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Infant feeding

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

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

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

OP posts:
Tydna · 02/07/2013 16:48

Have a hot bath.

Whilst in the bath gently stroke the breast in the direction of th nipple.

You may be able to see a red, inflamed line running towards the nipple.

Keep on gently messaging until you see a whitish plug in the nipple, then gently squeeze the nipple until the plug pops out. You will get a jet of milk squirting across the room at this point.

If none of this works, try to get baby to latch on from a different position than normal. Eg if you are feeding from the right breast lie baby on a cushion with her body to your right. Or put baby on her back on a changing mat and feed her with you on all fours, hovering above her.

Incidentally it is worth varying the feeding position from time to time even if you don't get a blockage to ensure all ducts are emptying equally.

I'm sure you will clear the blockage in the end, I always did.

Best wishes

Tydna · 02/07/2013 16:59

Ps I still remember the agony of trying to feed with mastitis. The anti biotic will cure the infection but you may find the blockage is still there. I massaged the nipple with olive oil to try and get the plug out of the nipple.

Original poster
SpottyTeacakes · 02/07/2013 18:44

I'm still feeling really ill but the pain in bearable. I still can't get a letdown though any ideas? Ds is obviously going to bed now but I will pump after a bath

OP posts:
TobyLerone · 02/07/2013 20:00

Have you been to the GP? You really do need to.

Original poster
SpottyTeacakes · 02/07/2013 20:47

Yes I have started antibiotics Smile

OP posts:
TobyLerone · 02/07/2013 23:34

Good. I hope you feel 10 times better by morning!

Wylye · 03/07/2013 00:38

Just coming on to add my sympathies, I really hope you start to feel better soon.
I had blocked ducts fairly constantly til DS was 8/9mo, often had to use a needle as mentioned upthread, but was v lucky and never had mastitis.

Just in case it helps, I found a lot of my blockages seemed to be caused by constriction - if I wore a night bra and slept on one side all night I'd wake up with a blockage. Hot showers and massage could shift it, but I still had to wait for it to move down to the nipple so I or DS could get it out.

Hope you're feeling better in the morning.

Original poster
SpottyTeacakes · 03/07/2013 06:29

Well last night didn't go according to plan as ds (and myself) slepth through for the first time ever. I didn't wake in much pain though and he's just emptied the bad side and I can't feel any lumps so I'm feeling much better. Thank you everyone SmileThanks

OP posts:
TobyLerone · 03/07/2013 06:36

Excellent news :) I bet the full night's sleep did you the world of good.

TallGiraffe · 03/07/2013 07:50

Fantastic news! Well done miniTeacakes for picking such a perfect night to sleep through.

AndIFeedEmGunpowder · 03/07/2013 09:03

Hurrah! So pleased you're feeling better and got some sleep!

Original poster
SpottyTeacakes · 03/07/2013 18:35

How long should I give the antibiotics to work? I've been feeling so ill all afternoon. Fever back. Thought of food makes me feel sick, hunger making me feel sick and I'm diabetic so my levels are all over the place. Sorry for the woe is me post Blush

OP posts:
Original poster
SpottyTeacakes · 03/07/2013 18:36

Oh and my supply has decreased both sides. I fed ds alternating sides for an hour earlier and he still wasn't satisfied. 20 sucks to one swallow on good side

OP posts:
MNHQ
OliviaYouCannotBSeriousMumsnet · 03/07/2013 18:54

Poor spottyteacakes sorry to hear you're not getting better
We're going to move this thread into breastfeeding
Feel better soon

Original poster
SpottyTeacakes · 03/07/2013 18:54

Thank you Wine

OP posts:
AndIFeedEmGunpowder · 03/07/2013 20:40

Oh SpottyTeacakes Sad so sorry you still feel crap. Can you eat anything at all? ABs on an empty tummy are ghastly. Get well soon.

dreamingofanallotment · 03/07/2013 20:57

Oh Spotty, you poor thing. Sounds like you really need to eat something - can you have lucozadey type stuff (or does that not mix with diabetes?) Is there anything you could stomach? ABs tend to take at least 24 hrs to kick in properly so hopefully by the morning you'll notice a change for the better.
Just keep feeding - your supply will recover if you keep going. You've done so well to keep trying to feed from the sore side, it's really not easy. Your boobs are very clever, they'll sort it out once they've recovered! Hope you're starting to feel less feverish and more like eating now.

SaggyOldClothCatPuss · 03/07/2013 21:02

Yes. Keep feeding and try to eat. Especially if you are diabetic! The milk flow will come back when you are eating and feeling better.

Original poster
SpottyTeacakes · 03/07/2013 21:41

Ok I managed half a yoghurt and half a packet of French fries. Lucozade is out unfortunately. Dp had to give ds a bottle because he was screaming with hunger. Dd is with mil tomorrow so I'm planning skin to skin in bed as much as I can

OP posts:
SaggyOldClothCatPuss · 03/07/2013 21:47

Do you have a breast pump? Could you maybe top DS up with a bottle but keep pumping to stimulate the supply?

Original poster
SpottyTeacakes · 03/07/2013 21:49

I do have a pump but I've been struggling to get anything out...

OP posts:
SaggyOldClothCatPuss · 03/07/2013 22:01

Hmmm. You need the advice of a bf officionado on this. It's been years since I did it. You need to keep up supply but keep DS satisfied. I'd maybe start a new thread on this. Sorry I'm not much more help.

evelynj · 03/07/2013 22:13

Glad you're a bit better-word of advice on the antibiotics for mastitis tho. When I took them I then contracted thrush which Ipassed to DS-was another really painful thing.

There is a supplement that you keep in the fridge to counteract - I think it's acidophilus-worth checking & researching to avoid more pain. You should be really pleased at coming so far though :)

dreamingofanallotment · 03/07/2013 23:02

What type of pump do you have? If it's manual, try contacting local nct, they should have electric pumps you can borrow/hire if you want.
Will DS feed from you at all? if he will, get pump on one side, baby on other as when you get feeding let down, it should let you pump more. Skin to skin in bed tomorrow sounds like a really good plan. Just take it steady, rest up, and look after yourself. Glad you've managed to eat a bit.

YoniBottsBumgina · 03/07/2013 23:18

I wouldn't worry massively about supply. At 7 months it's really not going to disappear if you don't feed for a couple of days and he'll soon get it back up again if you decide you want to continue breastfeeding. Feed whenever you feel up to it but don't worry massively as supply will be established enough by now not to be a problem.

A tip I got from a helpline to get a letdown is this (worked for me when I couldn't get one)

Imagine a circle around your nipple, about 1-2 inches out from it. Using a fingertip, trace a spiral from the edge of this circle inwards towards your nipple, then trace lines with your fingertip from the outside of the circle towards the middle - your nipple. Then express by hand using the Marmet Technique - I'm sorry I can't check if this video is any good because my connection doesn't allow flash, but if you search "Marmet technique" lots will come up.

Pictures and words (small)

Just express into a towel or muslin or if you really want to catch it a large bowl, it's much easier than trying to aim into a bottle.

Good luck. Hope you are feeling better soon!