014 17:49

Give it a go. No-one really seems to understand or appreciate the issues oversupply brings unless they've had it or are thoroughly trained in supporting a continuing BFing relationship rather than just initiating it, and if you feed more on one side it will produce more (as you've found) which leads to blockages when you don't take enough off.

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orangestripe · 31/03/2014 17:58

Yes, I'm finding it a steep learning curve because lots of what you learn from DVDs and looking online about how to BF is wrong if you have an oversupply. Eg I only just realised about 5 days ago that I shouldn't switch breasts but should feed from one side at a time, which made a great difference and I wish I'd known sooner!

Think baby is settled now so I'll try that comb idea in the shower.

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NomDeClavier · 31/03/2014 18:06

I block fed from about 3 days old with DC2 and the difference was massive. You live and learn!

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