Ouch-Clogged duct! Help!!!

[vegggeeemom]

My milk has really increased over the past few days.
My ds (17 months) had really decreased his nursing over the past 1 1/2 - 2 weeks due to me being in the hospital and then him having the flu and not eating for 4 days straight just about dried me up.
He kept on nursing away even though there was just about nothing there. So, slowly he built my milk supply back up and the past few days I have really increased big time.
My ds isn't nursing a whole lot during the day and sleeps through the night on most nights.
But, now from the increase of milk supply and lack of nursing to drain me, I feel I'm getting a clogged duct.
How can I help this hurry along? I have had it before and was told to just nurse nurse nurse and put his chin towards the clogged duct when he's nursing.
Any other suggestions? I want to get the engorgement gone and the pain gone before it gets really bad.
I just nursed him about 1 1/2 hours ago and I feel totally full again.
Anyone with any tips is so appreciated!

Pam

[eachpeachpearplum]

I suffered through mastitis several times with my two kids. This is what you do:

1. Put heat on the blocked area - preferably wet heat. I have these great microwavable breast heating pads - I will post a picture of them tomorrow (Sat). Or put a damp cloth on the breast and top with your chosen heat source.

2. Masage the blocked heated area deeeply with oil then add more heat & repeat. It may be painful but I swear it works.

3. Express if you can with baby or other.

4. Change baby feeding position twice or more during each feed. Lying on your side or football hold or backwards (69).

I promise it will pass, don't give up! BTW, I always want to ask, where IS Neverland??

All the best

PS: The breast heating pads are washable and I was about donate them I am happy to send them to you, just send me an email if you would like them.

[vegggeeemom]

Thank you SO much for your advise! Oh gosh. I'd love to have and use those heating pads! Oh, you are way too sweet. Oh man, what a Godsend!
I will PM you as soon as I'm done posting.
Oh, and Neverland is the place where you NEVER have to grow up. ;) Oh, you'll find out where Neverland is as soon as I PM you, so I won't spoil it! ;) LOL
Oh, baby just woke up, so maybe I can get some relief by nursing him!

Thanks for your advise and for the offer!

Pam

[eachpeachpearplum]

As promised! :)

[vegggeeemom]

Thank you for posting the pictures. :)
I'm really grateful for your offer. I've never seen them before in the stores.

Thanks!

Pam

[7blessings]

HI! Sorry this comes a little late, but if you are anything like me, this won't be the first or last plugged duct that you get! LOL! These babies change their habits/preferences so much!


Anyway, the advice for a moist hot compress is excellent. Also something else I learned along the path of breast infections. Buy a fresh cabbage, preferable organic, but regular will do. Pull off all the outer leaves that are nice and dark green and wash thoroughly. Pat dry. Now, put large pieces on the breast that is affected, but not on the nipple area. Leave on for 2-3 hours, then leave off for 2-3 hours. Repeat for as long as you need. Keep the extra washed leaves in the fridge if you need them. I even leave them on overnight, without any problems. It really works!! I read about this when I had had multiple breast infections with baby #2 (I have baby #6 now!) I was ready to give up nursing altogether, then read this and it worked!

At the same time, make an infusion of sage tea. This is 'Salvia officinalis.' I buy Alvita brand from the health food store. I pour boiling water over 2 bags and let sit at least 4 hours, then drink. It does not taste great, but 1 -2 cups of this will reduce your milk supply just enough to bring relief until baby gets into yet another routine :0)

These are my tricks-or-the-trade so to speak, and they have saved my nursing relationship many times. I have had only 2 full-blown breast infections with babies #3-6.

Hope this helps! Write to me personally if you have any more questions.

Blessings,
Lori

[truthseeker]

YES cabbage leaves !!!!

Also late in this post but worth knowing is that the strongest point of suction when a baby nurses is from his/her chin. This is where the science of nursing in wacky positions comes from. Lay baby down on the bed or floor and nurse with his/her chin pointed in the direction of the plugged duct.

I have those heating pads too. I did prefer a HOT shower to them though. The pulsating shower head on the plugged area was great...well that and an extra pair of hands from hubby who would massage the area at the same time the HOT pulsating water poured on me. Don't know what I would've done without him :)

Hope all is well for you now.

[greeninlosangeles]

I had just one in my 2.5 years of nursing and I did not like it at all. It lasted just 1 or 2 days, but any touch made it hurt awfully! I just put heat and made my son suck it often, even though it hurt bad(myhusband said, that if my son refuses, he would help!)
Thank goodness it was gone soon!

[firefaery]

For a warm compress your best bet is a castor oil pack. Just heat a washcloth with castor oil in it and apply to the affected breast. It is antiinflammatory and soothing and will move things right along. Apply several times a day.
Homeopathic phytolacca at 30c will stop a plugged duct in it's tracks. Use every half hour for 6 doses.
Cabbage leaves and raw potato compresses work equally as well.
Worst case scenario: soy lecithin granules will break it up completely.

[faith4u]

Sounds interesting. How do you get the castor oil in the washcloth. Or are you saying just pour some on a washcolth and heat it?

I got these all the time with my now 2 year old. I ended many times using a sterile needle to pull the plugs out. Very painful, yes but so was the clogged duct at that point.

I haven't had that problem yet this time but I didn't have problems until later on, not this early.

I would love to know more about the castor oil pack for future reference.

Thanks.

For a warm compress your best bet is a castor oil pack. Just heat a washcloth with castor oil in it and apply to the affected breast. It is antiinflammatory and soothing and will move things right along. Apply several times a day.
Homeopathic phytolacca at 30c will stop a plugged duct in it's tracks. Use every half hour for 6 doses.
Cabbage leaves and raw potato compresses work equally as well.
Worst case scenario: soy lecithin granules will break it up completely.

[firefaery]

Right. Just pour it on and heat it-just test the temp first so you dont brun yourself. I put it inside my bra and just continue on with my day.
If your prone always have the phytolacca on hand though. Taking it at the first sign will stop it from getting any worse.
I use the packs if I'm not smart enough to remember the phytolacca!