Sudden stop to BF, one boob lumpy and sore

[MegBusset]

DS2 self-weaned abruptly a week or so ago (he's 14mo and was previously having two feeds a day).

A couple of days ago in the shower I noticed a lump as big as a golf ball in one boob (the one which always produced more milk and which had previously had a blocked duct). I gave it a squeeze and out came about half a pint of milk!

Since then that boob has been a bit tender and lumpy (no more huge lumps though), but I can only express a few measly drops so don't really know how to clear what I assume is another blocked duct. i don't want to end up with mastitis so can anyone give any tips?

A couple of drops of peppermint oil on a warm damp flannel laid over the area has helped me and several of my BFing mum mates with lumpy sore bits!!

Hot flannels, massage the lump towards the nipple. I found it most effective if I leaned forward while massaging (i.e. gravity helping). Express a little if you can. A blocked duct can turn to mastitis, and it's horrible. You'll know about it when you feel like you have caught a cold and your breat turns red and hot and VERY sore.

i had the same problem together with heat and pain.

Lay in a nice warm bath and massage them gently after the initial pain receeds you can massage them harder and ease out the milk.

I found it better to express my milk because it hurt me too much for DD to feed and the guilt of seeing blood around her mouth nearly stopped me completely..

Expressing was sooooo much better.

Also put a cool gel pad on it under a hanky or flannel to ease the pain and swelling.

Expressing regularly should ease the pain, use an electric expressor it is much better although cant help but feel like a cow...

Thank you all, presumably I shouldn't express too much though as I need the milk to dry up now I'm no longer BFing. I will try the warm flannel.