any tips for easing the pain of a blocked duct?

[pinkgirlythoughts]

I have a blocked milk duct :( My entire right boob is rock hard, and getting more painful as the day goes on- when I got this morning, it was just hard on top, now it's the whole thing, and even walking too quickly is sore!

I've had a warm bath, and tried to express some milk while I was in there (no joy though). Also been regularly putting DS to this breast- he's sucking away, but I can't hear him swallowing much, and I usually can while he feeds. Tried to massage it while he was feeding too, but that was incredibly painful!

Does anyone have any other tips for easing the pain? And can the doctor do anything for me at the minute, or does it need to actually be mastitis before they can help?

You poor thing. I was coming on here to suggest a bath and hand-expressing in there, but I see you've tried that. I hope someone comes along with some more ideas.

Bumping for you

I'll lend you DS if you like, he cleared mine beautifully ,he's only 3 months old but has a latch like a milking machine....

Seriously, I had my first blocked duct this week and it was horrible. Much sympathy. I did the warm bath thing, submerged the boobs and managed to express stuff but it didn't shift the lump. DS eventually managed to shift it on his first night feed. Could you put your DS on when he's a bit sleepy? My DS seemed a bit annoyed with that boob when he was awake, i wondered if if felt / tasted funny.

Cold cabbage leaves in your bra

Combing your boob

Sounds daft but it does work!!!

And express express express or feed feed feed in as many positions as you can think of!

Hot flannel before expressing also works

Oh and try ibuprofen I believe. That was what I was going to try next if I couldn't get DS to clear it.

Also look on kellymom's website - loads of good tips there!

Apparently if you let your child feed with their chin in the direction of where the blockage is, it helps clear it. Could lead to some interesting contortions though I imagine! I have also heard the combing suggestion before too.

Feed on all fours with your boob dangling!

And yes, try to feed with your LO's chin where the blockage is - when I tried this it did involve DD lying across me and the back of the sofa!

Oh, and disposable nappy filled with hot water on the boob, like a compress.

All these things and what everyone else has mentioned shifted all my blocked ducts (and there have been a few) in 24 hours.

was going to suggest combing your boob too

When you have a warm bath lay facing down with boobs dangling down & try hand expressing/stroking.