Ow. Ow ow ow. Is this a blocked duct?

[ReshapeWhileDamp]

Brief history - 5 months of pretty ok breastfeeding, aside from nipple and breast pain initially, cosleeping with baby and do all night feeds lying down/asleep. DS2 is teething at the moment (dribbling lots, fingers in mouth, grumpy, latching changing) though no teeth yet, or lumps on gums.

DS2 had a very restless night last night - I must have fed him 5 or 6 times in an 8 hour period, changing sides and rolling over with him each time. He was latching on and off and 'rummaging' at my boobs (later on he had an explosive poo, and he's often disturbed like this just before a big poo, but this was most of the night). He's also suffering from teething pain and in the last week, his latch has changed and he's been nibbling at the base of my nipples. It's very hard to stop him doing this.

When I woke up in acute pain from my left breast this morning, initially I thought that the biting at my nipples had led to refered pain down the inner side of my breast (I think I had this at the beginning, as there was no other explanation for deep breast pain alongside sore nipples, which got better on their own). But now I can feel that the inner half of my breast is congested and thicker feeling, warmer, and it hurts so much to put pressure there that I'm yelping all the time!

I just spoke to a BFC on the phone, who advised me to keep an eye on it and try to feed from above (danging my boob into DS2's mouth) and maybe rotate him round the breast. Does this sound like a blocked duct? I've never had any problems like this before, and wonder how I got a blocked duct - suspect it might have something to do with all the pummelling I got last night, though maybe it's just bruised??

Anything else I should be doing? I'm feeding him from that boob as often as he'll put up with (fussy little beggar that he is) and 'combing' the painful area towards the nipple. I normally do a fair bit of baby-wearing, but can't even think of that at the moment, as the idea of any pressure on that breast is horrible. I have to hold his hands away while feeding because of course otherwise he just grabs me and makes me scream out.

I didn't want to leave this unanswered......the experts will be along shortly but i've had this sensation before. Initially i would have a warm bath / shower and massage the area (i know that it sounds like the worst thing to do as it's so painful but it really does relieve the pain very quickly). Also put a hot rice / water bottle or flannel on the area as well whenever you can and this helps and I would also pop a few paracetamol initially to take the edge off.

In my case it kept coming back, i got really feverish and had flu like symptoms and was diagnosed with mastitis so have been prescribed medication from the Doc.

Thanks. I had a hot shower and tried to 'comb' the sore area, though maybe not for long enough? and will have a hot bath later. Have got a wheat pack and took some paracetomol. Sorry to hear your problem escalated - I'm terrified of getting mastitis myself.

Hi, it does sound like a blocked duct - I get them a lot. Keep it warm and keep massaging towards the nipple - it hurts so much to do this, but it does soften it and relieve the pain. Feed on that side as often as possible and - v important - keep the massaging going whilst feeding. It sometimes takes a few feeds to clear it, but it will go eventually... if you cant do a whole feed on that side, as the other side is getting too sore, just start the feed on that side (as the start of a feed is when the suck is strongest) and then move over.

Good luck - i know how horrid these are!

Try hand expressing.

Think of your boob like an orange with lots of segments, try and empty each segment.

Put your hand in a "c" shape near your nipple the slowly move it out over the areola pressing gently. You should hit a point were you can feel a harder bit, this is were your hand need to be. Then press in slightly then squeeze inwards. Keep doing this till milk slows to a drip then move your fingers round to the next "segment". Repeat till boob emptied.

Also warm compresses and massaging while feeding can help.

HTH.

Thanks for more tips! It's a bit blotchy and pink on the outside of the breast now, over the sore area - that normal for this? I'm about to try some hand expression - currently have a disposable nappy I heated with hot water over the area.

Update: I found a whiteish area on my nipple, wondered if it might be a bleb (never had one before) and had a sanitised poke at it. Lo and behold, it eventually started gushing milk! NOw the pain is diminishing and I'm encouraging the baby to help it on its way. Thanks, all, for advice and support.