Painful breast - blocked duct?

[PippaPeppermint]

I have an extremely painful answer lumpy breast which I'm guessing is a blocked duct. I'm terrified that it will develop into mastitis and I'm already feeling shivery. I've had blocked ducts before and have always managed to hand express and feed them away. That doesn't seem to be working this time, though. I'm not managing to get any milk out with hand expressing and i'm just making myself sore. Ds is 18 months so feeds a bit but not enough. Plus he has a clear preference for the other side.

Do any of you have any suggestions? It's so painful.

Call your dr and ask to be seen today if you have started to run a temperature-/ feel unwell (eg headaches and flu). explain that you think it might be mastitis. They should see you ASAP. Don't be terrified tho- the earlier you treat it, the better if it is mastitis. In the mean time paracetamol and hot compresses/run the shower head on your boob plus getting baby to feed if you possibly can may help. Feel better soon!

Thanks Hairy. I managed to express some during the day so I've started to have a bit of relief. It was just so frustrating last night and this morning when I couldn't express any out. And I can't just sit feeding ds now that he's older. I didn't expect to get to 18 months and suffer from a blocked duct!

heated breast pads in my bra before feeds helped me, you can buy them on amazon and in boots i think, also expressing in warm shower or bath.