Help with Blocked milk duct....can't seem to shift it.

[Erin_25]

I have been BF DS for 8months now no worries at all. Had a small bit of mastitis early on but got rid of it easy as i was more aware of what to do. But after 8 months I wake up yesterdy morning with one side of my right breast in complete lumps & sore!!!!

I have tried everything to shift it. I can't even get the lumps to go down at all. DS2 is feeding alright of it and it doesn't really hurt to feed, just to touch....I'm worried I'm going to get sick. I was in hospital for nearly a week with DS1 with Mastitis - don't want to go there again. What can I do, should I see my GP (don't want to spend the $$ for the appt if not needed) anyone...help??

[Shanti]

Hi Erin,

What have you been doing to help clear the blocked ducts? That's great you are feeding from that side, keep feeding from that side as often as you can that will be the best way to clear it....are you having hot showers and massaging? Warm heat packs? Hand expressing it out?

Have you tried calling the ABA yet? 1800 mum 2 mum.

[Ginger]

try an electric toothbrush on it in the shower.
i would probably still go and see your gp, just in case. it's better to get onto these things early.

[shazzi]

I had a blocked duct a few months ago, so a similar time to your DS. I was trying and trying to massage it out but no luck. Then while i was massaging in the shower i realised that there was dried milk in the nipple. When I got that out with the aid of the hot shower and nipple massaging the milk could "run free" and that saved the day. It was so painful, and no wonder since the milk could not escape the nipple and all my massaging was doing was... well nothing. So check out if you have a blockage at that point.

[onthefly]

Get on to the ABA for sure.
One thing that I found helpful with stubborn blockages was feeding on all fours, using gravity to help drain the breast. My son thought it was hilarious.