My sister-in-law has started weaning her twin boys and in the process has developed what seems to be a clogged duct. Her breast has a white dot on her nipple that is really sore and massage in the hot shower or bath has not worked to relieve the pain or the white head. Any other ways to quickly relieve her discomfort? She is going to try cabbage leaves today to help reduce her engorgement and discomfort from being too full and is trying to resist the urge to pump out some milk. Help! =)
When I had a clogged duct, my neighbor told me to soak teabags (doesn't matter what kind) in hot water...as hot as you can bear. Place them on the nipples. I was very doubtful, but as I was in pain I tried it and it worked wonderfully. Cleared up very quickly.
I had almost this identical issue. I really feel for your SIL! I never developed mastitis, but I would get one of these clogs every month or so. What worked for me is to put a wet washcloth on my nipple, and then sit with a hot pad over it for a long time. I would sit there while watching TV for a few hours, massage it and then try pumping. I even slept with it like that and would try to pump while it was still warm. It might take a few tries, but this always worked for me.
If she is weaning, she might just wean from the boys but use the pump in the meantime to avoid clogs. It is a lot easier to wean from the pump when she needs to, if that makes sense.
I hope she gets some relief soon!
C.
I had horrible problems with constant clogged ducts while I was breastfeeding. You have to open up the clog or it can turn to mastitis, which is an infection that may require antibiotics.
I used cabbage leaves, heat, and massage. The cabbage leaves did help me. I also put a heating pad (not too hot) over the clog, and massaged the clogged part as much as I could stand. Eventually, I could always get the duct to open up.
Best of luck to your SIL, hope she feels better soon!
My advice (based on experience) is to buck a little bit of conventional advice and pump just to the point that it isn't painful. Then do the cabbage leaves and the ibuprofen. Also drink only enough to keep from feeling like you're going to die of thirst - mild dehydration cuts down on milk production pretty quickly.
S.
