AArrrgh, Major blocked duct, blushing breast - Not Mastitis YET - Help

[determination]

It just appeared this morning.

I have been feeding from the sore side 1st at every feed but LO (nearly 5 weeks) seems to be unhappy with that breast and comes on and off LOADS. My milk pours everywhere soaking everything in site, i massage the blockage towards the nipple, i have fed in cradle hold with chin pointing towards blockage, i have used my Pump in Style breastpump also whilst massaging towards nipple and i cant seem to get rid of it. I now have applied warm "Booby Tubes" Which have made my milk flow again and seem to have soothed it. I am also planning a jacuzzi/bath tonight to try relax and work it out that way, will use a wide toothed comb whilst in the bath too. I am just SO SO FRIGHTENED that it will turn to mastitis, having experienced Mastitis 4 times i really can't handle it this time with a toddler and LO.

Any other suggestions on what i should do??

[shonaspurtle]

Keep on doing what you're doing. I have managed to avoid full blown mastitis this way. Also take Ibuprofen as an anti-inflammatory.

[bumbleweed]

oh determination

sounds like you are doing all the right things

I've only had mastitis once (not a veteran like yourself ) - but one thing that worked when I couldnt clear the blockage by dd feeding was get my dh to clear it. Did it after warm bath and wide toothed comb thing. He didnt mind!

Good luck

[Plibble]

You are doing the right sort of things: lots of warm flannels on the sore bit, feeding on that side and massaging VERY GENTLY (cannot emphasise that enough) towards the nipple while you are feeding or expressing.
It may well not go today - mine always took a couple of days to go.
Not sure what the comb is for - certainly beware of pushing the blockage around too much as you will hurt yourself if you try to work it out with brute force!

[Plibble]

Wow - whatever it is that you ladies are doing with the comb sounds terrifying! But, hey, if it works...

[Ali5]

I put a warm flannel on the red bit and kept it there for an evening, got a bit soggy but the red patch went, as did the soreness.
Hope you're feeling better soon.

[Ellbell]

Have you tried the cabbage leaf thing? I know it sounds daft, but I had mastitis twice and it really did help. (Think it has to be Savoy...???)

[determination]

i havent tried the cabbage but i ordered a Silverlon Pad to see if this will help, just hope it arrives tomorrow. Im just so frightened of mastitis. Maybe try feeding on all fours later too! get gravity to help me too

thanx for all ur posts

[Jenkeywoo]

I would definatively recommend feeding on all fours - looks mental but works a treat! my sis had a blocked duct and LO , 2 weeks old couldn't unblock it so she got her 6 year old DD to suck hard - her DD still laughs about it and says it tasted like rotten cabbages! Good luck with it all and let us know how you get on.

[VeniVidiVickiQV]

Try laying down, and feeding your baby 'upside-down' ie top and tail position.

The bobbing on and off could be because your let-down is quite fast so if you persevere, the bobbing on and off should stop as your flow slows down through the feed.

[VeniVidiVickiQV]

oh and hot/warm flannel whilst expressing/feeding too.

[determination]

it seems that i am now removing the lump during feeding/expressing but it is coming back with avengance. Is this normal? Or do u think it is possible that im just moving it slightly?

[determination]

i got my silverlon pad this morning (super quick delivery again!) and had it on all day. The blushing is almost gone and the lump is away but it is still a little tender.

Could this be just that the tissue is slightly damaged?

OR

could the blockage still be there even though i can't feel it?

[fishie]

i had blocked ducts twice, never mastitis luckily. both times they got smaller, harder and worked up to a head on the surface, do you think yours might be doing that?

i have read that feeding with baby's chin pointing directly towards the duct is v good and might be easier than all fours.

[determination]

woohoo, i got up this morning and my breast is no longer tender and the lump is away.. now all i need to do is work on the latching without this nipple shield!

i must say i am enjoying bfing this time so much better than last time.

[bumbleweed]

glad you hear you are better

what is a silverlon pad?

[determination]

bumbleweed,

It is a funny looking dark grey pad with silver through it, i don't quite understand how it works, but, the silver naturally heals Mastitis, blockages, cracked nipples etc.