Plugged Duct?

Just keep pumping or you could develop an infection and a high fever. It happened to me (infection/fever from clogged duct) about 9 years ago and the doctors said to continue feeding and pumping on that side as much as possible.

i had a lump and it got bad and turn in to an abscess and now i have a hole in my breast

You may be right. I've pasted below some links to kellymom.com. Hey, I think mamasource is great, really I do, but kellymom is fast becoming the #1 online resource for current, medical and fact based (no 'grandma said...") breastfeeding information. I've had peds and OB's recommend it. Obviously, I'm a fan so that's where I'm referring you to until or if you seek medical treatment.

Good luck to you!!

Lecithin treatment for recurrent plugged ducts
http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/vitamins/lecithin.html

Treatments for Sore Breasts and Nipples
http://www.kellymom.com/newman/03b-treatments_sore_nipple...

Plugged Duct and Mastitis
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mom/mastitis.html

Here's an excerpt: PLUGGED DUCT A plugged (or blocked) duct is an area of the breast where milk flow is obstructed. The nipple pore may be blocked (see Milk Blister), or the obstruction may be further back in the ductal system. A plugged duct usually comes on gradually and affects only one breast.
Local symptoms Mom will usually notice a hard lump or wedge-shaped area of engorgement in the vicinity of the plug that may feel tender, hot, swollen or look reddened. Occasionally mom will only notice localized tenderness or pain, without an obvious lump or area of engorgement. The location of the plug may shift.
A plugged duct will typically feel more painful before a feeding and less tender afterward, and the plugged area will usually feel less lumpy or smaller after nursing. Nursing on the affected side may be painful, particularly at letdown.
Systemic symptoms There are usually no systemic symptoms for a plugged duct, but a low fever (less than 101.3°F / 38.5°C) may be present.

I breast fed 3 boys and never had the first problem.
15 yrs later I later remarried and had a little girl. She apparently didn't know how to latch and suck as hard as the boys and mine did the same thing. They told me to massage, take hot showers (even pump with the hot shower running on me), hot compresses every 30 minutes, and continue to let the baby suck and try to get it out.
This is what they told me: infection gets in there and swells the tissue and cuts off the duct. The milk isn't infected and it isn't infection that the baby can get. It was caused from touching myself without washing my hands (or something like that). Nothing ever helped mine and I eventually had to go to the dr and they gave me antibiotics and loratab. I never took the loratab because I didn't want it to get to the baby but it wasn't until I took the antibiotic that it got better.

You may want to call your OBGYN.
Good luck.

M., I would highly suggest you contacting the La Leche League as they are experienced BF mom's and have specialized training in areas such as this.

You can look them up on the internet pic your country, state and city if in the USA.

Here is some info for you.

http://www.askdrsears.com/html/2/T022100.asp

PLUGGED MILK DUCTS

Sometimes a milk duct leading from the milk-making cells to the nipple gets plugged, resulting in a tender lump beneath the areola. There may also be a wedge-shaped area of redness extending from the lump back towards the wall of the chest. Unlike mastitis, the pain comes and goes with a plugged duct, and unless the duct is infected, you will not feel generally ill. If left untreated, however, a plugged duct may become infected, resulting in mastitis, infection, or a breast abscess.
click here

To unplug the duct and prevent subsequent infection, try these suggestions:

* Continue to breastfeed on the affected side. By any means, get the milk out! This is the golden rule of preventing engorgement, plugged ducts, and mastitis. Use a breast pump or hand expression if baby is unwilling to nurse.

* Breastfeed on the affected side first. Baby's sucking is strongest at the beginning of the feed, so he is more likely to dislodge the plug when he starts on the affected breast.

* Vary the baby's position at the breast, so that all of the milk ducts are drained. Be sure the baby is latched-on well, so that he can nurse efficiently. Try the clutch hold or side-lying position. Before each feeding, massage the affected area by kneading your breast gently from the top of the breast down over the plugged duct toward the nipple.

* Drain the affected breast better by positioning baby so his chin "points" to the area that is sore. For example, if the lump is around 4 o'clock, use the clutch-hold and position baby's chin around this point on the nipple clock. The lower jaw is often most effective at getting milk out of the breast.

* Apply moist heat compresses for a few minutes before feeding or pumping, or soak the affected breast in warm water or in the shower as described under Engorgement

* Rest. Lie down with the baby and nap-nurse.

