Clogged duct

[missys]

I'm pretty sure I have a clogged duct and honestly I'm scared. I read to feed him frequently and apply moist warm heat but as a FTM I have no clue what I'm doing. Any advice?

[misshart00]

I agree to nurse first to see if that helps. If not, what I have done is pump and crank it way up. It hurts but I can usually pull a clog out that way.

And yes, warm wash cloth.

[PikoPiko]

Mar 14, 2015 8:52:56 GMT -5 missys said:

I'm pretty sure I have a clogged duct and honestly I'm scared. I read to feed him frequently and apply moist warm heat but as a FTM I have no clue what I'm doing. Any advice?

FTM too. Curious, how do you know you've got a clogged one?

I have a mass in my right armpit, it goes down after I pump. I've wondered for a while if i have a clogged duct causing my right boob to not produce much. I've tried breastfeeding and cranking up the pump but still haven't seen more milk coming out of a new pore and I don't have any hard spots in my boob when drained. Tried warm heat, massages, compression while pumping and no improvement. Maybe I don't have a clog after all...

[missys]

Mar 14, 2015 8:55:56 GMT -5 misshart00 said:

I agree to nurse first to see if that helps. If not, what I have done is pump and crank it way up. It hurts but I can usually pull a clog out that way.

And yes, warm wash cloth.

When you have pumped it out, how did you know it unclogged? Was it a feeling, lump was gone, or the stringy things I have read about?

[tee]

For clogged ducts, I always Nurse in different positions (like if you normally do cradle, try football), rub the heck out of it while nursing/pumping/showering. I haven't had one yet, but had a few with my first.

[misshart00]

Mar 14, 2015 9:57:32 GMT -5 @nolagal said:

Mar 14, 2015 9:29:35 GMT -5 missys said:

When you have pumped it out, how did you know it unclogged? Was it a feeling, lump was gone, or the stringy things I have read about?

when they are gone, it won't be hard anymore...but it might be a little sore.

This. I don't recall any stringiness. But it's kind of sore and no more lump.

[mommadozer]

I recommend wearing a loose bra or no bra while having a clogged duct. I was really close to getting mastitis but, I stopped wearing my underwire nursing bra, massaged during showers, applied heat pads and had LO drain my milk.

Just make sure you get properly fitted for a bra. My left breast is over a cup size bigger than the right and produces almost twice as much milk. The bra I purchased was not big enough for the left and being confined to a tight space led to the blocked duct.

[seamonster]

Massage before and during feeding or pumping can help.

[mrszee]

Sorry, mama, I had one last weekend and it was not fun!! I nursed that side and massaged while I nursed, warmth to the area and massaging in the shower. One of my friends recommended taking a comb and slowly and gently combing behind the mass which I did in the shower. If you don't have a comb, use your fingers in a rake shape. I hope you can get it unplugged!

[WittyLittle]

If it's a really stubborn one i can highly recommend using a hot water bottle to warm up the area and then hand expressing the milk out right after while you're in the shower. That works for me. Hope it's better soon, that's no fun!!!

[missys]

Thank you all for your responses and advice. I thought I had gotten the hang of breastfeeding and this may push me over the edge to stop. With LO in the nicu I began pumping within 24 hours of his birth every 3 hours until we came home and my milk came in with a fury causing a lot of engorgement. My breasts are large to begin with and while I tried other positions LO seems to only latch cross cradle style. He NEVER empties my breast because of the mass production due to pumping and the constant feeding from one side, changing and burping, trying to get him to take the other side, and then trying to pump after to empty is upping my anxiety and panic. Adding in the showers before feeding and washcloths and massaging is totally consumed me now. I am very thankful my husband is on spring break this week and he has taken over pretty much everything while I'm trying to fix the duct issue. I've called my doctor (I have a fever now) and am waiting to hear back from my hospital's LC. Thank you all for your amazing support and advice and letting me vent.

[WittyLittle]

That does sound like a LOT to deal with. Breastfeeding is such a commitment, I've had a few times where i didn't think i cos carry on. So far we have, but it's definitely hard and so time consuming like you said. I hope the LC has some good solutions for you to help manage everything!

[mamabutt2]

Fever means its mastitis now, I've struggled with that twice so far and little one is only a month old. :/ Its frustrating, I know. One thing that helped me is to pump a lot less. Yes its incredibly uncomfortable to be engorged, but it will tell your body to not produce so much milk. Every time you empty a breast (or almost empty it) that tells your body to produce more milk. Rest, use a hot pack on your breasts, and if at all possible, go braless. At least at night. You will leak everywhere but I found it helped me. Also try a bigger bra. Sorry for the tons of info and t&ps you start to feel better!

[mamabutt2]

Oh, and take all the antibiotics and alternate tylenol and motrin for the fever! I'm done now

[boxerrrmama85]

All good info from pps. I had one that hurt like a bitccch! I massaged in the shower, applied a heat pack, pumped in between feedings, football hold while nursing, and also did a dangled feed. It went away after about a day of aggressive treating-- but still felt bruised and tender for a few days.

[PikoPiko]

missys, no advice but I hope you feel better and resolve the clog soon!

[allonsy221b]

Dangled feeding worked Awesome for me! Hope you got it out already!

[angeldcf]

Mar 14, 2015 9:04:02 GMT -5 PikoPiko said:

Mar 14, 2015 8:52:56 GMT -5 missys said:

I have a mass in my right armpit, it goes down after I pump. .

Random/FYI- that mass is likely breast tissue (google Tail of Spence). I have a lovely tail in my left armpit that is a PITA as it fills with milk but doesn't drain well. I have to massage the crap out of it in the shower to drain it. 

Unfortunately, it's also a place where lots of women can get breast cancer because they typically don't check that area so it's missed. So check your tails!