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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

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Original poster

Please please please can someone help me (bf related)

80 replies

SpottyTeacakes · 02/07/2013 01:18

I've got a horrendous blocked duct I'm in agony. Ds fast asleep so I'm sobbing on the sofa trying to express but I can't get a bloody let down. I've never had this problem before and I don't know what to do. I can't even touch my boob so can't hand express or anything

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Thesunalwayshinesontv · 02/07/2013 01:23

Oh dear OP, I know just how that feels. Afraid the only solution that used tomwork for me EVERY TIME was to hand express.
Can you try putting anreeslly, really hot towel over the affected breast (until the towel goes cold) andnthen going hammer and tongs with expressing? Maybe neck a couple of paracetamol first (give it 20 mins to take effect)?
Poor you, I hope this resolves itself tonight.

Thesunalwayshinesontv · 02/07/2013 01:25

Let me try again (bloody ipad):
Used to work
A really, really hot towel
And then going

Weegiemum · 02/07/2013 01:25

I'm no expert (well haven't been for several years!) but I'm here.

I had this and I read (probably on mn) - have a hot as you can stand shower and use a wide-tooth comb or hairbrush to massage towards the nipple while the breast is in the flow of water.

I know why you're sobbing ... But tensing up won't help so try to relax if you can.

Ibuprofen is safe while bf and will take down swelling!

Hope it gets better - I'll check back but off to tend croupy, wheezy 9yo!

frutilla · 02/07/2013 01:26

Poor you! I have had blocked ducts many times, and I have started off pumping until I can see which duct is blocked as it started to swell a bit. Then I have taken a needle, sterilised it, and gently pressed it into the blister bit. I have done this 6 or 7 times and it has always worked for me. The pain wasn't bad, and well worth the relief. Sometimes just squeezing has worked to release the blockage but failing that the needle always worked. Then when the milk is able to flow a bit, just squeeze excess out into sink to get rid of the pressure, Best of luck. x

Caterpillar0 · 02/07/2013 01:26

Whenever I've had this the only way it's resolved is from the baby sucking. I'd wake your ds up and get him sucking if its unbearable. Try positioning him with his nose in line with the blockage.
I remember one persistent one I had disappeared one day when my ds was screaming hungry and came on with an extra ferocious suck
Good luck. I think a hot bath and massage is meant to help

Original poster
SpottyTeacakes · 02/07/2013 01:31

Thank you. This is probably my fifth blockage in four days. No blister. We don't have a shower or any ibuprofen. I've got heat on it and will go and wake ds. This one is so deep I can't feel the lump I think that's why it hurts so much. I think this is going to be the one that tips me over the edge I can't do this anymore Sad

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WhiteBirdBlueSky · 02/07/2013 01:35

It's horrible when you have one of those 'this is horrible, I'm not doing this any more' moments. I remember sobbing and just fearing her wanting to feed. Everything did resolve itself in the end though. How old is your DS?

Kveta · 02/07/2013 01:36

God, you poor thing, blocked ducts can be a right bitch :(

Second the suggestion to feed baby with his chin towards the blockage - I used to kneel over DS with boob dangling to get extra assistance from gravity. Looked a right berk, but it did help.

Original poster
SpottyTeacakes · 02/07/2013 01:37

He's seven months so not a new one! I didn't have any problems to start with but it's just getting worse and worse. I think a combination of him feeding less frequently and being more fussy as he's so nosey

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TallGiraffe · 02/07/2013 01:41

Good luck - hopefully a feed in a dark quiet room will do the trick as there will be no distractions.

If not, get in a hot deep bath and try massaging it there.

Original poster
SpottyTeacakes · 02/07/2013 01:42

Ds feeding now but I still can't get a let down

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Original poster
SpottyTeacakes · 02/07/2013 01:48

Now my nipple is bleeding I've never had that before?

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Original poster
SpottyTeacakes · 02/07/2013 02:53

Now I've been sick Sad

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MummyPig24 · 02/07/2013 03:03

Oh god sounds awful. Do you feel shivery and unwell? Could be mastitis?

Thesunalwayshinesontv · 02/07/2013 03:04

I'm not a doctor and have no medical training. However vomiting doesn't sound good. Do you have a temperature? The bleeding may or may not be connected.

I don't live in the UK, but is there a 24hour NHS Direct type thing you can ring?

You say you don't have ibuprofen, but do you have paracetamol? That should help bring down any temperature.

Is your baby mix fed or only bf?

Gbnewbie · 02/07/2013 03:05

Oh OP, so sorry! Have you managed to try getting in the bath as an earlier poster suggested? Maybe try feed expressing gently after 20 mins? Also why not start a thread in feed the world? You might find more helpful advice there. Really sorry I don't have anything more practical for you but wanted to know someone was here listening. The very best of luck. So hope you manage to get in sorted.

Thesunalwayshinesontv · 02/07/2013 03:05

Agree - I was thinking infection of some sort. Five blocked ducts in four days could very well be mastitis. Never had it so can't advise further. Except to say that apparently cabbage leaves in the bra soothes the pain...?

Gbnewbie · 02/07/2013 03:05

Def call nhs direct!

Gbnewbie · 02/07/2013 03:10

Sounds like it could well be mastitis - www.babycareadvice.com/babycare/general_help/article.php?id=83

Original poster
SpottyTeacakes · 02/07/2013 03:19

Thanks everyone. I had a bath and did my best it's just an old bleb that was bleeding. It's so painful. I found some ibuprofen but sucked it back up. Pretty sure it's mastitis so will see doctor tomorrow. Not sure how I will cope with 3yp dd and ds. Dd came in and asked if it was morning! I'm going to try and get some sleep now but thank you for all your comments it's awful being ill in the night on your own Thanks

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MummyPig24 · 02/07/2013 03:24

Definitely get down to the gp and some antibiotics should work quickly. Is there someone you can call on for help tomorrow? I agree it is hideous being ill and having to care for little ones. Best of luck.

rundontwalk · 02/07/2013 04:31

Hope you got some sleep OP-off to the Dr with you in the morn!

Original poster
SpottyTeacakes · 02/07/2013 05:57

Well I got another hours sleep this morning. I had to feed him and the pain was awful I had to take him off before I was sick again. How on earth am I going to keep my supply up if expressing/feeding is making me sick?

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AndIFeedEmGunpowder · 02/07/2013 06:08

Oh Spotty you poor thing. Can you make it to the Dr to get antibiotics? One of my friends got a prescription over the phone when she had mastitis.

I wouldn't stress about your supply, at 7 months I think it's really well established, but do try and keep feeding, easier said than done I know.

I'm so sorry x

MaggieMaggieMaggieMcGill · 02/07/2013 06:15

I think that in terms of getting it resolved, it's early days as you are yet to see the gp but at seven months, you've done fantastically well and switching to formuls and a bottle/cup is not a huge deal.