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Infant feeding

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

Original poster

Can this wait?

31 replies

MadameJ · 01/01/2014 09:08

Yesterday my left breast felt engorged on the top and side (by my armpit), dd2 jasnt being feeding great as she has a chest infection. She took a reasonable feed of that side but it still felt hard so I massaged it and hand expressed a little more. This morning both breasts feel quite sore especially when carrying dd against them. Do I need to call ooh or can I wait until the gp is open tomorrow? I never had any problems with my first daughter so I'm a bit clueless. Thanks and happy new year.

OP posts:
snapcruncher · 01/01/2014 09:24

If it is just a bit hard and not hot and you have no other symptoms it might wait.

The best advice I got on here when I had a blockage was to have a hot deep bath and massage the hard bit and hand express a wee bit.

It cleared up really well.

Also try turning DD2 round to feed in rugby ball hold to try and help clear it.

Hope yours is better soon.

snapcruncher · 01/01/2014 09:25

Happy New Year :)

Original poster
MadameJ · 01/01/2014 09:57

Thanks will try that (loving the fact that a long, hit bath has being advised!!)

OP posts:
Original poster
MadameJ · 01/01/2014 10:08

Thanks will try that (loving the fact that a long, hit bath has being advised!!)

OP posts:
OneMoreThenNoMore · 01/01/2014 10:15

I suffered from blocked ducts a lot with dc2 (never had any problems the first time around though). I also ended up with mastitis several times as a result.

Are you feeling ok- no flu-like symptoms? If it's just hot and sore then I would try a hot bath/shower, massage if you can bear it (I never could), lots of feeding on that side and some ibuprofen as that's an anti-inflammatory. If you start to feel unwell you'll need to get yourself to the doctor for some antibiotics.

Happy new year. Smile

Original poster
MadameJ · 01/01/2014 10:38

I feel ok so will just see how it goes. Never thought I would be so eager for dd to wake from her nap!! Thanks for the advice.

OP posts:
Original poster
MadameJ · 01/01/2014 10:38

I feel ok so will just see how it goes. Never thought I would be so eager for dd to wake from her nap!! Thanks for the advice.

OP posts:
jenwa · 01/01/2014 11:41

I woke with a hard lump on Monday. It's nearer the edge where my bra sits and it's quite hard. Drs given me antibiotics but still not going. I've tried to massage with hot flannels and have hot baths and showers but mines still not going. Feeding lots on that side and expressing too to relieve it. Am sore on that side but no redness. Worried its something serious now as dr said she would refer me to breast consultant if not gone and gave to go back tomorrow Sad
Sorry for hijacking thread just thought id post here rather than start another one. X

OneMoreThenNoMore · 01/01/2014 15:56

I'm not sure but if you only started the antibiotics a couple if days ago then it may take a while to get in your system, jenwa? If you're feeling worried though, perhaps you should ring NHS direct for advice.

I seem to remember that for me, the lumps could sometimes take up to about ten days to disappear completely after a blockage.

Hope you feel better soon.

Madame, how are you feeling?

jenwa · 01/01/2014 16:36

Thank you. Going to drs tomorrow so hopefully they can check it again. Doesn't feel like it's gone down at all but maybe takes a while. Just scared it's something go more serious!

traininthedistance · 01/01/2014 16:43

Bumping as am suffering from the same thing! DD can't seem to get anything out of the sore side and I've massaged, put heat on, started antibiotics from OOH GP just in case, but can't shift it. Feels like my whole breast is blocked. Can't get anything out by hand and there's no bleb, I think the blockage is deep in the breast. I'm away at parents' house so haven't got my breast pump. Anything else I can do? Worried about getting an abscess! Any help much appreciated!

jenwa · 01/01/2014 16:54

I can get milk out of mine but just not as much as the right side.
I've tried massaging and heat etc and am worries it's something serious. I can feel a lump but more where my bra would sit. Not sure if the bra has caused a problem so not worn one for a few days.
Can you express with your hand at all?

OneMoreThenNoMore · 01/01/2014 17:22

train, have you tried a hot shower or bath? Take some ibuprofen, it will ease the pain and will help reduce the swelling too. Parecetamol for pain relief and reducing fever too.

Expressing only ever made the pain worse for me, but then I was never very successful with expressing... Actually feeding ds from the affected side helped, although it did hurt. Try feeding as much as possible.

Don't panic, the antibiotics will work- it may just take a few days before you really notice, but definitely seek medical advice if you're not happy about the situation.

Make sure you rest. Often mine would clear up on their own after a few days of feeding lots, ibuprofen and general rest.

Thanks for you all- I remember the pain well.

Original poster
MadameJ · 01/01/2014 17:56

Sorry that others are suffering. Thankfully mine seems slightly better probably helped by the fact that dd is feeling better and cluster fed most of the day :-)

Thanks for all the advice as always, not sure I would manage without mn!!

OP posts:
OneMoreThenNoMore · 01/01/2014 18:32

Glad you're feeling a bit better Madame Smile

AnotherStitchInTime · 01/01/2014 18:38

Glad to hear it has resolved itself slightly. Another tip for shifting a duct blockage is to feed so that baby's chin lines up with the blockage as this creates the greatest suction to help shift it.

jenwa · 01/01/2014 19:21

I tried that earlier but had to be the rugby ball hold as it's on the outside of my breast. Was not a comfy position and my baby is very long I had to sit very far forward but I was telling myself it should help. Still there though ??

Glad yours is getting better madamej

traininthedistance · 01/01/2014 20:57

I've tried hot bath and shower, hot water bottle, massage, combing, rugby ball etc but still no effect and the whole breast is getting lumpier, hotter and redder! Eeek, what happens if it just won't shift and the milk just keeps backing up? :(

OneMoreThenNoMore · 01/01/2014 21:11

Sounds very painful train, maybe you should contact NHS direct for advice? Perhaps leave it alone for a couple of hours (unless you need to feed baby, obvs!)- maybe it's been overstimulated?

jenwa · 01/01/2014 21:20

Can you express to relive it a little bit?

traininthedistance · 01/01/2014 21:45

Have contacted 111/OOH who just faxed a coamoxiclav prescription to a pharmacy for me. Can't manage to express more than a few drops.... Would a pump help?

OneMoreThenNoMore · 01/01/2014 21:53

IME, expressing didn't help- by hand, electric medela swing pump or manual pump. But my boobs never did respond well to expressing Confused, so it may be worth a try for you?!

Hopefully these antibiotics will start to work quickly for you.

KikiShack · 02/01/2014 00:45

hi all, no experience of this myself but a few mums I know were discussing recently and someone said mw had told them if it won't shift to let DP have a suck to try and clear blockage! Might be worth trying, especially if expressing doesn't work or you're without a pump.
I have asked DP to help out when I've been really engorged and it was a bit weird but we both laughed about it.

jenwa · 02/01/2014 04:09

I have a pump and it just helps in having the breast not so full but they are expensive. Would not want to tell you to get one if it didn't work as they cost a lot. Mine was over £100. It's an electric one. Very good though but like OP said it didn't help them. Do you know anyone who may have one you could try?
kikishack. Shock!! I suppose you have to try anything if it helps. Can't imagine DH wanting to do that but I will suggest it to him Wink

traininthedistance · 02/01/2014 04:38

I have a pump but am away from home visiting relatives so no way of getting hold of one until I get back. Have tried everything now and am awake with the pain it's so bad! :( Worried that it's going to do permanent damage - nothing is shifting at all.... Does the blockage eventually get re-absorbed if you just can't get it out?