Getting rid of a blocked duct - best massage technique and how long should it take?

9 replies

naturelover · 15/10/2008 14:29

Just got my first blocked duct, have been applying heat and massaging, including during feeding. Is there a "correct" way to massage it out? Two days now and it's not shifting yet.

Thanks in advance!

OP posts:

PortAndDemon · 15/10/2008 14:33

I have tended to

have hot shower and massage blocked area towards nipple
get out of shower, feed DC on that side (with massage)
have another hot shower
feed DC again

and keep this up on a two-hourly (or so) cycle until it shifts (has generally taken two or three showers' worth)

Applying hot compresses never seemed to work as well as the shower.

I have heard of "combing" to shift a blocked duct but have never tried it.

wotnopulling · 15/10/2008 14:39

echo all portanddemon says. i do hot bath rather than shower and when you feed if you try to lean over baby so boob 'dangles' a bit so you get good access to massage.

worked for me twice BUT i have mastitis now and i went to docs when i couldn't shift it in 24 hours as you need to act quick. if you start to feel flu-y or get red patches on boob go see gp as mastitis can be v nasty (i speak from bitter experience).

good luck.

Original poster

naturelover · 15/10/2008 15:36

Thanks very much for the tips.
I've already had the pain for about 4 days and no fever so far, but will work harder at trying to shift it because mastitis sounds horrible.

OP posts:

BagsUnderMyEyes · 15/10/2008 16:02

Take ibuprofen as often as you can. It works a treat for me.

BagsUnderMyEyes · 15/10/2008 16:02

Take ibuprofen as often as you can. It works a treat for me.

Bucharest · 15/10/2008 16:08

Can you see the white tip of the duct on your nipple? If you can and can bear it- then a sterilised needle poked in will clear it straightaway. (I did that with mine- literally felt the boob deflating) (got the advice from Dr Sears website btw- didn't invent it to be masochistic or anything!)xx

BananaSkin · 15/10/2008 16:14

Ewwww - lancing your own ducts. That sounds hideously painful, but glad it worked.

Last time, I just kept feeding and feeding. It always pains me to think of poor innocent little babies happily sucking out yucky milk that has been sitting around in a blocked duct, but it seems not to do any harm to them.

poppy34 · 15/10/2008 19:39

combing only seemed to make my skin as rough as a badgers arse

Puppster · 15/10/2008 19:43

I combed whilst feeding and in shower, but using my knuckles - middle ones on fingers iyswim, in a sort of rolling motion. Took 3-4 days to clear completely

Flip