Recurring blocked ducts - help, advice and/or info sought

[Carpo]

Hi,

New to mumsnet and see that this topic is covered in various other threads so sorry to start another. However, we all have our own situation, don't we?

My bf 12 wk old son is doing well, apart from the seemingly inevitable wind/poo 'issues', but I keep getting blocked ducts, which definitely takes the shine off breastfeeding for me. They vary in size, intensity, which boob they appear on and how long they take to go so I'm really wondering how they can best be prevented. Or is it something I'm just prone to and have to put up with?

I do all the usual things: start feeding on affected boob, massage towards nipple (if possible, depending on position), change position of baby, savoy cabbage in bra, etc. This generally gets rid of the bloody things in a day or so and I've only had one bout of actual mastitis, where I went all shivery and crappy and had raised red areas on the breast, and that was sorted with anti-biotics.

With my latest blockage, however, I'm having trouble getting baby to feed off the bad boob because he gets really frustrated, pulling the nipple, pulling away and crying. I guess this is because so little milk is coming through but is obviously going to affect recovery. I have a pump but it's not as effective as him and also manages to get little milk through.

Anyone got any advice, info, ideas as to why this might keep happening?

Thanks!

[FrannyandZooey]

Hi Carpo, welcome to MN :)

I am sorry to hear you are having this problem. I used to also get a lot of blocked ducts and found it hard to deal with. If I remember right, they went away by the time ds was about 9 months old. Meanwhile I coped by bathing in warm water and massaging the lumpy area, plus getting ds to feed off that side whenever possible as you mention. I think sometimes it used to occur when we had missed a feed or when I got muddled about which side he had last fed from.

I was also told that it is a sign of an over tired mother and that you should try to take it easier if at all possible. Easier said than done of course.

In your current situation I would bathe in hot water and massage quite firmly along the lumpy area towards the nipple just before feeding your ds. I have heard a comb can be useful, run it over the breast apparently (sounds nasty though)

If ds still won't feed from that side is there any chance your partner could help you out? (sorry if too awful to contemplate )

Or maybe try to borrow a more effective pump?

HTH, let us know how you get on.

[suzi2]

No direct experience Carpo, but a friend of mine had loads of blocked ducts over the first few weeks and once she got a new bra and stopped wearing a bra at night they stopped.

[EmmyLou]

Have you tried speaking to a BF councellor? I had big problems with ductal thrush that doctors denied existed and some BF councellors couldn't assist me with but eventually got through to someone on phone who said "yep, thats it" and directed me to a brilliant website which I think was by Breast Feeding Network. You could always try google-ing blocked ducts - there is a wealth of info out there but it is sometimes difficult to find! Good luck and much sympathy

[Carpo]

Thanks for the info, advice and sympathy. Luckily, though a biggie, that latest lump was cleared by the 2:30am feed on Sunday - relief!

Loved your idea about hubbie helping out, FrannyandZooey. I can't wait to see his face when I suggest it!!!

I'll keep on massaging when I get one but if anyone can recommend good bras I'd appreciate it. Currently have Mothercare and M & S ones and am not mightily impressed by either model.

Ta muchly!

[controlfreaky]

i had this really badly with ds1. better fitting bra and no bra at night definitely improved things. also homeopathy (but is long time now and i'm afraid i cant remember the name of the remedy, but any homeopath should be able to help. DONT GIVE UP.