Blocked duct - what next?

[ilovetosleep]

I've had a blocked duct for about 5 days now and have tried everything. It started last week after a long stretch of sleep followed by sleeping. baby's head resting heavily on the affected area for an hour so so. Within a couple of hours I had the red, hot wedge shaped area above my nipple. I did all the usual things - hot massage in shower, feeding lots and in all positions, massage/compressions while feeding, hot compress before feed, cabbage leaf... anyway within 24 hours the redness, heat and pain had gone away. Ever since then I've had a wedge shaped lump in the same place. I'm still doing lots of massage and feeding lots but it just isn't going. It doesn't hurt at all, but I have a background awareness of the area all the time, although am not sure if that is in my head. Is it still blocked? It could it be residual swelling? I have done a bit of hand expressing and plenty of milk coming out.

I'm a bit concerned that it is still here after 5 days. Should I visit the GP? What can they even do?

Thanks in advamce

The only that had sufficient suction power when I had this was husband suction. It really needed that kind of strength. The relief was immense. It was a bonding experience.

Have you taken ibuprofen. It's safe when breastfeeding, but should be taken with food.

I get blocked ducts more often than I like and it takes a few days to go down.

Husband said he would only suck if I was in agony

I don't think I can bear to have DH do it! Not sure he could latch properly anyway?!

I took one dose of ibuprofen when the pain was intense but not since. That wouldn't help a blockage though, just the swelling?

I always found it felt like there was a blockage afterwards for maybe a day due to swelling. Have you tried dangle
feeding? Gravity helps. Also a wide toothed comb can help with the massage - massage in a hot bath?

Have NCed for this as it's, well, a bit embarrassing - but do you have a small bullet vibrator? I found it excellent for getting into stubborn blocked ducts

Also I found ice packs much more effective than heat - have you tried that? 2x 20mins of ice on it before a feeding session should sort it out. I had a duct that was literally half one boob that disappeared with that

I've tried dangle feeding but not for a day or two - will try again tomorrow. Have done hot bath/shower massage but not a wide tooth comb (ouch!) and not tried ice either. Have heard of using an electric toothbrush, I guess a vibrator is no different!

What happens if I can't unblock it?

So no medical training at all, but my personal theory with my boobs is that if one has swollen, it could block the duct, so that's why I take ibuprofen. Re-reading your post, I've seen it's been 5 days! That seems like a long time. Perhaps book an appointment for Thursday and try ibuprofen tonight and tomorrow and see if it goes down? You can always cancel if it does.

I've often wondered about using a vibrator, but never tried. Good to know it works!

I've never been brave enough to try ice, but I have heard it works.

The area feels a lot softer today but still a little inflamed. Fingers crossed we're heading in the right direction...

You don't have to answer if it's tmi, but how are you this evening?

If the duct is still blocked try feeding from different positions if you haven't done already, so rugby ball hold, upside etc. Think you're supposed to line up the baby's bottom jaw with the red area but I just tried everything.

Well it's still lumpy.... no pain at all, no heat or redness... just a big lump. It had pretty much gone first thing this morning but it seems very hard again, quite deep in the breast. Think I will go to the GP...

I've heard that lecithin supplements are supposed to help.....but not actually tried this myself.

I think I've had similar. I dosed myself on ibuprofen expressed / fed frequently whilst massaging. It sounds like there's a deep duct that's filling up and not being fully emptied.

Good luck at the GPs.