How do I know if blocked duct has cleared?

[Kmxxx14]

Yesterday I woke up with a sore lump in my right breast. It was red and sore to touch and move. I have had masitis 3 times which started with the red lump. So in hope of prevent mastitis I rested all day, massaged, warm bath, warm compress and fed DD as much as possible.

Today the lump is still there although less red and only sore when touched.

How do I know if it's unblocked? Will all pain/redness immediately disappear or does it go gradually and does the fact that I don't have masitis yet (usually I would have the symptoms within 24 hours) mean that it's unblocked?

I haven't had mastitis but have had blocked ducts fairly often. When I've managed to unblock them, it takes a couple of good feeds for my breast to feel completely soft and lump free. I have occasionally had a little pain continuing after the blockage has gone.

I think if there's still a lump I would continue to try and unblock it until it feels completely soft.

I would keep resting and massaging. When you feed DD, if possible, try to angle her bottom jaw towards the lump. This might require acrobatics like lying her on a bed and moving yourself around her so that she's facing the right way in relation.

Have a look at the 'Mastitis and BF Hell' thread currently running on the Infant Feeding board. A couple of us have posted on how we unblocked and how we knew it was unblocked.

Thanks I'm continuing with the warm compress & massage. I hope it unblocks soon!

Having a read on the BF hell thread - would the duct ever clear without the incredible relief the posters describe. I've spent the last couple hours expressing, massaging & looking at the nipple for a blockage but I can't see anything. My boob does feel softer & less painful but I didn't see the blockage in my nipple nor feel the sensation they describe. Does this mean the blockage hasn't fully been unblocked

Yes, I've had blocks clear without the dramatic finish described on the other thread. The fact that it's reduced is a good sign and should hopefully be clearing.

The massive spurt is the shizz, though

It still hasn't gone yet and is very painful. I can't feel one lump but the underside of my boob just feels very lumpy in general but no one specific lump. I thought I found a little tiny white spec of my nipple but after poking it & it bleeding I don't think it's the blocked duct as I can see them on the other nipple too. I've spent hours upon hours massaging & expressing to no avail. It's really getting me down.

Have you done the hot bath thing? Really, really firm hand expressing?

I was in a bath for over an hour last night massaging & combing with a comb then expressing with my hand and pump.

There seems to be more watery milk coming out than pure white milk but not sure if this is normal as I hardly ever express so not sure what it usually looks like.

I've been in the shower this morning & really firmly massaged and expressed. I can now feel two small pea sized lumps and I'm massaging them towards the nipple. I do get somerelief and then I think it might have cleared but an couple of hours later the pain returns.