Breast engorgement/blocked ducts for a week now-advice please!

[orlando35]

I have a painful lumpy bit in one breast for a week now. DD is just over 3 weeks old. Feeding has been going well and I went to see my Health visitor at breast feeding drop in last week when problem started. She said DD is latching on ok and I am feeding regularly. I have tried hot and cold flannels and massaging lump whilst feeding as suggested. It feels a bit better after all of these but then returns to painful state before next feed from that side. I am wondering if a week is too long for it to go on. Anyone had similar experience? Also is this a blocked duct or engorgement? I don't have any other symptoms.

Hi orlando35. I couldn't tell you exactly what it is as I'm no pro but out of my own experience it sounds like you have mastitis to me. I rekon if it's still as bad by monday that you should go see the doc. What worked for me was to get into a hot, full bath and try bending forward so your breasts are in the water. After a minute or so your breasts should start leaking from the heat. Then with both hands massage the breasts at the same time so that you can empty the breasts as much as possible. Keep doing this everyday. But in between feeds just try releasing some more milk from each breast so it doesn't build up. Well done on breastfeeding it's the best thing for your dd

If you aren't sick (and I think mastitis makes you feel like flu) it's probably a blocked duct. I had a galactaceole (which is sort of like an in built blocked duct) which didn't go no matter what I did. It felt painful but due to being engorged (not due to being red and infected) and no other symptoms. In end was treated by being aspirated (eventually I had to have it removed surgically but surgeon said was first case he had seen that didn't clear up via aspiration ). Go to Gp and ask- if you really have no other symptoms then don't need antibiotics (the repeated doses of these made both me and dd sick when didn't actually need them).

have you tried ibuprofen? I had this on and off and I would take 2 ibuprofen have a hot shower and let the jet pummel blocked boob a bit then feed.

Once, I checked and I could actually see where the blocked duct was in my nipple (this get a bit gross) and I scrapped the top and squeezed and it sort of popped and then came a squirting out. It was like a spot but not as disgusting. I am not advocating home surgery or anything but once I realised I could see where it was blocked I got the hang of unblocking it.

Another thing is that you feed with your boob dangling into babys mouth. So you are on all fours and baby is chin to blocked duct - I think this causes a different kind of suction that causes it to dislodge the blockage. It looks and feels particularly odd but can work!

Sorry to be so quick but I really recommend La Leche League and their volunteer helpline to talk this through with and help you work out what is causing pain and to find some solutions. I have found them Amazing. Good Luck and hope this gets better for both you and Baby :-)

Thanks everyone. I will call La Leche if it continues and go again to see Health visitor. I don't think it is Mastitis as I don't feel ill but I'm concerned as I read blocked ducts can lead to Mastitis if left too long.
mrsbumbledosem- I read similar advice on Dr Sears website about unblocking ducts. I don't see where it is on my nipple though. i just have hard lumpy area on underside of boob.

I just tried ice pack then hot flannel and massage followed by feed in different position (underarm feed) and bob feels a bit better but lump still there just not as sore.

will keep trying everything! It painful but not as bad as cracked nipples!

oops I meant boob not bob- I haven't given them names!

I second the ibuprofen advice, that's what has always helped me the most with blocked ducts.
Top dose, if you are ok with it, for 24-48 hours.

Hope bob is better soon

if you can, try feeding with the baby's chin towards the bockage, this helps to clear it. You do need to be a bit inventive with positioning though so prob best not to do in public

I've had a blocked duct that lasted longer than a week so not totally abnormal. It just went away in the end. Combing boob with a (soapy) wide toothed comb towards the nipple before a feed can help, but generally just try and get baby to empty it as much as he/she can

I have quite regular blocked ducts and have never managed to clear th with baths/showers/combs etc. I have found that leaving the boob to get quite hard and full, then using an electric pump to completely empty the boob while massaging down towards nipple works for me. Normally only have to do this once or twice.

Hope you clear it soon