Recurring Plugged Ducts

[MrsPavlov]

Hey ladies, my LO is almost 7 weeks now and in the last week or so I've had painful, moveble lumps in my left breast on two separate occasions. The first time I managed to massage and nurse them away, but now a few days later and they're back. I'm EBF, not pumping much yet. I don't wear underwires and try not to sleep on my stomach (sometimes I'll wake up that way, though), but I'm about to get a lot more serious about preventing these things. They hurt like hell and I definitely don't want mastitis. Has anyone had any experience with plugged ducts, them coming back, and what has been your treatment/prevention? Has it worked? I tried searching for this but only found plugged ducts mentioned in passing. Thank you!!

[mommadozer]

I pump about 4-5 times a day and each time I massage each breast to make sure all of the milk is getting out. I massage my breasts in the shower as well. You could try putting heat pads on your breasts to attempt loosening the milk. Pumping and massaging at the same time is the one thing that worked for me.

[seamonster]

Nursing more on that side or pumping a bit helps me. Switching positions seems to help. I get them if I only do cradle hhold all week.

[haybaleinthemiddle]

The supplement lecithin helps with this

[anchovies]

I apply those reusable lashinoh hot/cold bead packs first. Then I nurse LO and massage while he feeds and afterwards. It hurts, but it works well for me.

[lilyelayne]

Apr 18, 2015 11:15:41 GMT -5 haybaleinthemiddle said:

The supplement lecithin helps with this

No experience but I've seen this supplement mentioned a few times on the BF board for recurrent clogs. Dunno what it does or why it helps.

[MrsPavlov]

Thanks, ladies!

[Mom2Ms]

I second the heat & massaging. I hate the massaging because it hurts & I'm not entirely sure I'm massaging all the right places to get all the milk out. But heat? Definite yes.

[cloe111479]

I haven't tried it but have heard from Facebook pumping groups that pumping or nursing while on all 4. Gravity helps.

Also massages. Again I haven't tried but they have also suggested a vibrator on the boob can help it loosen up.

[aggiebug]

Apr 19, 2015 8:08:00 GMT -5 cloe111479 said:

I haven't tried it but have heard from Facebook pumping groups that pumping or nursing while on all 4. Gravity helps.

Also massages. Again I haven't tried but they have also suggested a vibrator on the boob can help it loosen up.

So much about this post makes me laugh. I am sure it all helps, but the visual is funny.

[cloe111479]

Apr 19, 2015 8:15:03 GMT -5 aggiebug said:

Apr 19, 2015 8:08:00 GMT -5 cloe111479 said:

I haven't tried it but have heard from Facebook pumping groups that pumping or nursing while on all 4. Gravity helps.

Also massages. Again I haven't tried but they have also suggested a vibrator on the boob can help it loosen up.

So much about this post makes me laugh. I am sure it all helps, but the visual is funny.

I know. When someone suggested it I was like really but multiple people have suggested it over time so I guess it works.

[ace226]

Apr 18, 2015 11:15:41 GMT -5 haybaleinthemiddle said:

The supplement lecithin helps with this

I second this and recommend this one: www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003BHZ71G/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1429475372&sr=8-1&keywords=lecithin&pi=AC_SY200_QL40

[lilyelayne]

Apr 19, 2015 13:48:38 GMT -5 @nolagal said:

I don't think i have the core strength to nurse on all fours. Unless i strap the baby to me.

My cousin claims her baby's favorite nursing position is the dangle feed. She lays her baby on his back on the edge of the bed, feet toward her, stands next to the bed, and leans over him. Then she says her back hurts a lot. You think??