Stopping breastfeeding golf- ball sized lump of milk

[glowingtwig]

Hello,

I had to stop breastfeeding (totally unwillingly) a couple of days ago due to a health issue and medication I need to take. Apart from spending most of the day crying about it, I now have a golf ball sized lump of blocked, hard milk. I just cannot shift the bloody thing.

I've tried pumping, massage, hot water bottle, Epsom salts in the haaka, electric toothbrush; it's not going away. Now I'm getting stabbing pains in it.

I've been in and out of hospital the last two months, it's been a nightmare. I really do not want mastitis to add to my troubles.

Now what? Would really appreciate any other suggestions.

Realised I sound like I am blaming poor husband for not knowing how to breastfeed like a 4 month old baby 😂 I didn't mean it like that, I'm just desperate.

Got a renewed hot water bottle, ibuprofen has been consumed and I'm going to attempt to sleep.

Thank you again for all the replies.

Thank you so much for that info @SpaghettiSquash I had read that one but had forgotten about it amongst the other reading I've done.

I don't even like taking anti histamine when I'm breastfeeding though 😞 I've also had diazepam now after holding off for 3 months so I know that's not good for bf either. X

I bet you have a blockage in your nipple. Have another look at your nipple. Can you see any tiny white dots on it? Squeeze your nipple between your thumb and forefinger and see if any of the little white dots either pop or a string of white starts to come out. A little bit like if you squeeze a spot.

@grumpytoddler1 I can't see anything like that. I remember having a bleb with my daughter but there's nothing like that here.

I've woken up after 5 hours of rubbish sleep and it's now lemon sized

I'm now thinking one feed from him when he wakes up won't hurt him and might clear it?

When I get them I don't get an actual white bleb that you can see. If you look very closely there are really really tiny white dots though, which are just the milk ducts, and I squeeze behind them and sometimes they pop or a string of milk comes out. It's possible one could be blocked but you can't actually see it.

Based on the link @SpaghettiSquash shared I really would give a feed @glowingtwig. It sounds horrible.

I would also recommend Savoy cabbage leaves and massage. I had to take painkillers and get DH to ‘roll’ the lump towards my nipple. It hurt too much to do it myself. When it came out (as stringy cheese) I didn’t get immediate relief, but felt much better within 24 hours.

I'll have another look now it's light @grumpytoddler1 , thank you for the advice.

I'm leaning towards it @Sleepygrumpyandnothappy but I'm also quite anxious and don't want to worry I've harmed him in any way because it would really play on my mind 😞

I'll try the rolling @ShortOfShorts just feels like it's never going to shift 😞

Aw OP that sounds like a miserable situation 😞 I would say please phone NHS24 for advice. It sounds like you might be developing mastitis very soon. If you do develop it you might feel like you’ve been hit by a truck.
Stay on top of it as it sounds like the last thing you need with your current health issues. Fingers crossed for you.

If you drink alcohol hardly anything gets into the breast milk, so based that plus the link shared above, I think it is unlikely that you will hurt him by feeding him. Especially if you wait a little while after taking the medication as they did in the studies mentioned in the link.

If it's properly blocked though, even if he feeds he might struggle to clear it, so keep trying all the suggestions that people have made above. If it starts to become red and inflamed and you still can't clear it then you might need to see a doctor.

A decongestant (cold and flu remedy/ tablets) dry up mucus. Which is the same process as the breast to produce milk. It can help you be more comfortable with sudden stopping of breastfeeding. Do also cuddle baby a lot, so they don't lose milk and mum

If baby is only 4 months old, can you still get hold of a midwife or health visitor? They'll be able to advise or maybe come over and help somehow?

You poor thing, I hope you clear it soon.

Thanks everyone. I tried getting him just to do one feed on it and all that happened was he drank the milk all around it and the blockage has stayed. It's massive now.
Left a message on the 111 web page and a nurse is calling within 6 hours but I'm not sure what they will do if it's not infected yet. Seems so so stupid to have to wait for it to get to that point though.

My friend ended up in hospital having a breast abscess drained - I really don't want to end up there.

God above, you poor woman, this sounds horrific. No wonder you’re struggling.

It’s not much comfort right now I know, but I reckon you’ll look back on this as your rock bottom moment… which means all you need to do is be as kind to yourself as you can, survive it, hour by hour if needs be, and you WILL turn a corner and it WILL start getting better very soon.

Hang in there and I really hope the 111 call has some help to offer.

The advice for blocked ducts changed recently - they now recommend cold compresses and ibruprofen to reduce the swelling, no heat and no aggressive massage as that promotes inflammation. Moist heat only before a feed/expressing to help milk flow.

Like others have suggested I’d be tempted to breastfeed once or twice more as it’s the only way I’ve been able to resolve blocked ducts.

Thanks @Porridgeislife I'm going to try an ice pack now 👍🏼

Thanks @Gloriosity just when I think life can't get worse here I am with an issue on my front half as well as a broken back 😫

Right 111 GP has prescribed antibiotics... surely they aren't going to disperse it though?

It may be swollen tissue that you are feeling not milk that needs to be dispersed. Antibiotics will work. I would take 2 tablets to kick start them. I've had double doses for the whole course before so this should be fine.
I was really strict on times 8, 12, 4, 8 if fluclox as it works best on an empty stomach. Eat an hour after.
If you get a red patch draw round it with biro and it will give you an idea if they're working.

Just came back to see how you were, I’m glad they’ve done something. I think the ABx will enable your body to concentrate on clearing it.

Have you managed to get a couple of doses down you yet? How are you feeling?

You poor thing sore breasts are the devil, I’ve no children so never breastfed but have had hormonal sore breasts,. I can’t offer advice but wanted to support you anyway hope you get well soon and that lump shifts.

God how awful. You poor thing! Sounds like you’ve had a few months from hell. If you’ve tried all the tricks I’ve not much to add but have you tried standing topless and shaking them quite hard from side to side (fuck sake I hope there’s no pervy men on here). It might help to get things ‘moving’ particularly after a hot compress and a massage. Hope you’re okay.

How’s it going OP?

I used a strong shower hose! Warm water. Firm massage. Shifted it and loads of milk then came splurting out!
I hope it shifts for you, it's awful