I have been breastfeeding my son 50 % and he gets formula the other half of the time. He switches back andf forth easily and latches on very well. He is in the 75th percentile for his weight too! My trouble is I have a clogged milk duct adn not much has helped to unclog it---been clogged for a month now. I've tried the hot compresses, frequet nursing sessions, heating pads...any other ideas? Now, there is a tiny bit of blood coming out of the plugged duct! Would appreciate any tips! Thanks.
Thanks to all for your advice..big help! I have an appointment with DR. next week! I had already been once but will see what else they can offer!
M.,
I have had clogged ducts a number of times and they have resolved on there own. I would go to the dr if you have blood coming out of it. That shouldn't be happening.
L.
M..
Here is a link to Kellymom.com. You'll find info on your current ailment, as well as, other info on breastfeeding. IMO, you should go to the doctor as soon as possible. If you have blood coming out, you probably have mastitis.
Good luck!
J.
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mom/mastitis.html
I had plugged ducts repeatedly for about two months and it just went from one duct to another. My doc was convinced that I had mastitis (although the books say that usually comes with a fever), but the antibiotics didn't help one bit. (I later had a nurse tell me that antibiotics often are not the solution). I ended up weaning my son because I couldn't get a handle on it, so I really feel for you. I did get some great advice from a lactation consultant when I had already started the process of using cabbage leaves to decrease my milk production/wean my son. I heard that lecithin tablets help in the case of repeated plugged ducts, drinking lots of water, and lymphatic massage. If we have another child, I will be probably be trying all of these things. Best of luck to you in clearing this up.
I had one and it only lasted 3 days but I kept a heating pad on it and in the shower I would hand express the milk from that side and massage the sore area. But what I think did the trick was to try feeding him in a different position. I had been feeding him sitting up in the cross cradle position and I fed him for a few feedings in a row in the side-lying position and massaged the sore area while he was nursing from that side, and the next day the pain started to subside and it's gone now. hope this helps. I would call the Dr. if it doesn't clear up in a few days.
Go to your doctor this week. A blocked duct is nothing compared to Mastitis (breast inflammation/infection). You will also want to start pumping to help relieve pressure, and seek a lactation consultant to make sure your little one is latching on properly. My two cents.
Blood should not come out of milk ducts.
apply hot compress before a feeding session. while feeding him, massage the area that is firm. different positions sometimes help too. it allows him to suck at a different angle which might be different for the duct.
I used to occasionally get clogged ducts, and the thing that really helped me was taking soy lecithin. They are just supplements that you'd find in the vitamin section of a store like Whole Foods. If I took a lecithin tablet, my clogged duct would clear up within a day, sometimes within hours.
Good luck!
I have had blocked milk ducts back when I was nursing and usually they were relieved with some of the remedies you mentioned, however there was one time that i had one that would not go away. Mine got really painful and I ended up at the doctors with a breast infection. If it is painful go to a lactation consultant or your gyn/other dr. to have it checked out. Good luck, G.
If you have a pump I would try to pump that may help. Also have you talked with a lactation consultant? They may be able to help you. I have had mestitise (spelling?) and that hurt. I am sure that is not much help but good luck.
Are you still clogged? I have suffered clogged ducts with my littlest son. I'm not sure if you will even consider the solution I am going to offer..... This is what worked for me. My husband. He was my knight in shining armor. I knew I was clogged almost right away. I would have my hubby unclog it. I would stand up against a wall and he would PUSH and massage my breast... he would push and press........ push and press..... It was horrificly painful, but, I kid you not, after a few minutes, I could INSTANTLY feel relief, and my breast would just start pouring out milk..... Sorry you are in pain. Nursing is amazing, even with the not so fun times.
I used to be on call for a so cal LLL helpline... sounds silly, but triple check everything you wear... bras, purse, the way you sleep, any cause of pressure...eliminate it. Drink lots of H20 and good luck at the Dr. Contact me if you like.
L. P
I suffered horribly from plugged ducts for the longest time! The best tips I received from my lactation consultant were (1) wet a diaper and microwave it for about 20 seconds - be careful because it gets hot, so don't burn yourself. Put this on for 15 minutes before you nurse. Massage your breast while you nurse - (I found that pushing hard worked well to work out the plug.) This can be incredibly painful, but worked for me; and (2) Hang over your baby facing the opposite direction while you breastfeed on that breast - the gravity helps the baby suck out the plug! This worked wonders for me when I had a very stubborn plug! Good luck!
