Blocked duct and drop in supply

[Keggles36]

Hello

Little one is 4.5 months and breastfeeds except a bottle before bed.

I've had a painful blocked duct for two days now, am regularly icing and taking ibuprofen. Baby has started really fuss at that breast and isn't really feeding from it - so I tried to pump to clear the duct and only got 15mls.

When i used to pump regularlyI would get 50-100mls per side, so am alarmed by this - is my milk supply dead, or is it because of the blocked duct.

Any reassurance, or ways to clear the duct, welcome!

Milk supply takes ages to dry up, so it won’t be that.

Have you tried massaging it in a warm shower?

If baby will feed from it then dangle your boob over him so let down and gravity are both helping to clear the duct. Good luck. Blocked duct is painful isn't it

Try to get baby to feed on it. My baby developed a preference for my right boob around that age. Only way I could get him to latch on my left was middle of night, first thing in the morning, or after feeding on my right for a bit so he would be hungry but not starving.

Be religious about the ice packs and ibuprofen. Stay away from hot showers and vigorous massage as inflammation will make it worse.

This person is right. Dangle feeding feels ridiculous but is very effective. Good luck!

@FlakeyLurker @Justanothergeneric oh my goodness the dangling worked so well thank you!!!

Still a bit worried about why so little came off when I pumped earlier 🤷🏼‍♀️ but hoping it was just because it was blocked/i was stressed as it hurt! She seems happy at that breast again now with encouragement.

@123EndOfRope67 she's definitely happier at right breast and has started latching badly on the left!

Brilliant. Take care with positioning at the breast 😊