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Infant feeding

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

Original poster

Blocked duct - 1 week in

28 replies

Bleubird · 06/08/2021 08:37

Hi, I'm getting a bit desperate and hoping for some help. I've had a large blockage in my right boob for 1 week now. I have tried absolutely everything to clear it, massage, heat packs, cold packs, Epsom salts in a haakkaa, dangle feeding, changing feeding position...I even asked my husband to try and suck it out and nothing!

The blockage is about the size of a lemon milk is still passing but a lot less than usual. Is there anything else I can do? I'm really at a loss.

Xx

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Cattaxi · 06/08/2021 08:44

I had one for months. Not that big, but really annoying. It finally cleared when I massaged with an electric toothbrush, then had a really hot shower and (after turning down the heat) got the baby in with me and he sucked it out. Fun times!

A bath might work too.

Yours sounds quite big. Do keep an eye out for any sign of infection and immediately see a gp if needed.

If you don’t have an electric toothbrush, I read that vibrators do the same 🤣

Pinkflipflop85 · 06/08/2021 08:44

Have you checked your nipple for any blebs?

thewinehasgonetomyhead · 06/08/2021 08:49

Do you have a vibrator or one of those massage vibrators? I used to use a vibrator and it worked. Yours does sound quite big though so keep an eye on it.

ShowOfHands · 06/08/2021 08:53

I got a lot of blocked ducts when feeding my first, particularly when I ovulated and they were so hard to clear. The only way I could do it was to hand express/massage but well beyond the point of comfort. I used to cry whilst doing it but I had to literally bruise myself to apply enough pressure to clear the blockage. If I didn't do it, I developed mastitis. It was miserable.

ShowOfHands · 06/08/2021 08:54

That isn't advice BTW! I don't recommend you hurt yourself. I think I was having a flashback out loud and sympathising with the misery of blocked ducts.

PineappleWilson · 06/08/2021 08:56

How is baby latching? My youngest had an undiagnosed tongue tie, which meant she couldn't latch properly, which caused blockages for me. Might be worth checking baby's position and latch with a BF volunteer or BFing HV.

Original poster
Bleubird · 06/08/2021 09:07

@Cattaxi

I had one for months. Not that big, but really annoying. It finally cleared when I massaged with an electric toothbrush, then had a really hot shower and (after turning down the heat) got the baby in with me and he sucked it out. Fun times!

A bath might work too.

Yours sounds quite big. Do keep an eye out for any sign of infection and immediately see a gp if needed.

If you don’t have an electric toothbrush, I read that vibrators do the same 🤣

Months Shock that must have been so uncomfortable. I can hardly lift my arm because of this one so I've called the Gp today to see if there's anything I can do. No signs of mastitis yet so I'm hoping I can avoid antibiotics.

I've tried the electric toothbrush but I'm never sure I'm doing it right, how did you massage it? Xx

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Original poster
Bleubird · 06/08/2021 09:08

@Pinkflipflop85 I think I did have a bleb on the nipple that I've tried to unblock and I think successfully now but I still think there may be another deeper in my nipple, no clue how I'd get to it... any tips? X

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Original poster
Bleubird · 06/08/2021 09:09

@thewinehasgonetomyhead I have tried this but I think I'm going to give it another go now! Fingers crossed.

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Original poster
Bleubird · 06/08/2021 09:11

@ShowOfHands I feel your pain! My poor right boob is so tender now I've massaged it so much. I think I need a day of taking it easy on it but I'm worried if I do it will turn to mastitis so I can't win! I've arranged to see the gp so hoping they can help. X

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Original poster
Bleubird · 06/08/2021 09:12

@PineappleWilson he's always latched quite well, we have no issues on the left side but lately his latch on my right side has been quite painful. I've just emailed my Hv to ask to be referred to a lactation consultant. Hopefully I can avoid any future blockages! X

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chergar · 06/08/2021 20:41

Do you have a breast pump? Try using that while applying heat to the area and massaging towards the nipple, maybe try in the dangle position as well.

