kellied - i've fended off a few blocked ducts. you only need to go to the doc if you get red streaks or a fever/chills and generally feel carp.

best cure is:

1) put bubs on the boob as much as possible with chin pointing to the blockage (can call for some creative baby draping)

2) drink loads of water

3) take extra vitamin C

4) massage

hope it clears for you quickly - it's no fun.

on the james front, he is doing a weird thing - when he breathes in (especially if he's excited or sitting upright) he makes a tightening noise. he seems otherwise happy and i wonder what the hell it is. any ideas?

he is a refluxy chap, and i've read that sometimes it is related to reflux, but maybe you 2nd timers have an idea?

ETA:
Alz - when jj was 2 weeks old he had a nasty cold. we also put him on an incline to help him get the nose goo down and put euky bear on a hanky near his cot. vaporisers with eucalyptus are good too. it was so awful watching him struggle - i hear ya.