Can you see a blocked duct?

[Anglepoise]

Had v sore boob through the night and this morning. Nipple has a white spot on it - first time I squeezed it some milk came out of spot but since then have been massaging in shower and only comes out of other ducts. Could this be blocked duct or more like thrush or something?

Also used Lansinoh first time in months last night - coincidence or could be link?

Sorry for terseness - NAK!

Doesn't sound like it to me. I had a blocked duct last time I bf, it was a hard, hot patch in the breast, cleared by getting baby to feed at a different angle to normal and by using warm compresses/massage.

I'm not sure what you;ve got there, but it doesn't sound serious to me. Any pain/discomfort?

It sounds like a blocked duct - no idea why it should have been the Lansinoh but ???

I read somewhere that you should prick the white spot with a sterile needle, er no thanks!! Just feed more from that side and it should clear hopefully.

CK yeah, my boob is really sore and tender - okay as long as I don't press it but making it very hard to carry DD around this morning.

Ali think I'll steer clear of sticking needles in it! Fed from that side all night and DD was helping me clear it when I typed the OP Off to bfing group now so will ask the counsellor - just thought I'd run it past MN too

I wonder if thats a milk blister
www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mom/nipplebleb.html

Thanks Ditsy - it does look very like that photo so perhaps that's it.

Bfing counsellor (NHS) was pretty rubbish, though did at least apologise for being so crap! She said she'd never seen a blocked duct so couldn't advise whether it was one or not (only reason I bothered to mention it was because I felt someone ought to see it in person). She gave me the number of someone else to call but tbh, between kellymom, MN and the other ladies at the group (who advised feeding in lots of different positions) I think I may be better off than bothering the NHS!

Almost certain now that this is a milk blister - forgot to say before that I do suffer from oversupply, so that would make sense.

Just stuck a warm wet (with water!) disposable nappy over it for 15 min then gave a good squeeze and torrents and torrents of milk came out, making DH feel a bit queasy (haven't had any strings yet, reckon that might tip him over the edge ) and my poor booby feel a lot better

Just have to stop it getting bad again/heal now ... Any advice from anyone?

Sorry to say but I've been rather prone to these. I could never really put my finger on why they started, but my major advice is to ensure that you get onto them as soon as they appear because I've ended up with mastitis after a milk blister which I couldn't clear.

You can get supplements (lecithin) which supposedly help to prevent blocked ducts and I used these to good effect. Speak to an expert BFC before you dole out the dosh though!

Some good advice I also got from NCT helpline was to try cooling the breast before feeding to take down inflammation. Also to let baby clear the blockage, as they are far more effective than expressing.

Baby now 10 months and it's probably 4 months since any problems, so fingers crossed!

HTH