* If you notice a small, white dot at the end of the milk duct on your nipple, that is the end of a plugged nipple opening. Apply moist heat on this white blister and with a sterile needle gently pop the blister. If this pore stays plugged, it could block milk drainage and lead to a plugged duct and mastitis.

* Try a pressure massage on the area of your breast that is swollen and painful because of a plugged duct. This may help to loosen the plug. With pressure massage, you do not actually move your hand over the skin as you would with a normal massage. You simply press more and more firmly with the heel of your hand to move the plug in the duct down closer to the nipple.

To do pressure massage, start at the edge of the lumpy area closest to your chest wall. Apply pressure to that area with the heel of your hand to the point just before it becomes too painful. Hold the pressure at that level until the pain eases off. Then increase the pressure again, (without moving your hand) and hold it until the pain eases. Continue to gradually increase pressure at that same site until you are pressing as hard as you can. Then pick your hand up, move it down toward your nipple about a half inch, and repeat the pressure massage in this area. Continue moving your hand a half inch and repeating the massage until you get all the way down to the nipple.

You may see the dried milk come out from an opening in your nipple. Even if the plug doesn't actually come out, you will at least have dislodged it and moved it toward the nipple so that when baby goes to the breast and sucks, he will remove it with his suction. Always put baby to the breast on the plugged side first, when his sucking will be the strongest.
PREVENTING PLUGGED DUCTS FROM RECURRING

* To prevent plugged ducts, feed baby in different positions with his nose pointing "around the nipple clock," so that you empty all the milk sinuses and ducts.
* Studies have shown that taking a tablespoon a day of oral granular lecithin or a capsule of 1,200 mg lecithin capsule three to four times a day is helpful in preventing and treating plugged milk ducts.

I had multiple hospitalizations as an infant for formula-related intestinal issues (including blood transfusions). I allowed my own 3 babies NO formula their first year and continued nursing them almost through their second years.
That meant that I breastfed/pumped a total of 5+ years while working full-time 12-hour shifts as an ER nurse in a big city's downtown ER. (It was not as socially acceptable then, either. My youngest is now 18 years old.)
My philosophy regarding labor, delivery, and breastfeeding was that trillions of woman did this before me, therefore what was happening to me was probably safe and normal.

Plugged ducts don't necessarily go away immediately. Continue what you've been doing with the hot showers, breast massages, pumping, and nursing. Add the warm compresses and variation in positions that other writers recommended.
The order I would use; hot shower first, beginning the breast massaging from the outermost lumps to the inner section in the shower. Relax and nurse - nurse frequently - continuing the warm compresses while you nurse, if they aren't too awkward. And, continue the breast massage while you're nursing, if that isn't too awkward.
While your baby sleeps, use the compresses and massages while pumping.

The most important concepts to remember with nursing (and all motherhood) are to relax, be patient, and don't allow yourself to be afraid or frustrated.
Good luck and congratulations on the new baby!

I had a few plugged ducts including one that became Mastitis OUCH! My experience that clogged ducts were painful and usually just one little hard place. If you have several, you might want to place a quick call to the doctor or lactation specialist. I know that Rex has a number you can call for Lactation questions.

I would put hot compresses on before I pumped (I didn't nurse, just pumped) and then cool to ease the pain afterwards. But it usually worked it's way out within the day so if you've been battleing this and they are making a straight line,I'd upt in a call to the advice nurse or something. I'm sure it's nothing serious, but i couldn't hurt to check.

Those things are so painful. I got a plugged duct at least once per month while I was pumping. What I would do is take advil to relieve the swelling. Also, alternate between hot and cold compresses. Then try and pump out the block. Sometimes it would take 5 mins and other times I would have to pump for 45 mins. As I would pump I would message and press directly on the knot as hard as I could stand it. If I couldn't get it out the first time, I would give it a day, then really have a pumping session where I would go after it again. Usually I would know when it released because milk would come poring out. Other times it would just seem to relieve itself.

If you keep at it, you probably won't have to worry about mastitis. You will know the difference though. A plugged duct will hurt, but mastitis feels like the flu as well - fever, body aches, generally crappy feeling. I hope you get feeling better soon!

Do you have a fever? If so, I would see a doc, it may be mastitis. The things you mentioned are what I did to relieve my plugged duct, and they worked. If it's been like that for a couple days with no relief, I would suggest calling your doc.

