help! yet another blocked. I am so upset

[frogmarsh]

DD is 7 weeks old and breast feeding has been a battle for me from the start. Have had two bouts of thrush and two of mastitus, terrible nipple trauma and a bad latch. But in the last 2 weeks it has all improved massively and i was actually starting to enjoy it. But today my right breast was painful and when i felt it there was a golf ball sized hard lump, feel desparately upset and demoralised. Why can't i get it right? I think i must be the worst breast feeder in the world and am letting down my lovely little girl.

Since finding the lump i have been feeding her almost constantly to try and shift it but no joy, have taken paracetemol and ibuprofen, had a bath and massaged the breast (so much that it now feels really tender). In the last 7 weeks have been going to local breastfeeding support and had lots of different councillors check my latch, which is now fine. What else can i do?

Sorry for the whinge

Gutted

Obviously that should read; yet another blocked duct

sounds like you might have galactole (sorry re spelling) its a build up of milk caused by blocked duct - keep doing what you're doing but may need to see doc

and you're not worst feeder in world - I had same problem and consultant said it was just random bad luck aused by flow. Sounds like you're doing a fab job given all you've faced (I gave up in similar circs)

Oh I feel for you - blocked ducts are downright evil

You might find this thread handy - it had a LOT of suggestions in it on how to clear blocked ducts, and some on how to prevent them as well.

And you're not the worst feeder in the world - you're an amazing feeder for keeping going even when things aren't going smoothly. You're doing your lovely little girl proud!

Hope you are feeling better today!

Thanks for your advice. After a LOT of massage in the bath and lots more feeding, it is finally feeling a bit softer, there is still a general firmness in the area but i am hoping if i carry on as i am it will continue to improve.

Am also a feeling a lot more positive - it's amazing how much it can affect your state of mind as well as physically.

Lots of feeding is definitely the way to go but to add even more oomph to your daughter's suck, you can 'gravity feed' ie lie her on the bed and lean over her to feed - doing that has cleared any lumps I've had quicker than massaging in shower etc. Mind you, it's not very dignified!

Bra? Maybe spend some time bra-free. I hardly wear one and haven't had duct/mastitis type issues. Read it in a book I can't remember the name of while pg.

xx

no bra thing defo helped me

This sounds horribly familiar; presumably one of the BF counsellors has checked for tongue-tie? DD's wasn't identified until she was 9wks as she was gaining weight fine, but I had very frequent blocked ducts, regular bouts of mastitis and lots of pain until she had the tongue-tie division done at 12wks.