Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Infant feeding

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

Flip

1 2

Original poster

Plugged ducts/mastitis

29 replies

SellyMevs · 26/09/2014 10:29

I've posted before about the difficulties BF DS. He's 7 weeks, had a posterior tongue tie snipped on Monday and we've been using shields.

Yesterday was the first day we managed more feeds without a shield than with, and I've ended up with plugged ducts. His latch was still poor and my nipples painful.

The worst one is in the right boob. It's already much bigger than last night, the hard lump is spreading and there are a few red streaks. It feels bruised. I have a small lump on the left that's also sore but only the size of a pea. The right side is probably half the size of the palm of my hand.

I'm trying everything... I'm making him feed feed feed, but we are using shields so I don't know how effective this is. Although I'd avoided this until he tried latching by himself so I'm not convinced his latch would be efficient enough anyway. I've tried hot compresses, hand expressing in the bath and I'm about to have a hot shower and try the comb trick. I've even tried expressing with the electric pump after feeds. My nipples are agony from yesterday which doesn't help matters.

What else can I do?! It's getting bigger and I can't clear it. I'm already on antibiotics (co-amoxiclav) that were started on Monday. Do I need to go back to the GP? I can only take paracetamol as I'm allergic to ibuprofen so I'm not sure they can offer me much more advice?

OP posts:

fionnthedog · 26/09/2014 12:50

Oh hun I feel your pain. I have an oversupply and so I regularly get plugged ducts even now ds is 5 months and once ended up with mastitis. This was following DS's tongue tie division at 6 weeks when he didn't feed for 12 hours.

You say you're on antibiotics already - is this for mastitis as I have to say that the description of your right boob sounds like it has got to this stage. ABs should clear the infection but you will need to get rid of your excess milk somehow whether this is via baby or expressing. I'm no expert but when I get a plugged duct I clear it as soon as possible with a mixture of feeding, expressing with pump and then hand expressing in the bath whilst massaging the lump. If your problems stem from baby not removing enough milk (which is sounds like it does) then this should eventually clear it and if you use the electric pump you can save milk to feed to your ds if you want / your nipples need a break!!

If you have a white blob on your nipple then this is slightly different as this is a specific blockage (I.e. Dried milk or skin) which needs to be removed in order to clear the blockage. I can sometimes do this with my (clean) nails or sometimes have to enlist the help of Dh!!!

Hope this helps.

Original poster

SellyMevs · 26/09/2014 13:51

Hi fionn,

Antibiotics were started because my stitches have opened up and became infected. Just another problem to add in this week!

I'm expressing whenever I get a chance but I'm not getting much out! Normally I'd get 50 - 100ml in a 15 mins sitting... today I've not managed 10ml altogether! We've managed to clear the left. It's still sore but I can't feel any lumps.

Will keep persevering. I just feel deflated.. We've only really been hanging on in with BF and I was hoping the TT division would be the turnaround point. I didn't expect it to happen overnight.. but then I didn't expect to get mastitis after I stopped using shields! Thanks for your help.. We will keep going

OP posts:

Original poster

SellyMevs · 26/09/2014 13:51

PS. No white blob! Just a massive hard lump!

OP posts:

stargirl1701 · 26/09/2014 14:39

See someone today please. You need Flucloxicillan, I think, for mastitis. That lump could become an abscess so I would advise treatment urgently. Could you access a hospital pump? Is there a midwife unit nearby who might have one? They are significantly more powerful.

Please call your GP right now.

Original poster

SellyMevs · 26/09/2014 15:56

I've got a GP appointment in half an hour. Is it possible that it's slowing down my milk quite significantly? DS is really hungry today and I keep encouraging the right but it's not satisfying him and when I put him on the left he is going for it like crazy! Will check about hospital pumps. I've got a medela swing which I've been using but it's not getting as much as it normally would out.

OP posts:

stargirl1701 · 26/09/2014 16:07

Yes, your supply may dip. Mine certainly does when I have blocked ducts. DD2 prefers it as I have forceful letdown and oversupply!

stargirl1701 · 26/09/2014 16:40

How did you get on with the GP, OP?

Original poster

SellyMevs · 26/09/2014 16:53

I've been given some different antibiotics. He said to keep going as I am to try and clear it. It wouldn't be so bad but both my nipples are raw from trying to get him to latch properly yesterday and the more hungry he gets the more he chomps on them! I hope my supply doesn't drop too much because he's been struggling to gain weight this last week (dropped to the 9th centile) and I know if he drops further they will tell me to increase the formula top ups.. and to think the antenatal classes made breastfeeding sound so easy!

OP posts:

stargirl1701 · 26/09/2014 17:39

Been there with DD1!

Have you tried hydrogel pads? Multi-mam compresses? Both are soothing when stored in the fridge. Lansinoh just doesn't work with shredded nipples. I found breast shells good too. They stopped my clothes from chafing.