.

I think you need to go see your dr. I thought I had a pluged duct also and I ignored it just delt with the pain and there is also hard places in my breast just like you described. I went to my GYN for a routine check and asked him about it and he said he ddoesnt think its a pluged duct and I"m having an u/s to check it out. Do you have a lot more pain when letting down? I know its horrible for me right now. Please go to your dr and see what he says.

sounds like you may need an antibiotic to clear an infection. Mastitis (sp?) may be setting in and can be VERY painful. See your doctor, and do whatever he/she tells you. I'd be insistant that meds be prescribed.
In the mean time, take your pain reliever(tylenol helps), and try a heating pad on your breast. It's soothing and may help move things along.
Above all, see your doctor and get some prescribed meds. You may need to use formula for the baby for a while, but that's ok. You are doing what is best for the both of you, and it may only be short term.
Good Luck and God Bless,
L. C.

I just had this problem a few weeks ago (my daughter is 11 months old) and it was so painful that I thought that I had mastitus. I went to my midwife and she suggested massage, warm compress and nursing/pumping on that side as often as possible. I also took advil for the pain. It cleared up in about a week. Just make sure you take care of it before it turns into mastitus as I hear that is VERY painful! Good luck!

Hi M.~
I know all to well of a plugged duct. It does sound like a plugged duct vs mastitis. If not treated, it could turn into an infection though. You are doing the right things. Keep pumping and nursing and massaging and pumping and nursing and massaging. Drink lots of fluids. Try to massage and push down from the top of your breast down to your nipple as if trying to push it out. You can also try warm and cold compresses. You will be sore and it may hurt to push it out but this is what is needed, otherwise you could get an infection.
When I had mine, and I had been nursing for 9 months and never had an issue, it took about a week to go away. But you have to be persistent in trying to get rid of it. Email me if you have any more questions. You can also check websites like La Leche League.org and baby center.com and you can also get advice from here.
My email is ____@____.com
Good luck!
P.

I am currently breastfeeding/puimping and this is what has worked for me...go to your local drugstore and buy the ThermaCare heat wraps for the neck. They are long and have a sticky side on each end. Wrap it around the sore part of your breast and stick it to your skin. The wraps stay hot for 8 hours and after a night of this mine would clear right up. This has worked twice for me! I also make sure to massage while I am pumping to ensure I am getting all the milk out!

Good Luck!

M.,

Use very warm compresses. On for 20 minutes at a time. Keep gently massaging, alternate the compresses with the massage. Try this for tonight, if it doesn't work, you may have to call your doctor. I hope you feel better.

E.

Hi M.!

Nurse, nurse, nurse! Encourage the baby to nurse frequently and vary the nursing positions so pressure will be put on different ducts and offer the soar side first.

~H~

i had a lot of trouble with clogged ducts. my lactation consultant suggested using a disposable diaper and putting the hottest water I could stand in it and holding my breast in it for the moist heat. after that I would try to squeeze the clog out...that and if you could get your baby to nurse after that usually worked.....good luck! they are painful.

Definitely I agree that you should go see a doctor especially since this is the first time that you are dealing with this problem. If it is just a clogged milk duct that you are going to be able to work through on your own you shouldn't need a doctor's help in the future if it happens again, but if it is mastitis you definitely want to get a jump on it. It won't go away without antibiotics. I had mastitis 6 times between 2 babies and I definitely had decreased milk production in my right breast where I always had the mastitis. I think I was just prone to getting it b/c no matter what I did with my second child, I had mastitis 3 times in the first month and finally gave up.

Anyway, it sounds like you are doing all the right things to relieve a clogged milk duct, but trust me when I tell you that mastitis is no fun! Good luck with everything and just know that even if you do have mastitis it doesn't mean you have to give up breastfeeding unless it happens to be chronic like me and the doctor ends up recommending it. I successfully conquered mastitis 3 times with my oldest and went on the breastfeed for 6 months.

A clogged duct is quite uncomfortable and this is what I'd recommend. Despite taking a warm shower, massaging the area, pumping & taking Advil/Tylenol, it's best to express bm in the shower by pressing very very hard on the clogged duct (where you may see a round red spot). It'll feel like you're giving yourself a bruise but, it'll feel much better in a few days. I had a clogged duct on my left breast when my daughter was 2 months old and it's the last resort to relieving the pain & minimizing the chances of mastitis. Be sure to take at least Tylenol if you're starting to feel feverish. Good luck!!

