Help. Nipple problem worse. Now also have blocked ducts and a constantly feeding 4 day old!

[suiledonn]

I posted earlier about my sore nipple. It is now agonising to latch dd on. To make matters worse I now have blocked ducts on that breast that I haven't been able to unblock with shower/pump/feeding. DD is 4 days old and has been wanting to feeding constantly since 5pm today. Help
How will I unblock the ducts? Will I have enough milk just to feed her from one side through the night?
Also she is still bringing up some of the last feed while looking for the breast again. Is this normal. My dd1 was a very sleepy baby at this stage and would barely feed without been woken so I feel like a novice.
Thanks

Baby fed every hour all night. Didn't get a chance to give the sore breast a break. Some ducts still blocked. HELP!!!!!!!!

As you've got a sore nipple and blocked ducts, I would guess your lo's latch needs adjusting.

For the blocked duct, have you tried massaging it out? Make your hand into a fist and roll it down the breast (using quite a lot of pressure) from the very top of your breast tissue down to the nipple. Support your breast with your other hand, and also it can be less uncomfortable in the shower.

I would suggest you speak to a mw or bfc asap, and in the meantime feed your lo from that breast, and at each feed change their position (ie from tummy to tummy to rugby ball hold).

Oh, and repeat to yourself 'this is a blip and it will get better.'

Good luck

Poor you.
I didnt have this problem but it might be worth trying to hand express a little to ease the blocked ducts, this might be more comfortable than feeding/pumping (which I don't really recommend early on if you are struggling).
Try having a warm bath, put warm flannels on your boobs and then try gently hand expressing while you are in there.
I did this when my milk came in and booobs were rock hard and it really helped.

And yes pretty much constant feeding is very normal at this tiny age.

Anything on this page?
www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mom/bfhelp-mother.html#sorenipples

Here maybe?
www.kellymom.com/newman/03a-sore_nipples.html

Oh no that sounds grim.. i had blocked ducts a lot and did all the massaging but also took ibuprofen which reduces swelling. i wouldn't normally take painkillers while bf but anything you can do to stop it turning into mastitis is worth it.

With blocked ductcs do the massaging thing while you're feeding - takes a bit of practice with cushions/pillows to propr baby up sometimes but if you can massage towards the nipple while feeding it unblocks them quicker. Also doing this after a hot shower is easier, or even just putting warm flannels on your breast for a bit before you feed.

Day 4 is so early, these are just teething troubles and they will pass and be a dim memory before you know it

Best of luck. Thinking of you and remembering how tricky it can be starting bfing. It will get easier.

Dooooo get advice on your latch, as it shouldn't be agony. It might only need a slight adjustment to get her latched on painlessly and therefore to get the milk flowing better.

Agree that warm flannels and massage on your breasts will be soothing. Also I had to express for some days whilst ds1 learned how to latch on. It will also help to maintain your supply, if your dd isn't feeding efficiently yet.

Best of luck.

It's a while since I was in this situation and mine did develop into mastitis. Had bleeding nipples and rock like breasts - but my MW suggested putting cabbage leaves inside my bra ... sounds daft but it really worked - don't know how or why but a single leaf of ordinary white cabbage worked wonders at releasing the milk. good luck

Seconding the cabbage leaves here. Savoy is supposed to be the best, but any cabbage is good.

If it does start to develop into mastitis - sharp little pains in breast, and fluey feeling for you - take ibuprofen (I was advised that it is safe for breastfeeding, only not if pregnant) which reduces the inflammation on the ducts. Then feed from mad from that side, as the blocked milk can then get through easier and will sooth the inflamed milk ducts as it flows through.

Oh yes, fridge the cabbage first [bliss]

Maybe a daft question but are you certain it's blocked ducts?
At 4days post-partum I wouldn't have been able to tell as my milk had come in and I was solid or lumpy until it had settled down.
I would feed from one side until the sore side wasn't quite so agonising. You will still have to feed from the painful side now and then as the milk will build up and the pressure will need to be taken off. Just do whatever you are comfortable with.
Second the advice to use cabbage leaves to relieve engorgement.
If you do have a blocked duct line the baby's chin up with the lump and feed at that angle. That was the most effective way of unblocking for me.
Definitely speak with your m/w or bf counsellor.

Thats a good point juule. I was thinking today that maybe it is just engorgement. I jumped to the conclusion of blocked ducts because it felt similar to when I had them before. Am going to give the cabbage leaves a try.

Thanks for the advice everyone.