Why do I keep getting blocked ducts?

[BroccoliSpears]

One last week. One the week before. Two today.

DS is a good feeder, I am fairly confident I'm using each breast for long enough, I'm tired but not too run down. Tight bra maybe? But don't think so.

It's not ruining my life or anything, but I'd prefer not to keep getting them.

Could be a tight bra, or a bag or sling if you use one. Are they (the blocked ducts) always in the same place?

I got reccurent blockages which I think were due to sleeping on my side.

Are you feeding your ds using lots of different positions? Might be worth experimenting with positioning. I have seen myself on all fours hanging over ds on the bed to unblock blocked ducts! Also, feeding lying down, but with his feet at my head!

Hope you get it resolved because you don't want it escalating into mastitis.

No bag or regular sling. I tend to feed sitting or lying down (or answering the door or running after my 2-year-old or pushing the trolley round Tescos...)

The trouble with having one each side is deciding which to try and clear first.

Do you support your breasts when you are feeding? That can sometimes cause blockages. Does your ds's chin press into your breast when feeding?

Just thinking out loud with some other suggestions....

Not sure, don't think so. Will notice what I do over next couple of hours.

I appreciate the suggestions, thank you. I've been running through things myself, but hadn't thought of that.

Off to bed now. If anyone has any more thoughts I will check first thing tomorrow.

Do your bras have seams? Does DS try and hold on while feeding?

Hope you get it sorted.

I had few problems with DS but had loads of blocked ducts with DD. In the end I got new bras and it stopped. My bras weren't too tight AFAIK, but new ones seemed to eliminate the problem so I assume something about the position of a seam was bothering me. A wayward thumb when I'm supporting a boob can be a problem for me. And falling asleep on my fist doesn't help either.

Are you drinking enough? Some women find blocked ducts stop occurring when they drink more water (I've seen "at least 4pints/day" recommended if your BF)

Now that's a thought Tangle. No, probably not - I mean to, but it's hectic having a 2-year-old and a baby. Would also explain why I didn't have this problem first time round - plenty of time to remember to drink lots of water with 1st baby.

Will also maybe get a couple of new bras. Maybe some sleeping bras for night time?

Hi broccoli

I've just finished unblocking a duct (4th one this week) so I sympathise. It's all you need at the end of a long day having to try and prise a grain of sand sized crumb from your nipple. I thought after 6 months it'd be plain sailing. I've got probs with too much milk and not a very hungry baby but I found sleeping with a vest (no bra) helpful. Just get a couple of breast pads with sticky backs (boots and lansinoh do them) if you have leaky boobs. I'm sure it's my bras that are causing probs, I measure as a 36 DD but wear an E and they're still not right. My DD is also a fidget and likes feeding with one leg in the air or hitting me/her leg during feeds which can apparently also be a cause. Hope it gets sorted.

i had really awful recurrent blockages ds1, no probs at all ds2. for me it was wearing a bra at night that was the prob and carrying him too long in a front sling.... they're grim aren't they?