Milk bleb misery

[NimbleSloth]

I've had a milk bleb for over 3 weeks and I cannot get rid of it. I've tried every remedy dr Google can give. Epsom salts, ice, ACV, massage, heat, needles, scratching the top off, ibuprofen, frequent and dangle feeding. You name it, I've been doing it. I've even tried doing nothing for a few days. I know that it's caused by a poor latch that is a work in progrss but I feel hindered by the pain of.it being touched when she feeds, regardless of how well she latches.

At a recent GP appt I asked about something to help since it's so persistent, but was told that there is nothing they can do!?! Is this right? Has anyone else had treatment for one from a doctor?

There isn't a blocked duct behind it as milk can flow through if I take the top off and I think that's the issue by thr GP. That they won't act unless it's a blocked duct or infected. But it makes any feeding from that side incredibly painful and stressful.

Please help!

Sounds a bit bothersome. Have you been to a BFing Support Group or called one of the BFing Helplines?

In my experience GPs know fuck all very little about BFing

And I don't know if you've read this article from Kellymom already?

Yes, I've been to a couple of groups and a consultant. I have improved the latch but it's a bit of a battle as she constantly pops on and off. It's so sore 🥲

A lactation consultant said its caused the friction of her latch and that it will only resolve once that's better. Reallt hoping as she grows it'll get easier. She's nearly 7 weeks now and apart from this I actually quite enjoy BF. She latches and feeds perfectly on the other side with no pain.

I've decided to just give that side a break for a few days and only express until it's healed enough to try again.🤞

Would a nipple shield help? I was able to bf my two for nearly three years in total - but honestly, only thanks to shields.

Hydrocortisone 1% cream clears it up instantly for me. You just wipe it off before feeding. So I apply it immediately after a feed to keep it on as long as possible.

I've got some and she wasn't a fan, but maybe I'll break them back out and try again!

I'll try this! Thank you!

I have suffered milk blebs followed by blocked ducts for the best part of 2 months. I have had them in 1 or both breasts almost every day now for 2 months. Firstly, it is not always caused by a bad latch, my issue is oversupply which inflames the milk ducts and the bleb is debris from deeper inside the breast - babies latch can sometimes be ineffective at emptying the breast removing the milk stasis.

I have tried everything under the sun, but let me tell you something that has worked quickly the last 3 times I've had a bleb in recent days.

Step 1 ibuprofen when I spot the bleb,
Step 2 apply sunflower oil to nipple (small amount). Gently roll over the nipple - remove before feeding baby - do this between feeds.
Step 3 Then before you feed from that side, submerge the nipple in warm water dangle if possible (and some of the areola but not the breast as we dont want to aggravate the inflammation but we want to draw out the bleb) (hot water but not painful ok be sensible with the temperature) and massage the bleb/nipple gently with tips of fingers in the water for around 5 mins (very gently this shouldnt be painful, we are not popping or removing just trying to draw it out). No salt this drys out the skin.
Step 4 Then latch baby as deeply as you can perhaps try the flipple and the bleb should then be removed in the feed. You should then feel the breast start to soften.

I have had so many blebs and blockages this is the only thing that has worked for me, a health visitor suggested it and I was stunned it worked, all the hours of misery I'd suffered previously. Sometimes it can take a couple of attempts depending on how early you tackle it.

Also try laid back feeding, it will slow your flow and baby may tollerste staying on longer this has helped me a bit and baby pops off less. Not a cure but can help a bit as baby can empty more of the breasts.

Good luck

Are you doing moist wound healing rather than letting it dry out?

Thanks for this, I'll definitely give it a try to see if I can remove it fully by doing this.

The hydrocortisone cream actually helped loads to bring down the surface inflammation and allow comfortable feeding, although i do still have a bleb. So a huge thank you to @LetsNCagain

I swear by silver cups. All of my nipple pain, blebs, cracking, etc. healed like magic using them. Mine were just Amazon ones.

https://amzn.eu/d/fzB2jjK

I've had a bleb before and it was so painful. Hope you get it sorted ASAP. Just to recommend lecithin supplements to prevent blocked ducts as I think my experience of blebs went hand in hand with the blocked ducts and I felt on the verge of mastitis. Also, the multi mam compresses are the only things that felt soothing to me. Good luau xx

*luck