When I had a plugged milk duct when I nursed my son, years ago, the doctors advice was to place warm compresses on the area of my breast that had the plugged duct. This worked for me. I got a wash cloth as warm as I could stand to have it and placed the warm wash cloth over the area of my breast where the milk duct was blocked, several times a day until the blockage was gone.

If you are concerned about this I would seek the advise of your doctor and maybe be examined to make sure it is just a blocked milk duct to be on the safe side.

What has worked for me- continue the massage and hot showers, also hot compresses. Hot wet compresses are best, but if you have to go out, you can use those hot packs they sell for back issues at drugstores- they are lightweight so they don't put pressure on your breast. Use a loose fitting, comfortable bra or undershirt to hold them in place. Constant heat combined with massage, regular nursing and hot water has always done the trick. Even when it has progressed to mastitis, with fevers and chills, hot compresses have always cleared it up quickly- within 3 days.

I have also found in the past that applying essential oils to the breast can give a lot of relief to the pain, but they are kind of pricey. The blend I used was from Young Living which is MLM and you would need to find a distributor- the blend was called Panaway. You may be able to find a similiar blend, Olba's is the brand name, in your local healthfood store for much much less. But again, it wasn't necessary for healing, just eased the pain. (I also use Olba's in place of remedies like Vaporub, for stuffy noses and sore muscles, and to help stave off a headache.)

If you have recurrent plugged ducts, many advise cutting out dairy, also look at your bras and baby carriers and make sure they aren't putting pressure on those areas where the plugged ducts are happening. I had one ring sling that wasn't put together quite right and would give me a plugged duct everytime I wore it. Even your babies head- I had one baby who would fall asleep with her head on one breast- can cause plugged ducts if you leave the pressure on too long. HTH!!!

Hey M.!
You should go see your dr - if it is a clogged duct and you don't get it fixed, it can turn into mastitis which I have heard makes you feel just miserable (flu like symptoms). In the meantime, put a moist hot compress on the sore area every couple of hours for about 15 minutes. Try to pump (also every couple of hours) or have your son nurse on that side first (and hopefully it won't screw up your other boob!!) Hope you feel better soon! That was the one thing I didn't like about breastfeeding.
Cyndi

I had a similar problem when my nursing schedule changed returning to work. In addition to given advice of frequent nursing, staying hydrated and compresses, i also cut a clove of garlic into pieces and swallowed like pills. ate 2 raw garlic cloves a day for 2 days. The mastitis resolved within 2 days. (We eat a lot of garlic in our cooking so i don't think there was much of a change from normal in my breast milk). It worked both times I had a problem with mastitis. Good luck.

nursing on the side that hurts is important right now. keep pumping in between the nursing, too. despite all of your efforts, though, it may still become infected. If it is mastitis (sp?) it will turn red on one side of the breast and be hot to the touch, (and OH so painful) if that happens, go see your family doc right away for antibiotics. I got plugged ducts on my right side after both of my boys were born, at different times (like 2 months old, 6 mos, 9 mos) and the last time was so bad, that I had to stop nursing altogether when my youngest son was 10 months. I think some women may be more suseptible to plugged ducts and it happens more often for them, (like me) I hope that's not the case for you :) good luck

Hi M., what worked for me is to fill a bowl with water as hot as you can stand and soak your breast in it. Then if possible nurse your baby immediately after. Good luck! D..

Ouch, I remember those. If you have never had a plugged duct before it might be a good idea to check with a Dr. to make sure it's not mastitis(which should be treated by a Dr) or engorgement(warm compresses will make engorgement worse).

What worked for me was washing my nipple well with a washcloth (no soap) in a warm/hot shower to remove any dead skin or dried milk, then massaging it to try to push the plugged area of milk down toward the nipple and leaning over to pump (since I often had my plugged duct toward the underside of my breast)so gravity can help and it didn't feel like there was as much pressure on it. I also realized that I was more prone to plugged ducts a day or two after eating a high fat meal and not drinking enough water. A poor fitting nursing bra can contribute to the problem so I sometimes wore a nursing sportsbra at home and/or removed my bra to pump. Be prepared, the milk will poor out when you get the plugged duct resolved so keep a towel handy. Good luck. I know how uncomfortable that can be.