I feel your pain, unfortunately I had to get mine removed by syringe at hospital, was like extra thick double cream that was removed Envy

Original poster
Bleubird · 07/08/2021 12:25

@chergar how long did you have it before it was removed? I'm now on antibiotics because it started to look quite red but still need to try and clear the blockage

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chergar · 07/08/2021 12:43

[quote Bleubird]@chergar how long did you have it before it was removed? I'm now on antibiotics because it started to look quite red but still need to try and clear the blockage [/quote]
I had it a while, maybe 6 weeks, antibiotics helped with the pain and stopped the infection but the lump remained until it was removed

FreeBritnee · 07/08/2021 12:45

I can remember hanging myself upside down from the side of the bed and getting DC1 to feed right side up, so their nose was pressed against the underside of my boob. That cleared it!

Cattaxi · 07/08/2021 18:37

How are you today?

Mine was a bleb that led to blockages on and off for ages. I was so close to stopping feeding, but now it’s cleared we are fine. Baby is almost 2, so not a baby now really.

I used the electric toothbrush and massaged towards the nipple. It felt quite good to press it hard (oh err missus!)

Heat and skin to skin before putting baby to the breast was the game changer for me. The pump never quite got enough.

Starjammer · 07/08/2021 18:44

Soya lecithin. I swore by it with Dd. I got horrendous blockages until I started taking it.

www.healthline.com/health/parenting/lecithin-breast-feeding#What-Are-Plugged-Ducts?

stargirl1701 · 07/08/2021 19:20

Have you tried expressing under hot water in the bath?

Soya or sunflower lecithin supplements really helped me with recurrent blocked ducts.

Original poster
Bleubird · 07/08/2021 21:41

@Cattaxi thanks for asking! Still not great lump is just absolutely huge and shows no signs of clearing. I'm now on antibiotics as it started to get quite red and hot too touch so definitely some sort of infection starting. I've just got to keep on with the massage and everything else and hope for the best. If no better by Monday I'll see if I can get a face to face appointment with the gp.

I'll keep up the skin to skin and heating before feeds. Fingers crossed it clears soon. I actually can't wait for the feeling of satisfaction when it finally drains!

Xx

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Aroundtheworldin80moves · 07/08/2021 21:47

Hot water bottle on the breast while feeding (careful not to let the bottle touch the baby!) And massage towards the nipple while feeding.

Good luck.

Cattaxi · 07/08/2021 21:51

Good luck. Feed, feed, feed xx

Wanderlust20 · 08/08/2021 19:48

Vibrator!!! Absolute life saver, hot bath and a massage with an egg shaped one does the trick for me every single time. Has gotten out some really massive lumps.

Wanderlust20 · 08/08/2021 19:52

Sorry, just noticed you said you'd tried this! Are you massaging towards the nipple? Vibrator and dangle feed always worked for me but not sure if the dangle feed was necessary, worth a shot?!

Suite88 · 10/08/2021 13:22

I had exactly the same experience 2 weeks ago. My blockage was the size of an orange before I managed to shift it. I found it really stressful so I hope you are doing ok.

What worked for me was taking antibiotics and ibuprofen. I've also started soy lecithin (three capsules a day). For the lump I had two hot showers each day, I put the shower on high pressure and directed it at the lump whilst hand expressing and massaging the lump towards the nipple.

I was told to hand express as apparently the pump favours the free flowing ducts but you can be more targeted with hand expressing.

I also kept a hot water bottle on the lump as much as I could.

The lump went from orange to lime size and then stayed grape size for a few days before it went.

It turns out my little ones tongue tie has reattached so he can't drain the milk properly.

Original poster
Bleubird · 11/08/2021 21:27

Hi everyone, I thought I'd come back and update. So yesterday I was admitted to hospital as my temperature and infection markers in my bloods were sky high. It turned out the lump had turned to a breast abscess. I was kept in and put on an iv of antibiotics and today had an ultrasound to confirm the abscess and get it aspirated they managed to take about 500mls of thick fluid from the abscess so feeling a lot less swollen now! I had another antibiotic iv and have been sent home on more antibiotics to help clear the infection. Back in Tuesday for a review but hoping it is all almost over now!

Thank you for all of your help and support xx

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