Clogged Milk Duct or Mastis??

Do you have a fever, redness and swelling? Is the spot warm to the touch? Are you nauseous or vomiting with flu-like symptoms? Those are symptoms of mastitis. If not, then you probably just have a really clogged duct. You can also try to unstop the duct by massaging in a warm shower and hand expressing in the shower.

I don't think there is any way that you could have the same clogged milk duct for weeks without it becoming mastitis. So either you have had multiple bouts (I had them every few days when my son was two to six months), it is something else, or if you have the signs of mastitis, you probably need to go in. It can become really dangerous if you do have mastitis, I know of one mom who was in the hospital for a week because of what it became.

I would not go to the ER, just go to a doctor's clinic, it will probably be around $100, plus maybe $30 or 40 for an antibiotic. The ER will be a lot more, and you can still be seen within an hour or less at a clinic usually. We don't have insurance either, and I have done this for other things. I also once got an antibiotic prescription from our pediatrician for mastitis, although I got rid of it without taking it (used some natural stuff), and it had already started to get better before I got the antibiotics. It lasted a few days and then the fever, pain, redness, and hot sweats/cold chills went away.

Also, if your clogged ducts are recurring, it could be that something is setting them off. It might just be the fact that your child isn't getting it all out, since you are only night nursing, or it could be something in your diet. Dairy was what got me, as soon as I cut down on dairy I had no more issues, and I have never had dairy problems before or after that.

This is my favorite page with help for plugged ducts and mastitis on Kellymom http://kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mother/mastitis/
This is another one by Dr Sears. You will see a listing for both mastitis and plugged ducts http://askdrsears.com/topics/breastfeeding/common-problems
I've had mastitis a couple times, if you catch it and treat it fast enough you do not always need antibiotics. I did not.

If you think that you are just clogged, massage your breasts in a hot shower. I had some sore bumps and I had to massage them out over a couple days.

The kellymom site is right on. What worked for me was very firm pressure on the area behind the clogged duct while the baby is nursing or while you are pumping. I would take a thumb and start where the breast meets your chest wall and slide it towards the clogged duct, very slowly and with lots of pressure, stopping but keeping pressure on the spot where I could feel the 'lump' of the clog, all while the baby is nursing (or while pumping if you have a really good electric pump). Heat on the breast just before you nurse and massage also helps.

If you are just sore, then it's likely still clogged ducts. If you have bright red streaks on your breast or are running a low fever, you need to see a doctor for antibiotics.

Also, it might be that you dropped nursing sessions too fast, leading to the clogged ducts. Nurse as much as your baby wants to right now to get rid of those clogs before they turn into mastitis. And when you start weaning again, go very very slowly. I don't know how fast you went the first time, but it's clear that you need to go slower when you try it again.

ER is not necessary. Take a pain killer every now and then to help. Otherwise, nurse as much as you can despite the sore nipples, massage your breasts and express milk in the shower. Also try taking a long, warm bath followed by massage. Lastly, applying aquaphor to your nipple after a warm bath/shower can help lubricate the congeled milk. If you are a fan of dietary supplements, I had some success taking lecithin soy granuals - found at any health food store or even Whole Foods. Lecithin is proven to thin out the milk a little.

Remember that mastisis is characterized by fever and flu-like symptoms. If no fever, then you have a bout of re-occurring clogged milk ducts. These are no fun.

As mamaduck mentioned below - if you have fever, swelling, redness, flu-like, etc. you likely have mastitis. However the clogged duct can quickly turn into mastitis if you do not get it unclogged. Try hot showers, warm compress, changing your baby's position while feeding. Although it's very tender dry massaging the clogged area too.
I had mastitis once and other than labor pains it was the most excruciating pain I've ever had! Best of luck to you and I hope you are ok!