Advice to minimise blockages?

[Minshu]

I've been getting repeated blockages in both breasts, but mostly the right. Although most clear within 36 hours with heat, massage and DD's help, I have suffered with one bout of mastitis. DD is now 11 weeks old and this has been getting worse over the last 4 weeks. BF is supposed to get easier, but I'm finding it worse as time goes on... [whinge, whinge, whinge]

It's getting serious as I'm concerned about DD's feeding when the blockages slow down the supply. The HVs will recommend formula top-ups if her weight gain doesn't improve by the time she is next weighed in the new year (I nearly cracked open the formula a few days ago, but things have picked up since then).

I've stopped lying down for night feeds in case that pressure is exacerbating the problem and am trying to work out which clothes I can wear to avoid restriction - is there anything else that is recommended to minimise the problem. DD can't always drain the breast in a feed, although I do encourage that. I've also heard lecithin is worth a try?

Hiya, which way do you hold her to feed? cradle / rugby etc... Rugby hold seems to help most babies to drain the boob better, Its a good one to use through the night too because you don't need to hold them I use 2 pillows next to me and one behind against the headboard. Lay babe on the cushions next to me, latch on and doze.

Personally I find things get gradually easier once the 11 weeks(ish) growth spurt is over, ds is 16 weeks and things have goten a lot easier lately. You are doing a fantastic job with the problems you have been dealing with stick with it!

I got repeated blocked ducts for a while, you have my sympathy. Sorry to say mine came (and went) for the 1st 6 months or so.

If I lay on my front that seemed to cause them and also when DS fell asleep on my chest.
Was never sure if one of my nursing bras was a culprit, I recall a MNer identifying a rogue bra which caused hers.

I found the info on Kellymom useful.
Didn't try lecithin so can't comment on that.

Ibuprofen was very helpful as a painkiller and it's anti inflammatory properties are supposed to help to resolve the blockages more quickly.

Good luck

Thank you, ladies. I normally use the cradle hold, which I'm most comfortable with now. But, have used rugby ball a couple of times to dislodge a blockage, but find it physically uncomfortable as I tend to twist myself round, so need to work on a suitable cushion configuration. Thanks for the tip. I'm a bit concerned that it is an even less dignified position to perform in company, which is likely to be a problem over the next few days. May have to excuse myself to feed in private while staying with the in-laws

I find that I've rolled from my back to my side in the night, which probably doesn't help.

Thanks for the link - hadn't really thought about other aspects of my diet - will reduce saturated fats (after Christmas) . I've been getting milk blisters recently, too.

I used the ever-so-glamorous method of kneeling over DS to feed to clear some blockages.

Sorry to say, I got them repeatedly over the whole time I fed him, including one bout of mastitis. Never quite worked out what it was, but soon just got used to noticing the warning signs and making every effort to clear them. Other tips include:

• 'combing' over the hard area with a wide toothed comb
• warm shower/bath, feed in bath or immediately before/after, hand express
• feeding in rugby ball hold once a day or so - I think DS's latch wasn't perfect, and a change in hold seemed to clear the bits of breast that weren't cleared during normal feeds (I have no idea if that's possible, but whatever, the rugby ball hold helped for some reason)

Oh, and I managed to feed for 9 months, so I obviously got used to coping with it! I probably had a blocked duct twice a month for that whole time.

I get a lot of blocked ducts. DD is 2.7 and I'm still feeding her. I find that they have something to do with my hormones I think as I ALWAYS have a blocked duct when I ovulate. Obviously, there is nothing I can do about it, but I recognise the early tingly warning signs and feed, feed, feed from that side to try and clear it before it develops into anything serious. It's always the same ducts too. I think they're just crap ducts tbh.

Managed my first feed in public today, in a quiet corner of a cafe in a department store, and with DD balanced on bundled up coats to get into rugby hold - did the trick with the latest blockage

Thanks for the tips, and glad to know I'm not alone. TBH, it's not been bad enough to make me think of moving to formula as yet, and would like things to stay this way.

Well done Minshu

I find that expressing with a pump helps sometimes (if you have time) as there's more space and spare hands to really massage the breast without worrying about the latch.

Hope things get better.

Well done you!! I can manage a rugby hold with cushions / walking about but I can't do it discretely and I've been feeding just about forever!

Take each day a a time, well done again!

Hi Minshu
I have had a problem with 4 bouts of mastitis in the last 5 months! It's a killer.

Here is what I have been doing to keep it at bay:
Wear bra very loose at night when sleeping

Massage/comb breast

Taking Lecithin - no sinister red patches have appeared since doing this

If I am feeling a bit icky/tired I refuse the temptation to skip a feed (which I used to do, and give a bottle of ebm) Every time I did this I would wake with a red patch.

Ibuprofen

Best of luck.