Blocked ducts

[Bessie]

Hiya
Bubs is 4 days old and I'm having problems bf, I have 2 cracked nipples now although I've bf twice before and never got it this bad! My middy said to express my milk and I now have an electric pump, which is great... but my boobs still feel lumpy although I'm pretty sure I have drained them. Are you meant to still feel the ducts or should the tissue be smoother? This is driving me nuts and I feel like a nervous wreck... it's upsetting not to be able to offer the breast at the mo and I really want to get it right! I'm a bit worried about getting mastitis too :(
BTW I'm a bit tired and spaced out so sorry this post is a bit all over the place!

[the_queen]

I'm not sure I understand - why can't you offer the breast?? I had blocked ducts and the beginnings of mastitis a couple of times in the first few weeks, and the best advice I got was:

* Have a hot shower
* Put bub to the breast as often as possible
* Feed him with his nose pointing towards the blockage.

Within 24 hours I was back to normal. When my nipples were cracked and bleeding, I fed in a different hold and so the pressure from his mouth was on a different part of the nipple, allowing the crack to heal.

Lansinoh for the cracks as well, can't recommend this highly enough.

And you should call the ABA helpline, I'm not sure what the number is in your state but someone here will know. The ABA are fantastic, they will give you some really great help.



Good luck mate, you'll get there! :thumbsup:

[Tam-I-Am]

Just wanted to congratulate you on the birth of your baby, and your determination to breastfeed. I know that its sooooo hard in the early days, when you're exhausted from being pregnant and giving birth, and not enough sleep, and everything seems to be going wrong - but hang in there, it does get better than this, in really short order.

Everything that the-queen said is really good advice. Please get in contact with the ABA asap!

[Goosie22]

Congratulations Bessie,

I havnt got anything extra to add just wanted to say that and keep your chin up as it will work itself out soon:hugs: .

[Manxie]

Good luck, your doing a fantastic job. If you havent got the aforementioned Lansinoh cream get someone to go to the chemist NOW!! Its magic stuff.

HRH has given you excellent advice - I'd also recommend seeing a lactation consultant if you are still having problems.

Congratulations on the birth of your bubba:smiliedance:

[Sheer Bliss]

Agree with everything that has been said. :thumbsup: Lansinoh is a godsend.
Congrats on your little bubba!!
Also a hot washer on your breasts coupled with circular massage can help unblock the ducts.
I also used the 'twin' style hold (sorry my terminology is not that great!) as it was easy to shift the position slightly to help with the pain.

[kadownie]

I'm not sure I understand- do you have lumpy breasts or blocked ducts? or both. When I had my babes my boobs were so lumpy for ages- I could press on the lump- which I assume as a duct- and milk would squirt everywhere- I used to press on the ducts when I was expressing- helped to get it all out.

I have had blocked ducts as well- very different to being lumpy- felt painful like a big bruise.

Try and get rest and drink water and don't stress too much- it will pass soon!!

Oh- and congratualtions on the birth of your bubby!!

[kadownie]

I would continue to offer the breast as much as you can- a bubby is much more effiecient at draning you then a pump is.

Lansinhoh (sp? sorry) I know it's already been mentioned- it's the best stuff!!

[Jo_Jo]

congrates bessie and all i can say is the above the above, all what the ladies have said will help you so much! you are doing great:thumbsup: well done and a big :hugs: as this can be a hard time on mummy,s.


cheers...jo:)

[Bessie]

hiya girls
Just an update to say we finally have the breast feeding cracked :smiliedance: as the cracked nipples are all healed up, thanks to lots of dollops of lansinol. I didn't realise to apply it so thickly so it wasn't doing much good before. I've quit the pumping, it helped to drain the block ducts and rest the nipples, but I didn't want the finger feeding to confuse bubs at this crucial time.
If anyone else is reading the thread and going through all this - let me just add that it's amazing how quickly things can turn around with breastfeeding if you can stick at it. I was getting very upset and frustrated but now it seems we have turned a corner.
Thanks to all who contributed to the thread, I was in a right flap! :hugs:

[Tam-I-Am]

Excellent Bessie - well done on sticking it through a really difficult time! I remember how stressed I was in the early days - I'm glad it got better for you so quickly!