Infected duct, too painful to feed, any advice?

[sethstarkaddersmum]

I have an infected blocked duct - can't feed as it hurts too much (and I scream or flinch so baby comes off and cries). I saw the GP on Thur and have antibiotics and she recommended that I express to keep the supply up, which I am doing.
So far it shows no sign of clearing - it's more painful today if anything. I'm really really struggling to find time to express enough (I have 3 dcs under 5).
anyone any advice how I can get the blockage to clear?

you really need to bite a flannel and feed feed feed

@ Trinity (love the name by the way).
I've tried taking paracetamol beforehand but it doesn't seem to help!

oh well.
On the bright side of course, it will be an excuse to drink extra wine
thanks.

If you manage to feed on that side, with the baby's chin pointing at the lump, it will clear. This works wonders.

You don't say how old your LO is, feeding with chin to lump can be tricky, but lying him/her down and hovering over him/her often works.

he's 8 months. If I can manage to feed I will try hovering.

yes I think tbh I won't be too bothered if I give up on this side, but I still have to get the blockage to clear first.

Someone on here had some advice on clearing a duct by "pinging" - it's finding the tiny white plug on the areola/nipple and popping it. Maybe you could try looking for a thread on advanced search. There was also advice on pinging in Ina May Gaskin's book on breastfeeding.

I remember having very bad mastitis with DS1. I had baths and would use hot flannels and massage with a comb to clear the blockage. It hurt like buggery but it went after a day or two.

Try this, had a wee look of search for you (bored)

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/1364/415375?ts=1198282283476

Thanks Ilovegregory!
I am now sitting here with an olive-oil soaked breastpad, having tried and failed to ping....
I can see the blockage on the surface - it's like a big whitehead (sorry for tmi) but I haven't managed to squeeze it effectively..... am considering sterilised needles etc....
tried feeding again and it really hurt too much.....

bloody buggeration.

my nipple does have a lovely sheen now from all that olive oil

Oooh, sorry but I couldn't resist the needle tbh - am an obsessive squeezer. DS3 had a boil the other week there and although I said I wasn't going to, I did squeeze it in the end. Couldn't resist. Bad mummy.

At least your boob is nice and shiny from the olive oil and not mastitis.I thought that thread was really interesting and made notes on fats and lecithin for when I will surely get blocked ducts when bfing DC4. I'll be pinging for sure.

I found ibuprofen (top doses) much more effective than paracetomol.
It really is excrutuating isn't it.
Kellymom usually has good advice for all matters bf.