Help with blockage

[Bigbangfan]

Hi, does anyone have any advice for shifting a blocked duct? I've had it since waking up Sunday morning and don't know what else to do.

So far I have tried:

• expressing (but I get very little out)
  
• hot compresses
  
• hot showers / baths with Epsom salts
  
• ibuprofen
  
• massage with hand and massage brush
  
• feeding in all sorts of positions (Including on all fours dangling boob and lying down with baby lying opposite direction! )
  
• cabbage leaves
  

I'm terrified it will develop into mastitis and just don't know what to do next. My DD is 11 weeks and I've not had any problems this side before. I've had a blister and blockage the other side a few weeks ago but that cleared using the above and a needle to pop the blister.

Do I go to the doctor? Not sure if there's anything they can do?

Thank you x

[Justgotosleepnow]

Feed feed feed
Most efficient way to clear it
Keep trying the hot bath & massage too
In desperation I even tried visualising the blockage and then it clearing. I appreciate that may be too hippy for you. As I say I was desperate.

[Justgotosleepnow]

Is there a bf expert you can see in person? (Knows a lot more than your GP)
Contact Nct and la Leche league to see if they've got anyone you can see.

[ClearlyMoo]

Be super-certain it's not an abscess. If it's a squishy lump it might be. No harm in checking with GP especially if it lingers on for a week or so

[RedKites]

You're already doing most of the things I'd have suggested. You could keep feeding on the problem side as much as possible, although wouldn't want to neglect the other (but if, say, your DD tends to feed from both sides, you could start more feeds on the problem side?). I'm not sure what your GP would be able to do right now either, but they might agree to give you a prescription for antibiotics so you're prepared if it does become mastitis?

[Bigbangfan]

The lump is rock hard and has another pea - sized lump on top of the larger one. It goes the whole length of the breast right to the end of the nipple. I'm trying to feed as much as I can but she goes to bed around 11pm and generally sleeps through to 8 am so I'm dreading how it will feel tomorrow morning!

[stargirl1701]

Submerge the breast in the hottest bath you can tolerate. Massage and hand express under water. Jump out and feed, feed, feed.

[Justgotosleepnow]

Agree with star girl

[Bigbangfan]

Thanks, I'll give that a try now before her last feed :)

[Ziggyzoom]

I had something similar and NCT counsellor said if hot compresses didn't work, try the opposite. She recommended cold compress and ibuprofen to take down the inflammation. It worked for me and I also started taking a supplement that helped to prevent blocked ducts. Will go off to see if I can find out what it was!

[Ziggyzoom]

Lecithin was the supplement. In looking for it I remembered how useful this site is -
kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mother/mastitis/

[Bigbangfan]

Great thank you. I'll give the cold packs a try and see if I can get the supplement tomorrow x

[stargirl1701]

I found soya lecithin great for preventing recurrent blocked ducts. But, I turned out to be allergic to it. Sunflower lecithin is the alternative.