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Infant feeding

Blocked duct - how long do I wait to visit GP and gratuitous request for sympathy!

13 replies

maybelaterdarling · 30/07/2008 17:25

My son is 19 weeks, and after having a couple of blocked ducts in the early days bfing has been going brilliantly. Until Tuesday morning, pain in my right breast which has eased slightly but a big lump remains. With the others I could feel something like a small ball bearing close to my nipple/edge of aeriola. This time I can't feel the ball bearing thing, instead a large irregular shaped mass. (If I wasn't bfing I'd be panicking, but I am assuming it is milk related).

I am doing the following:

  • taking ibuprofen when pain is really bad (maybe 3 doses in 24 hour period which I'm hoping is acceptable)
  • trying not to wear a bra as much as possible, and have checked that nothing is pressing against me
  • alternating between hot and cold flannels for comfort
  • gently massaging, but it is so tender it hurts to do this even if very gently
  • got husband home from work so I can sleep
  • feeding from painful side first at the start of each feed then swapping to other side. (He generally feeds every 3/4 hours for just 10 minutes so he seems a little confused at my generosity at the moment).


When I've had these before they've disappeared within about 24 hours after doing the above, but this is continuing. Do any of you have suggestions for anything else I can do? How long do you think I should give it before going to see gp? (and is there any point in seeing gp about this?)

(I think this has happened due to the hot weather and fussy feeding, I'm fairly happy that latch/position is ok).
OP posts:
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weblette · 30/07/2008 17:35

Personally I'd say that because it's not subsiding even with everything you're doing, it needs to be checked out.

Hope you feel better soon!

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copingvquietly · 30/07/2008 17:37

ive had this and yes it bloody hurts.i managed to ease mine with hot flannels and massage though.
i think a trip to your gp might be needed.

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Jackstini · 30/07/2008 17:43

Try massaging in hot bath or shower but yes, see GP tomorrow if no better

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cazee · 30/07/2008 19:07

I have just had a blocked duct, and it took 3 days to clear. I did pop to the surgery, where the minor illness nurse said is was mastitis, and prescribed antibiotics. It wasn't, so I didn't take them.
It is really sore isn't it? It would probably be an idea to see your GP, but clue yourself up first, as they often know very little about this sort of thing. If I had listened to the nurse I would have taken antibs for no reason, and could well have ended up with thrush too.

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Caz10 · 30/07/2008 22:08

I recently had one of these for about 4/5 days, bloody sore

I was doing all that you are, plus on the advice of someone on here ran a wide tooth comb over the bump towards the nipple (lots of soap!) in the shower

that plus expressing in the evenings seemed to clear it

the lady at my bf group also said if you can, get your baby to feed so their chin is pushing towards the lump - in my case I had to lie down and try to feed dd over my shoulder, not easy!

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amner · 30/07/2008 22:14

This is really horrible. You have my sympathy.

All of the above is good advice and I can add feeding the baby from above. Sounds (and looks ) a bit odd, but put LO on the bed and then squat on all fours above him and feed him from the sore side. I personally would keep feeding from the sore side each feeding session.

This happened to me a lot in the early weeks but I persevered and it stopped and I managed to feed till 21 months. Hope this helps and the thing clears up soon.

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Janni · 30/07/2008 22:26

Eight years on and I still wince when I read 'blcked duct' - horrible, horrible pain. Hope you get it sorted x

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maybelaterdarling · 31/07/2008 07:39

Thanks Ladies, the pain and size of blockage seems to have reduced this morning. So I'll delay seeing the gp.

I have become so entrenched in feeding in one position (for a combined total of 2.5 years) that I find it almost impossible to change. But I will give the dangling down above him a go. Will just have to make sure the older kids aren't around as they are bound to smack my arse if it is sticking in the air!

OP posts:
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peachsmuggler · 31/07/2008 15:44

oh dear that sounds awful. Glad it seems a bit better today. I had the same but lasted less that 24 hours. After massagin in hot bath and getting dd to feed loads from that side, I heard a sort of pop while she was feeding during the night and it then cleared straight away. If it's any use there was a thread here a while ago and lots of people said they had got their DHs to clear it, as they have better "suction" than baby. Just a thought!! Good luck.

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amner · 31/07/2008 17:00

LOL !

Yes, its not a position I would tend to favour in company

I'm not sure I could contemplate any involvement from DH though......

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Caz10 · 31/07/2008 20:32

my dd just laughed and laughed and laughed when I got my boobs out and hovered over her...

the breast pump did it better tbh!

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FrannyandZooey · 31/07/2008 20:35

if you don't fancy the all fours position, just move the baby so that chin is pointing at the blocked bit
rugby style under the arm often works well, or lying on a bed, maybe cross wise?

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emma1977 · 31/07/2008 21:21

Tried all of the above suggestions when I had a blocked duct. It was way too painful to express. It eventually resolved by my dh's superior suction power!

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