blocked duct advice - quite far back in breast near armpit and struggling to clear it.

[leonardofquirm]

Yesterday evening I noticed that the side of my breast felt a bit tender. I am expressing at work and away from my baby about 9 hours a day. I normally express twice a shift.

I did my best to massage lots while expressing and when I got in fed DS2 sitting up, lying down, rugby ball etc to see if that will help.

I thought I'd cleared out and it was still just a bit sore but it feels a bit lumpy again.

DS2 has a cold and is struggling to feed a bit which isn't helping. I just don't want to leave it to get worse.

Thanks in advance for any tips. :)

Get in a deep hot bath and get the whole breast nicely warmed up underwater. Then start trying to massage out the lumpy bits - gently stroke towards the nipple. Trying to encourage the lump to dissolve in the warmth and start to express it out. Beware this can be very effective, surprisingly so - eg you don't realise how much milk you can express out like this, then suddenly your breast thinks, OK got to produce lots more tomorrow... So go careful but this can really relieve those lumpy bits.

Also beware mastitis - ie if the lumps get infected, you will suddenly be running a fever. If this happens don't soldier on, get thee to the doctors for antibiotics.

Can also swear by the savoy-cabbage-leaf inside the bra. Don't know why, but the coolness and texture seems to bring relief.

Good luck!

I always try and put babies chin in line with lump which in this case would be an across the shoulder feed ! So might not be practical, though lying down with some help from someone else might just be doable, hope some more advice comes along soon.

Yes I second getting the baby in the best position may even mean you lying on bed feet one way and baby the other way if that makes sense, good luck it's awful :(

Ibuprofen always helped relieve the inflammation and discomfort of my blocked ducts quickly.
I took max dose for a couple of days until I was sure it had resolved.

Hope it clears quickly.

Hot compresses and massage before and during expressing and feeding.

Thanks all. Trying to wrestle snotty grumpy baby back to sleep here but week demand a bath tomorrow.

DS2 now wide awake and has invented himself a fun game where he throws Ewan the dream sheep on the floor and looks hopefully at me till I pick it up. Not interested in feeding but I've just discovered how fast he can crawl if you put him drown in a sleeping bag.

Yes I second what McBaby suggested (forgotten that one!). Use a damp-with-hot-water flannel as a hot compress over the lump before breastfeeding, to try to get the lump moving.

Sympathy from me. I get blocked ducts like that, where you can barely move your arm.
I can only agree with what everybody else has suggested. Also perhaps a hot shower, and express with the jet on the blockage.

I usually find that it suddenly goes and there's a massive gush of milk.
Hoping that happens sooner rather than later for you

Thanks. Tried a bit of massage in the shower this morning but I guess not enough.

Have informed DH that I require a big deep bath tomorrow.

Snot baby is up again already, could be another long night...

Thanks again all. Had my big bath this morning and seem to have managed to massage/express it all away.

It is hardly sore at all now.

I'm really pleased to hear it.

Wow well done! I hope you have some lump-free breastfeeding ahead of you now!

Me too!