blocked duct then MASSIVE gush... any ideas on whats going on?!

[NeatFreak]

Dd is 7 months and still ebf. For the past few months I've had recurrent blocked duct (s) in exactly the same place. I had antibiotics the first time and it cleared up but since then it comes back every ten days or so then goes away. So far I've only had mastitis signs the first time when I had antibiotics but its really painful and stings when I'm feeding.

The latest blockage started on Tuesday and I was still trying to clear it last night. I fed dd to sleep for fifteen mins or so but it was still blocked. I put her in her cot then stood up and wondered what the noise was, only to find it was milk leaking and hitting the floor ... It was like a tap had been turned on as milk was literally gushing out. It lasted about a minute when I had to stem the flow with a muslin then it suddenly stopped and the blockage had gone.

Dd is my third and I had no problems with the other two at all so this is really getting to me. Every ten days or so I'm in so much pain, end up feeding dd even more then she is sick loads. Does anybody have any similar experiences, advice or reassurance that its normal? Dd hasn't had a bottle yet and I don't want to stop nd but I can't carry on like this

I have had a couple of blockages and have found that a nappy filled with warm water is an ideal hot compress to help clear it, that and feeding through the blockage, even though it hurts like hell. According to my friend pointing the baby's chin towards the blockage helps to clear it. I have no evidence either for or against this.

Is it always in the same place? I'm wondering if you are getting trapped while sleeping, or your bra is causing the problem.

Thanks

It is always exactly the same place. I've tried diff,ent bras, sleeping differently but it keeps coming back. I can normally unblock it in a day or so with massage, heat etc but its agony!

Maybe keep the massage and heat treatment up even after it feels like it's cleared?

It might help to really flush everything out and stop it blocking again.

Try dangle feeding.
Lean over her to feed rather than have her lieing on you.
When she is properly attached try to massage in the direction of the flow.

I remember a thread where it was discussed that the best thing to clear a blockage was a hungry toddler. And one described the blocked bit as 'chewy'. Sorry no good if you are not tandem feeding. But I still found it interesting.

Lookup milk bleb, which is the cause of my recurrent duct issues, the trigger is me catching my breast as I lower sleepy baby into cot.

Thanks all. It feels like I spend my whole life googling ways to clear it! It was the huge gush that worried me as I've never experienced anything like it before. I have tried dangle feeding, always massage ,use hot shower attachment, heat and positioning dds mouth in different places but it keeps coming back. I thought it might be one bra but its all of them. I do lie on that side more than other but not exclusively, although dd co sleeps so I have to lie that way most of the time.

Appreciate all the advice and I'm not being ungrateful, just frustrated that there is no miracle cure or prevention!

Have you got a breast pump? I found that pumping was really effective, I could feel it pulling and clearing the blockage.

Could the gush have happened because the blockage had suddenly cleared?

I frequently suffered from blocked ducts and mastitis whilst feeding dc2. It's rubbish isn't it?

It usually started if he wasn't feeding properly for any reason- distracted during a feed, blocked nose meaning he couldn't feed properly etc, but sometimes they started for no apparent reason.

I was more prone to them when I was feeling run down too.

It was a surprise as I hadn't had any problems whilst feeding dc1

I'm stubborn and was determined to carry on feeding ds so I just lived with it. I fed him until he was 19 months.

Sorry, not much help! Just thought it might be reassuring to know you're not alone

For me, expressing did not help at all. It would make the situation worse as the milk would back up behind the blockage. I had a really good pump but my body just didn't respond well to expressing- the suction just wasn't as good as my dcs! I know that it works for other people though so it may be worth a try?

I haven't tried pumping so might be worth a try. I don't have a pump but could maybe borrow one

I had terrible mastitis 3 times until I noticed a very tiny blister on my nipple, very small but that used to kind of heal over and I'd get a build up of milk then know I had to sort it out with a hot compress and usually a needle! Once I opened it up all the built up milk would rush out and is feel much better. Mine was always in the same place like yours as that's where the blister was, can you see anything?

I've looked a few times and can't see anything. It's so hard, especially as I've fed for nearly 4 years now and only had problems in the last few months! We are on holiday this week and it took over the first two days, I am becoming obsessive!

Nothing worse than feeling ill and sore when you're on holiday Neat, no wonder you're fed up!

Have you spoken to anyone from La Leche League or any other breastfeeding support group? They may be able to give you some advice on preventing or minimising blockages.

I've had 3 and frequently experienced this blocked duct. After feeding I'd empty the breast using my electric pump, working and massaging the 'lump' it was highly effective.

Don't think the gush is anything to worry about. Sounds like the fifteen-minute feed dislodged the blockage enough for the pressure of the built-up milk to break through. I will never forget the look of surprise on dd's face the first time she cleared a blockage for me and got a massive rush of milk towards the end of the feed.

Ibuprofen is helpful, both for any pain and to reduce any inflammation around the blockage.

Have you seen the Kellymom page on recurrent blocked ducts ? It has lots of suggestions of different potential causes. And like WaitingFor mentions, the phone helplines can be great for things like this - I've found them reassuring that I'm doing roughly the right things, as well as getting suggestions for other things I could try.

Thanks again for all the advice. There is a local support network that I've never used but maybe now I should start! I did wonder about supplements as I'm trying to be careful as dd has a dairy allergy so I have limited dairy too so need to make sure I get enough supplements.
It's been a week.now with no blockages so maybe that huge gush was the final clearout... Fingers crossed