Mastitis or plugged duct?

[Bex0888]

My right breast has had a hard lump for a few weeks but painless and very small…I got checked out at GP incase breast cancer and he wasn’t worried and said it was likely a plugged duct. Today the same breast is really sore (although not agony like I hear people describe with mastitis)..I also don’t feel Ill but it’s sore enough to not want a bra touching it.

I really don’t want antibiotics if I can avoid it ..if I don’t have fever etc is it more likely a plugged duct and need to feed and massage? Struggling to get time to massage and express as we’re all isolating as kids have covid!

Is baby feeding ok from that side? Are you feeding on demand? If at set times, try and do a bit of feeding on demand on that side as that should clear it. My baby refused left side for a while, and goodness that was painful, but didn't develop infection.

Warm flannel may also help.

Plugged duct can turn into mastitis. Keep an eye on it! If you have an electric toothbrush or… something else… then the vibrations are really good at breaking up the plugged . Try to dangle feed (lean over baby with boob dangling down) and yes to a hot flannel!

@espresso14 yep she seems to be feeding ok on that side and I’m feeding on demand..however she just started doing 5 hour stints at night so I wonder if it’s from the change / engorgement. I’ve been expressing and got 4oz from one breast after she had fed!

Had some relief with essentially milking myself leaned forward in the hot shower ..felt very cow-like! But still feels lumpy and sore after the head subsides..

@Snooptheboot thanks I’ll try the dangle feed or ‘something else!’ 😂

I had a blocked duct and couldn’t clear it by feeding or a hot flannel. After about 12 hours of a third of my breast being a painful lump, I had a hot shower and managed to release it. The resulting fountain was quite spectacular….

Hope you get it clear soon - my sympathies!