Clogged Milk Duct???

Odds are it is a clogged milk duct. Take a hot shower and massage the area and i would try breast feeding afterwards. A hot shower tends to help release the milk. Warm packs on it should help as well...

As the other responders have said, it does sound like a clogged duct or the beginning of mastitis. You'll know it's mastitis if it gets worse, you get a fever and feel like you've been hit by a truck. I had mastitis 4 times within 6 weeks and after four rounds of antibiotics and the threat that I may have to stop nursing, I looked for some alternatives. Lecithin and Vitamin C did the trick. If I began to feel the soreness, or even once it was red and I was feverish, I would start taking 1200 mg Lecithin capsules three times a day and 500 mg of Vitamin C three times a day. It's amazing how fast it works. By the next morning, the redness and most of the soreness is gone. It is also recommended that you take Lecithin once a day when nursing if you are prone to clogged ducts/mastitis. By the way, both are safe for the baby, but talk to your doctor if you need reassurance. Good luck!

I agree it could be a clogged duct--I got several of these when I was nursing. The more quickly you can treat it, the better. If it goes on untreated, then it can get infected (mastitis). You can call a dr. or lactation consultant--I did the first time it happened, and they just told me what to do, and after that I treated it on my own. I know it hurts, but always nurse first on that side. Try to find the lump in your breast where the clog is. As you nurse, massage the lump, rubbing gently from your body towards the nipple over the lump--this will encourage the lump to move its way out. Over the course of several nursing sessions, it should gradually move towards the nipple. It will eventually come out, and it will hurt--quick and sharp, like someone stuck you with a needle, but it's worth it because then all the soreness will be gone. Also do the hot showers and hot packs, again massaging the lump to try and break it up. If the pain is too much, take an ibuprofen--drugs aren't fantastic when you're nursing, but a small dose occasionally is okay, and as an anti-inflamatory it will actually help the swelling go down so the clog can dislodge, as well as easing your pain. Drink LOTS and LOTS of water. You want to flush that sucker out. I know it's unpleasant, but these measures should take care of it within a day or two. If not, and ESPECIALLY if you get a fever, call your doctor, because infection has set in, and you'll need an antibiotic.

And you don't need to wean--actually, that would make things much, much worse at this point. You want as much milk as possible flowing out of that breast to get the clog out. You can also pump between feedings if you can stand it--it helps, but hurts like hell. The first time this happened to me it was awful, but after that (I nursed for 11 months, and had at least half a dozen clogged ducts), I caught it early and was able to take care of it within a day, before it got too big. GL!

Yes, it probably is a clogged duct. Warm compresses are the best option. Also, when you are ready to stop breast feeding put a head of cabbage in the freezer and when it is really cold, put some of the leaves in a snug fitting bra and wear until the leaves wilt then change for fresh leaves. This can also help with your clogged duct. If you start running a fever, having chills or any other signs of infection, you need to go to the doctor ASAP.
Good Luck
A.

call your ob and start on some antibiotics. it can be miserable but definitely call the dr

I think I'd check with a Dr. but put warm wet towel on it etc. I feel there could be an infection, is why I suggested the Dr. but the warm towel should ease it. Sounds like you may have to wean your son, but that doesn't mean you can't rock him to sleep at nap and bed time.

Warm to the touch often means an infection could be starting. Keep warm compresses on it, and massage, but I'd definately consult your Dr. you might need an antibiotic!

Massaging it in a hot shower always helped me. Also check for a milk blister,a white dot on your nipple that could just need to be "popped". If that is the case make sure to use a sterile needle and the milk that is backed up should just start spraying out.

Just had that problem last week. I let a hot shower beat on it, massaged a lot!! and then soaked a diaper with water, microwaved it, and stuffed it in my bra. I've had clogged milk ducts before, and this method took it down immediately. Cabbage will dry up your milk, so if you aren't ready to quit nursing, I wouldn't do cabbage.

there's a good chance it is only a glogged duct, if that is the case the best thing to do is gently massage the area to try and break it up, or you can use warm compresses. i for one used to just take a nice long hot shower when mine would get that way, but i know who has time for that anymore we barely have time to sponge bathe let alone take a long hot shower!!!! lol good luck with ur problem

M.

Sounds very much like a clogged duct or even the start of mastitis. Nurse, nurse, nurse on that side a lot and do the hot showers as well. Drink lots of fluids. If it gets worse (ie fever, etc), call the Dr. Good luck!

That is exactly what it sounds like to me... When that happened to me, they had me take a hot (as warm as you can stand it) shower, and let the hot water hit your breasts. This should release the milk duct. If that does not work, I would all your doctor, they usually will tell you what to do over the phone.

good luck! but stay ontop of it, cause the more milk you produce the worse it hurts

Kristie

O Dear maybe you can get it turned around before it gets too bad! Ive had a lot of experience with these as well as infections. Heres the steps there are no instant cures ive found!!!UNFORTUNATELY!! #1.GET YOUR CROCK POT AN PUT WASHRAGS IN THERE TO HEAT KEEP ONE IN YOUR BRA TO HELP KEEP THE THE FEVER DOWN AFTER ITS BEEN WELL HEATED PUT A CABBAGE LEAF INT YOUR BRA (RAW) IT MAKES YOUR BREAST SWEAT WHICH HELPS UNCLOG THE DUCT. #2. MASSAGE MASSAGE MASSAGE!!EVERY 20 MIN START AT THE BACK AND GENTLY BUT FIRMLY MASSAGE TOWARDS YOUR NIPPLE...YOU WILL PROBABLY HAVE A MILK CURD COME THROUGH IF YOU CAN GET A HOLD OF A PUMP IT IS LESS PAINFUL THEN LETTING BABY SUCK IT OUT I THINK #3 NURSE AS OFTEN AS BABY WANTS AND YOU CAN STAND #4 TAKE GOLDENSEAL ROOT CAPSULES IT CAN BREAK YOUR FEVER IF YOU ACTUALLY HAVE ONE. THATS MY "CURES" HOPE IT HELPS!!!!

I had mastitis, if it starts to get red, go to your doctor immediately. I agree no Cabbage it will dry up your milk.