Clogged Duct or Mastitis??

First - OUCH!
Other than that, continuing with the Advil as needed, warm wash clothes to the breast for now- that's effective for either the clogged duct or mastitis. Preventatively you can take the vitamin supplement, LECITHIN - it's suppose to help keep the mammary glands open, and prevent clogged ducts.

J.:

Mastitis will cause "flu like" symptoms.

A plugged duct is a hard spot where milk is not flowing.

P., RLC, IBCLC, CST
Breastfeeding and Parenting Solutions

Yes, it does feel flu-like when you get plugged ducts.

A plugged duct is when a plug of milk develops in the duct. It doesn't really become infected or need antibiotics until it sits there for awhile. Any body fluid that sits somewhere where it's supposed to be draining all the time, gives only pain at first, but then can become infected if it sits there long enough. It's the same with ear infections. When they first hurt it's just the pressure of the build-up of fluid. It's not infected until it sits there for awhile. So if you can manage to get the baby's suck to pull out the plug soon enough (the baby works better for this than a pump does), you could get the plug pulled out before you need antibiotics.

One suggestion is to put heat on just before nursing, to help the milk flow, and then cold on just after nursing, to help stop the milk flow, so that it doesn't build up again behind the plug.

Another suggestion is to nurse more often, to help pull out the plug.

Another suggestion is to alter the position that you nurse in with each nursing--cradle hold, lying down, nursing lying down upside down (with baby's legs going up past your head). Visualize your areola as the face of a clock. Sometimes plugs can happen when the same position is used all the time, because the same ducts are getting sucked a lot on or sucked on less, due to the position of the baby's mouth.

Another suggestion is to avoid the "cross-cradle' hold, in which your hand is behind the baby's head. This hold has been shown to cause a lot of problems. Use instead the "Cradle hold" in which the baby's head is in the crook of your elbow.

Another suggestion is to check your bra for tightness. Sometimes a bra that's pressing some duct too much can cause a blockage which then becomes a plug.

Another suggestion is to nurse a lot, drink a lot, and rest a lot.

Here's more ideas....
http://search.llli.org/site/apps/s/google_search.asp?q=pl...

I had what was thought was a masitis, then thougt to be a clogged duct, and back to mastitis which evenutally was diagnosed as an infected duct, though the infection was all th way down at the root, so surgery was necessary as antibiotics couldn't touch it. Mine also wasn't nursing related, merely genetic, and easily misdiagnosed. Call your doctor. I wsa told that the flu-like symptoms can go with either, but it is always better to catch these things early before they get out of hand.

Could be mastitis, but there is A LOT of the actual flu going around right now. And of course, if you have the actual flu, antibiotics won't help. Do you have any other influenza symptoms like sore throat or congestion? If not, I would call your OB. It's better to catch mastitis early before it gets really bad.

I never had mastitis, but was engorged a lot in the beginning, had flu like symptoms and had to work on keeping things flowing (ie: hot packs, hot showers, cabbage leaves, etc) What I remember, though, was that nursing always made me feel better. So, if you still feel bad after nursing or pumping, it may be something more. Also, it might be worth noting to you that later on (around seven months)if I felt engorged or that a duct was plugged, I didn't really feel sick.

I believe a fever = mastitis. I had so many clogged ducts in my nursing career, but I never had mastitis. The clogs were very very painful, and always came w/a lump somewhere in the breast. But I never EVER had a fever w/any of my clogs. I'd call your doctor ASAP.

Hope you feel better soon!

HI J.,

My left breast suddenly became painful a few days ago so I went to my doctor and had it checked. My breast was so full because I can't pump due to the pain. There is a spot on my breast that is a hard as a rock. My doctor checked it and she said it's a clogged duct and she doesn't see any sign of infection or Mastitis. She said I should apply warm compress but she also prescribed antibiotics that would not affect my breastmilk just to be on the safe side. While I had that clogged duct, I had flu like symptoms. The best thing to do right now is to call your doctor so he/she can look at your breast just to make sure that it's not mastitis.

Hope you feel well.

Y.

Call your doctor. You may just be able to talk to your dr. on the phone. I had mastitis a few times with each of my 3 children and it is not fun. The warm washcloth on the breast helps a lot and pump if you don't breast feed from that side. But mine looked red and obvious. I got antibiotics each time. But as someone mentioned already you may actually have the flu and it could be a coincidence about your breast problems. I'd call the dr. to be safe. Good luck!

I would see your doc. I've not had mastitis, but have had clogged ducts and though it was a bit painful, no flu-like symptoms accompanied it. I've had a few friends w/ Mastitis and all seemed to have the symptoms you were describing.

I didn't feel awful for the clogged ducts but did feel down for mastitis. Either way, nurse, nurse, nurse, nurse, NURSE!!! Make sure you are positioning the baby with her chin pointing to the clogged ducts/lumps. I can't tell you how many times I had to nurse 69 style! LOL Some women do not take any meds for mastitis and simply nurse all the time to help it heal. If you are able, try to concentrate on resting and nursing as much as possible through these next few days.

I would definitely call your doctor. I never had clogged ducts, I don't think but have had mastitis and it was awful. I would continue to pump/nurse when you can (that's what I was told when I had it) even though it's so hard to do when you feel like death. Sounds like some medicine is needed. Hope you feel better soon!

CAll your doctor. Not worth takeing a risk.

I thought they are the same. I remember pain in my breast with a lump. I had to have antibiotics or some sort of medication from the doctor to get rid of it. Good luck.

Since you don't feel well and have chills, it sounds like you have a fever and if so, you likely have mastitis rather than just a clogged duct. I breastfed both of my kids and had mastitis once - it was awful, as you know. The clogged ducts I had went away with warm compresses and lots of pumping/nursing & I never had chills or fever with them. Call your doc and get on antibiotics right away. I remember feeling so much better even after just one dose of the antibiotics. Sorry this happened to you - I know it makes you feel awful, which makes taking care of your baby difficult. Feel better soon!

Well I think clogged ducts can lead to mastitis. I had both & mastitis feels like flu. I realized I had to change some habits~like avoiding tight bras & watching my nursing positions. Directing a hot shower at my chest helped somewhat but I eventually needed antibiotics.
Wishing you wellness.

You do get similar symptoms with both problems. I had mastitis 4 times when I was bf my son. Just keep warm wet compresses on the area and make sure she sucks from that side first every time until the clog is gone. Good luck!

Hi J. - sounds like Mastitis. From having it before, I'm sure you know that the doc can prescribe antibiotics to clear it right up, so I suggest you give your doc a call. Feel better!