Is this a blocked duct? What can I do?

[MrsHoratioNelson]

I have a hard, marble shaped and sized lump on the side of my breast towards my armpit. I noticed it on Monday. I've been massaging it but it won't shift. I've been making sure DS feeds on that side but he only ever takes one side so its difficult and I don't want to let the other side get engorged.

That side is aching but its difficult to tell if that's just general feeding pain or as a result of this lump - DS is 3 weeks and has a poor latch.

I had that and it was a blocked duct - it was because I'd changed the position he was feeding from and it didn't seem to take the milk from the whole breast.

Mine did go, but only when I massaged it at the same time as my son fed.

Hopefully someone with experience of them not clearing quickly will be able to give better advice on what to do next.

Thanks Greta, I'll try massaging at the same time as he feeds. Someone from the local baby cafe recommended dangle feeding. Has anyone had any success with that.

Hi MrsH, I've been suffering with these recently. Cleared them so far by massaging whilst feeding; using a hot flannel to massage the bad breast whilst baby feeds from the other; and massaging in a hot shower. Basically, massage!

Hi Pseudo - thanks I will try all of that. What a pain! If it were a blister I'd pop it, but not an option here...

I have had a couple of these, I think the thing that has worked best for me is holding an electric toothbrush onto the affected area (or other vibrating object- like a mobile phone dirty buggers ), get a hot shower and check for white spots on the nipple- pop if visible, feed LO straight after shower.
May be coincidence but I have tried this the last twice and cleared it within a couple of hours rather than the days it had taken before.

Hope that helps, they can be a bugger and hurt too- make sure you have some ibuprofen if needed.

I've had a few over the last few weeks. What worked for me is a hit shower directly in the patch, combing towards the nipple with a wide toothed comb and hard massage during feeds. Dd thought it was a game when I dangle fed and bit me...

Agh, I've tried all of the above and I can't shift it! He most I have achieved is a bruise from hard massaging... Is it going to turn into mastitis? Is there any chance it will just clear by itself?

Can you express from that side? Might help.

I've tried that too Cru - in fact I did it dangle feeding style hanging off the edge of the bed in case it would help :(

Actually, the only thing I haven't tried is the suggestion of nowthen to put a vibrator electric toothbrush on it - DH is going to think I'm nuts.