how to unblock a blocked duct

[ElizaDee]

I think that is what I have, I have a small lump (of breast milk) on my right boob just near my arm. I have had this full before and managed to clear it although I don't know what I did to fix it. I tried a heat pack, and then baby but that didn't work, so I went overnight and the night feeds didn't clear it. :no:

But in the morning, I rolled onto this boob and it hurt like ####! Then while laying down put baby on the breast and felt the lump disapear and blockage gone.

I don't know what I did to unblock it, is it just time or something I did? How should I fix it this time? as its quite painfull until its sorted.:thumbsdown:

[Seekrit]

hot shower, massage.
Feed feed feed off that boob.
position Spencer's chin in the direction of the duct in order to feed him
Some suggest that it's good to massage with a certain vibrating device....

[tickle]

Everything Seekrit said (although not too sure about the vibrating device??:confused: ).:rolleyes:
Just keep feeding and massaging. I seemed to have endless problems with mastitis and blocked ducts for the first 4 or so months. But everythings been fine for a while now. Hope it clears up for you soon.:)

[aardvark]

Some suggest that it's good to massage with a certain vibrating device....

A mens electric shaver is good if other devices are not available.

Sometimes you can be sent for ultrasound to break up the blockage - it works on the same principle.

[nemosmum]

Ive been reading up about these breast pads called 'breast warmer mastitis pads' you can get them from the breast feeding assoc. and apparently they use your own natural body heat plus something called flectalon (?) to warm and help the breast milk to flow freely to assist in unblocking milk ducts and preventing mastitis.

Havent tried them myself as im already starting to egt hot patches on my breasts and bub hasnt even arrived yet!

They are about $39.95

gd luck:hugs:

[Pixie]

Hmm...I spoke to an ABA counseller way back and she told me to avoid the heat as it can make you produce more milk and make the blockage worse, which was funny as I had been having very hot showers to try and get rid of it and it was making it worse, so she told me to put a frozen bag of peas on it and within 20 mins it had gone no pain or lumps! So for me the bag of peas works.
Feeding will also help...feed and a bag of peas at the same time!

[pookiesossige]

Feed for a few times in a postion that points bub's chin towards the sore spot. the movement of the chin while feeding (and other factors, can't remember what they are) mean that milk drains more freely from the part of the breast on the side of bub's chin. This might mean that the football hold, lying down or just turning bub a bit might do the trick. :yes:

:fingerscrossed: it clears soon- keep an eye out for yucky flu-ey feelings and get to a doc's asap if you do start to feel sick. Mastitis often gets worse before it gets better, even with treatment, so getting it treated as early as poss is essential, but hopefully it doens't come to that.

I'm pre-dispositioned to getting these blockages- I have them almost weekly but can usually deal with them swiftly it's only developed into mastitis twice
:hugs: :hugs:

[ElizaDee]

Thanks ladies, again I don't know what I did but it went at the 12am feed! :smiliedance: Felt it go... kinda stung as it went out the nipple but oh such releif when it was unblocked!

I notice them pretty quickly too and like to get them unblocked before mastitis sets in. It had only been blocked for a few hours, so all is good again. :yelclap:

Might try your frozen peas next time pixie, as the heat didn't do anything, I don't worry about the extra milk as the boobie muncher loves it! :laughing: