plugged ducts - again

[whenwillisleepagain]

I have looked at Kellymom and previous MN threads - had never had this problem with previous baby or indeed this one (5 weeks today) until Friday. I was very engorged and saw a white spot on nipple - bf counsellor didn't think the spot was significant, but I was sure it was a blockage. She did recommend cabbage leaf and after 30 mins, then putting DD back on, relief - a fountain of milk flew out, alarming a visiting neighbour and soaking DD, but it was like a miracle.

today, not engorged but tender red patch - can now see the white spot and feel success must be quite near as it's very bulgy IFSWIM and a tiny amount of milk has just come out of the plug, but it's very much still there. Am rotating DD, hand expressing and massage, hot basin soaks and cabbage leaves - ideas got from kellymom and mn. If anyone has any more tips would be very grateful. I have what KM describes as low grade fever but feeling lot better after paracetamol

good news is, may know what causes it, as looks like co-sleeping and feeding (and lying in one position all night, with a bra on) are prime suspects. But again, any ideas would be brilliant as I have to avoid this happening again.

I really feel for you - I had ongoing problems with these white spots.

Firstly are you sure you haven't got mastitis? The only time I ever had a tender red patch that's what it was and I needed antibiotics.

As for clearing the milk blister (what I used to call the white spot), it sounds like you are doing all the right things. The only other thing I tried was a sterile needle out of desperation!!

I never really got mine cured, it just kept recurring. A breastfeeding clinic opened near me after this had been going on for months, and they said it was all due to poor attachment, but by then DS was 11 months old and I found it impossible to change his latch. So my advice would be to be really careful with your latch at every feed, maybe you need to try and wake up properly in the night?!!

Really hope you get it sorted.

cannot remember who it was but someoen on here posted of doing a 'ping' to dislodge those white spots. could it have been verylittlecarrot, also known as vlc? perhaps you could do a search? anyway, i think she got the technique down pat and helped a few women with it.

thank you - it got so bulgy I realised it really is a blister and not a plug, IYSWIM. Milk is coming out of it, which is something but I am still red and sore, so yes kitpuss I am keeping an eye on it for mastitis. Will go and search for verylittlecarrot!

this thread looks like it contains some good advice

thanks Aitch, it's a great thread. Am feeling ok today, a bit hacked off with this problem, but boob more comfortable. Think I burst the blister but there is still blockage - between us, DD and myself are sporadically getting some milk out of it. The entire boob is red but suspect due to repeated massage, squeezing, immersion in hot water - and i can feel some engorgement where milk is backing up behind the plug. A miracle ping would be nice.... maybe later

fingers crossed. from what vlc says on that one it looks like you can have a few pings backed up at a time (lucky you). well done on the bfing btw, i never quite cracked it myself so am full of admiration.

thanks Aitch, I did look at another current thread, the one called 'am I being paranoid?' or similar, and at 9am I decided it was best to see GP in case I did have mastitis. He took one look at my red boob and put me straight on antibiotics. He did agree with all the things that VLC suggests though and says I am doing everything right to tackle the blockage. He thinks the ABs should stop it turning into full blown mastitis. Fingers crossed!

Just checking in - glad you got antibiotics if you need them, hoping the blockages clear soon.