Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Original poster

Blocked duct and pregnant

12 replies

bunnyfrance · 12/12/2010 18:13

Oh help - I'm 5 weeks pregnant, DS1, 15 months, feeds twice a day and I have what seems to be a blocked duct (hard lump which gets smaller after he feeds).

The most common advice is to have the baby feed frequently, but my DS isn't interested as he's only fed twice a day for about 6 months now.

I'm trying hot showers and combing, to no avail so far (found the lump this morning)

I'm really scared of getting mastitis as am reluctant to take antibiotics while pregnant.

Can anyone reassure me that I can get rid of this without medication? And how long will it take? Thanks!

OP posts:
sedgiebaby · 12/12/2010 18:18

I've had lots of this due to baby being a very inefficient feeder, I've lost count of how many. I do this:
Paracetamol, heat (heated pad like the ones you put in the microwave so you have more constant heat than a shower can give you), pump the breast, put baby on that breast as much as possible (pump the other one?), massage when pumping/feeding and last resort stinky savoy cabbage leaves but normally isn't required.

Original poster
bunnyfrance · 13/12/2010 07:51

Thanks for the reply, sedgiebaby

Have tried heat and baby feeding in different positions, not working.

The doctor's just been round (great thing about France - home visits!) and he wants me to have an ultrasound on the affected site as soon as possible. So now I'm panicking even more...arrgghhh!!!

OP posts:
sedgiebaby · 13/12/2010 08:31

I've done the around the clock face and hanging over baby feeding and I dont find it works. Somehow it is the paracetamol that does it. My HV said about ibuprofen because it will remove some inflamation and make it easier to clear but somehow paracetamol is much better for me, a few feeds/pumps and some massage over the next 24 hours and it is gone. I wouldn't worry about the U/S if they are doing that then great but if it is less after a feed it sounds more of a blockage than anything more sinister.

marzipananimal · 13/12/2010 09:30

I had an ultrasound as my breast was still lumpy after a bout of mastitis. It was absolutely fine, not scary or painful and it just means they can find out what's going on in there.
Sounds like you're doing the right things. They usually go away in a couple of days (I have one at the mo so hoping so!)
The antibiotic used for mastitis (in the UK anyway) is flucloxacillin which is what they give you if you have a UTI when pregnant so don't worry too much (though you probably won't need it)

marzipananimal · 13/12/2010 09:34

congratulations on the pregnancy by the way Grin

Original poster
bunnyfrance · 13/12/2010 14:33

Thanks, marzipananimal! To be honest, I'm barely even thinking about being pregnant now!

Have appointment for ultrasound tomorrow afternoon, will report back.

I also spent an hour in bed with a hot water bottle on the affected boob and the lump seems to have subsided a little, so there's hope at least.

OP posts:
Original poster
bunnyfrance · 14/12/2010 19:23

Well, I've had the ultrasound which wasn't very reassuring. It's a solid mass which they biopsied then and there. The radiologist wouldn't give any diagnosis, I have to wait to get the results tomorrow. I now have a huge bandage on my chest and have to stop feeding on that side.

Thanks for your support, sedgie and marzipan.

OP posts:
marzipananimal · 15/12/2010 10:31

you poor thing. have they told you to keep expressing or anything? It's good they're dealing with it so quickly (much quicker than in the UK!). Let us know how it goes [hug]

bluebea · 15/12/2010 11:33

Have you (or Dr) checked to see if you have a milk blister? I had a blocked boob and nothing would help. I posted a message here and someone suggested checking for a small white dot at end of nipple. There was one there and I carefully removed it with a sterile needle (could get Doctors to do this if there is a white dot) A tiny white lump came out and then my boob drained.

Original poster
bunnyfrance · 16/12/2010 06:54

I've been diagnosed with an abscess and am taking a course of antibiotics for 6 days. I'm a bit surprised at their diagnosis, as the mass is totally solid, not liquid, and so they can't drain it. Find it hard to believe that just antibiotics will clear it up.

I've also been told not to feed from that side at all, and to wean DS completely asap, which I'm gutted about. It's not how I wanted it to end, after 15 months of feeding. I've already dropped the evening feed, which he wasn't bothered about anyway. Just the morning one to go now, which will be more difficult.

According to the doctors, it may have been caused by the fact that I'm pregnant (too many conflicting hormones), which I also find hard to believe. Surely women have been feeding while pregnant since the dawn of time??!

Arrgghh, I just hope the breast won't be too damaged and that I'll be able to feed my next baby.

Thanks for your support, everyone.

OP posts:
marzipananimal · 16/12/2010 07:13

that sounds a bit strange and Hmm at them telling you to wean completely. Can you get a second opinion? maybe ring one of the UK bf helplines for their thoughts?
hope you're ok

Original poster
bunnyfrance · 17/12/2010 09:58

The gynaecologist (as opposed to the GP who prescribed the ABs) has reassured me that it's not ncessary to wean completely, there's no rush, so phew! She did agree, however, that I shouldn't feed from the affected side.

Am still in a lot of pain, but hard to tell if that's from the biopsy or from the abscess. My boob is black and blue all over, not a pretty sight!

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page