How to unblock blocked milk ducts in underarm

[Fakebook]

It's happened with every single baby. I am in so much pain right now and baby isn't feeding well or latching on properly so it's even more painful than before.

I have two tender swollen areas under my right armpit. With DS I tried warm compresses and it never worked. This time I'm trying cold compresses and they're still there. No matter how hard I rub them (I wince through the pain) they don't go down and only disappear and appear when they want to.

What shall I do? I feel like opening up my armpit and ripping out the breast tissue from there.

Why the fuck is there breast tissue in underarms anyway? Why?

How old is baby?

Lunatic that sounds horrible. So there is no magic cure? apart from the kneading and expressing? It just hurts so much.

OhBaby, she's 3 days today. My milk came in gradually today and its already blocked. I have the same problem spots in the right arm that never go away.

Massage during feeds as much as you can, express a bit with hot water on the lumps while showering

I tried the shower and massage downwards earlier. They did go down for a bit but back again. I've had an ice pack on them for 1.5 hours and rubbing them down. Still no luck. Baby had a little feed from that breast but she's having latching issues so may have to express.

I'm worried because I'm about to go to sleep and they're going to swell all night. Do you know how I can minimise swelling overnight?

Def express. Have u got a decent breastpump?

And are u getting support with latch?

Yes I'm getting breast feeding support thankfully. I have midwives coming around tomorrow to drop off a pump for me to use for a week to express with until it all calms down (hopefully).

I'm apparently doing everything correctly, but have a lazy baby without a wide gape, so it's hard getting my breast in her mouth.

Just freeze all the excess and dont let baby have a sneaky bottle! Offer tons of boob and she will catch on soon

Ditch the ice packs and use heat - absolute best tip I ever had wasti put hot water (from tap, not kettle) into a disposable nappy, it stays warm longer than a compress.

Have you tried combing over the lumps towards your nipple in the shower? I have no idea why that works but sometimes it does.

Other one is dangle boob over baby and feed while hovering above, or express at that angle. Totally bizarre but gravity helps.

I have vivid memories of one blockage popping out while I was massaging my boob in the shower. The milk behind it squirted out so hard it hit the opposite wall (shower over bath so no mean feat!) the relief was exquisite.

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone. All really helpful advice. Ive just finally had success with the right breast. She latched on and fed for 15 mins which is amazing. First time since she's been born. I rubbed the lumps as she fed but they're still quite tender. Maybe a few more feeds and expressing from tomorrow will be enough to drain them.

Jassy, I'm going to try the disposable nappy compress tomorrow. Well later in the day!

I've always been told that they drain best the area that their chin points towards. Have you consider the rugby ball hold? I have used it with both children when feeding at home (I find it a bit inconvenient out at about and use a normal front hold then).

I just use a couple of pillows to the side of me to support their weight. Might be worth a try?

Fake, glad you got some relief - hope it continues!

Patilla, I haven't tried the rugby ball hold yet but I have used it with my other two children in the past and it does provide a small relief from the pain. My baby has only been feeding from the right breast since last night so I think this is something I'm going to have to teach her as her latch isn't very good. Very frustrating.

The midwife dropped the expresser around today for me to use for a week. I've expressed the right breast and rubbed the lumps and they've gone down a bit. Been taking Paracetemol for the pain too. I feel very lucky that the breast feeding support in my area is so good.

Baby has been feeding from both breasts today. Very happy and relieved she's finally learnt how to feed. She still lip smacks a bit when starting off but I just reposition her head a bit and it stops.