Help! Blocked ducts

[Tyrionsbitch]

Probably the wrong topic but couldn't work out where to put it. I keep getting blocked ducts, what can I do?

My LO is 12 weeks and I have had awful, painful blocked ducts 6 times now. Every time my breasts are agony, red and hard and I feel awful and feverish. Every time I manage to resolve them without the need for antibiotics but it is really starting to get me down now.

I bf regularly, on demand, so I'm just not sure why this keeps happening. I know what to do to get rid but it takes a couple of days of feeling terrible each time.

Does anyone have any tips to prevent them happening in the first place?

One of the most effective treatments is massage, particularly while you’re feeding or pumping. To massage, start at the outside of the breast and apply pressure with your fingers as you move toward the plug. It may also help to massage while you’re in the shower or bath.

Other tips to clear a clog:

Continue breastfeeding. The idea is to continue draining the breast frequently.
Start feeds with the affected breast to ensure it gets the most attention. Babies tend to suck the hardest on the first breast they’re offered (because they’re hungrier).
Consider soaking your breast in a bowl of warm water and then massaging the clog.
Try changing the positions you use to breastfeed. Sometimes moving around allows your baby’s suction during feeding to better reach the clog.

Has your baby been checked for a tongue tie as a shallow latch can cause blocked ducts.

Is it both breasts, and is it always the same place? Sometimes pressure - a seat belt, an ill-fitting bra or baby carrier - can cause blocked ducts.

Some women are more prone to them - lecithin (the LLL website has details) can help. It can also be related to over supply, might that be an issue for you?

That is mastitis rather than just blocked ducts.
Firstly check your bra. I had one nursing bra that was flatter and so snugger in the cup and every time I wore it I got a blocked duct one one side where the edge of the bra was pressing. It looked like a good fit but you need more room for expansion when you are breastfeeding, and if your bra is too firmly supportive it will cause problems.
Ditto anything that presses down on your breast, I had issues from the cross strap of a sling.
Agree with checking for a tongue tie. Shift position, try the rugby ball hold with your baby lying under your arm. Feed very frequently.
One blocked duct took a weekend to clear, I can still remember the feeling when it shifted, the relief!
A wide toothed comb (like an afro comb) can be used to gently “comb” the skin from the edge of your breast in towards the nipple as you feed and also in the shower. Use a flannel soaked in hot water and then wrung out, as a compress before you feed.
It sounds as though the blockage is not quite clearing. Is it in the same place each time ? It also sounds as though you aren’t initially noticing the blockage, only when it becomes mastitis, so perhaps it is fairly deep within the breast ?

Thank you everyone. She has been checked for a tongue tie and apparently doesn't have one but we do have latch issues. We generally use nipple shields, though we have been trying without more regularly and did loads of feeds without yesterday.

It seems to alternate between boobs so not sure if their is an environmental trigger. I'm going to.assume it's the poor latch. so frustrating though!

Try sleeping on your back

Some people are just pre disposed to it.

Easy solution that works within 2 mins - ask husband to suck. It really works, don't need any ibuprofen, massage etc. It's a shame GP, midwife, health-advisors are too shy to suggest this easy solution.

With my two children I often suffered blocked ducts (particularly after expressing - because those devices don't effectively pull all the milk from all ducts).

Also when finished breast feeding, there was some left, that blocked.

Hopefully husbands will be happy to help!