I used an SNS with DD1 to reduce the time spent feeding. It was a faff to learn but worth to avoid the bf followed by ff feeding marathon! I hired a hospital grade pump from the NCT to express.

fionnthedog · 26/09/2014 18:37

Hey. Glad you got to the GP. It is grim but it should get better with the ABs and just keep on getting as much milk out as you can. I also have a medela swing and found the same as you which is why I usually have to hand express afterwards and be prepared for it to be painful.

Remember also that using some formula is not failure. You have already done so well in getting to this point.

Original poster

SellyMevs · 26/09/2014 18:54

I was going to pick up some pads tomorrow. Today I've just switched between cold flannels and nappies filled with hot water! What's an SNS?

OP posts:

stargirl1701 · 26/09/2014 19:07

Supplemental Nursing System. I used the Medela one. I got it from Amazon.

Original poster

SellyMevs · 26/09/2014 20:02

Will look into it! It may help long term in getting him off the formula.

Do you have any suggestions in how often I should be feeding/expressing? I'm feeding on demand, which is quite frequent during the day. But do I need to be expressing in between and for how long?

I've never been great at hand expressing. . Any tips to make it easier? The lump is right above my areola and it goes up my chest and round into my arm pit. Hopefully it'll be easier now DH is home for the weekend to help out

OP posts:

stargirl1701 · 26/09/2014 20:14

To get rid of blocked ducts, I didn't go longer than 2 hours between a feed or a pumping session. I had good success in the bath with immersing a breast under very hot water and hand expressing. I could get the clog to poke out of my nipple. I then attached DD2 and she pulled it out. My pump (Medela Freestyle) was not strong enough.

I had infective mastitis with DD1 and ended up in hospital with blood poisoning from that. I used the hospital pump (Medela Symphony) to pull out the clogs. It was brilliant. But, it costs £1000 to buy! My milk was green and came out in long strings like spaghetti!

stargirl1701 · 26/09/2014 20:16

Have you tried You Tube for videos of how to hand express? I would also recommend phoning a bf helpline. I find the LLL one excellent.

www.laleche.org.uk/content/telephone-helpline

stargirl1701 · 26/09/2014 20:19

I also use the Lansinoh Thera-Pearls when pumping.

mob.lansinoh.co.uk/products/care/therapearl

Original poster

SellyMevs · 26/09/2014 20:22

I don't go longer than 2 hours in the day normally anyway. With the TT he fed a little and often and hasn't improved that yet. At night we get one 4 hour stint.

Will try the bath again tonight. I got a little out last night but definitely no stringy bits! Today I've not even been able to get a dribble.

It's hard trying to remember to include the left boob as well! Sounds like you've had a rough time with mastitis before Star. The things we go through for these babies.

OP posts:

Original poster

SellyMevs · 26/09/2014 20:24

X post! I looked at the thera pearls before so will check it out. I've used a hot water bottle when expressing today. Will give someone a ring too. GP wasn't great with advice on how to clear it.

OP posts:

stargirl1701 · 26/09/2014 20:31

It seems crazy to wake a sleeping baby but all last week DD2 (5 weeks) was poked awake. Help me, baby!

mrsmugoo · 26/09/2014 20:32

Just to say - please take probiotics if you're on ABs!

I've had mastitis 3 times now but refused the ABs after the first time because the thrush I got after was 1000x more painful than the mastitis!

DayLillie · 26/09/2014 20:32

I used to get mastitis and blocked ducts a lot. I just kept on feeding - did not do any extra expressing and found massage didn't help.

I used to lie sideways in a nice warm bath with the affected breast under water so that it floated - it seemed to be the only thing to take the pain away when I had my worst mastitis. The antibiotics helped. That last time, they took about 2 days, then the duct unblocked in the middle of the night, sprayed everywhere and soaked the bedding - it was bliss

stargirl1701 · 26/09/2014 20:32

I saw a GP last Friday for ABs who said I don't know anything about bf so you tell me what to do!

DayLillie · 26/09/2014 20:34

My local NCT group used to rent out a hospital-type pump. I used them in SCBU and they are absolutely nothing like the home ones - much easier than feeding a baby!

barnet · 26/09/2014 20:46

Try feeding the baby so that his body is in the direction of the blocked duct. Their suck is alot stronger on their lower jaw. For example if the blocked part is the top left of the breast, lie down on your side, with baby on his side UPSIDE DOWN. I.e his legs are up near your head, and his lower jaw is sucking from the blocked upper section.

TiredandGrumpy2014 · 26/09/2014 21:03

You have my sympathy- I've had blocked ducts and mastitis lots and I know the bruised feeling well! I used to have days when I felt I could hardly move my arms as my boobs hurt so much!

Sounds like you're doing the right things- in all the many times I've had this I've never been able to get a drop out by either hand expressing or with a pump. I think the stress must affect my let down as ive had horrible hard boobs full of milk and not a drop will come out except for by feeding directly!

I also find that it can take a good few days for the lump to disappear and a few more til the soreness goes- so keep massaging, feeding and try not to panic too much.

Also although I had some fairly horrible times with it, I am still feeding twice a day at 11 months and (touch wood) breastfeeding is now the easiest it's ever been so hope that reassures you that thingd can still get better.

Hope you feel better soon

Flip

1 2