lump in left breast

[Areca]

I have had a lump in my breast tissue all week. I know it's milk related, and it's a common spot for me to get a lump but I can't get it fully drained.
It's not sore or inflammed and the size varies depending on when ds feeds but it won't go away completely. It's at the top of my breast, in the middle (so cleavage area). All three times I've breastfed I get a lump in this spot but usually I can get rid of it.

Do I need to do anything more or just keep trying to get it fully drained and not stress while it's not causing me any trouble?

[PunkyDiva]

Clogged Ducts


Clogged or plugged milk ducts will usually resolve spontaneously within 24 to 48 hours. Your baby may be fussy when nursing on the blocked side until the issue is resolved as the milk flow can be slower than usual. You can help to clear up a clogged duct by breastfeeding frequently on the affected side, rotating your baby's position while nursing on the affected side, making sure your clothing or baby sling isn't putting pressure on your breasts, massaging or compressing the breast while your baby is feeding and using warm compresses on the clogged area. It is important to make sure the breast is thoroughly emptied each time you nurse or pump so that it does not get further irritated or infected and cause mastitis. Anecdotal evidence also claims that Lecithin, one 1200 mg capsule three or four times a day, has helped at least some mothers to clear up recurring blocked ducts. If a clogged duct has not resolved itself with 48 hours, or becomes very painful and red, you should contact your health care provider for assistance.

Above an extract from this site
http://www.i-nursing.com/engorgement.htm

[MissSky]

hi

i had one of these and I ask my CHN about it and she recommended that I use my electric pump to fully drain the breast after bub had feed. she said to stroke down over the lump whilst i was expressing, and also to do the same whilst in a hot shower . It worked for me, took me two times with the pump but I had a hot shower inbetween so maybe that helped.

good luck

[JimJamsMum]

This method worked for me:

Feed bub from the side with the blockage first. If possible feed bub in a position so their chin is over the blockage. Might be a bit tricky in your case. Once bub has fed from that side, put bub on other side and a hot compress over the blockage. Once your breast was warmed up express from the blocked side while still feeding bub. If you can, put bub back on blocked side at the end of the feed for a bit more of a suck. This usually encourages the blockage to clear for me.

[Areca]

Thanks for the replies...I managed to drastically reduce the size of it in the shower this morning and it hasn't gotten any bigger all day so it looks like it's on the way out thankfully....I'm really trying to avoid germy waiting rooms!

[CheekyChicken]

Heat packs before feeding can also help as well.

I am just battling ANOTHER blocked duct- this is about my 6th case and I've had a few goes at mastitis as well. Normally my ducts clear after 24 hours of feeding and massaging (using olive oil helps). This time feeding hadn't helped after 24 hours I noticed a white pimple on the nipple (obviously filled with milk) I am hoping this is the end of it this time but it's the first time I had the noticible 'bleb' on my nipple- keep an eye on yours. I am not advocating it but I gently pierced the bleb with a sterile needle, so far bub hasn't wanted a feed so I can't say how it went but I immediately ended up with a huge wet patch on my top.

I have found my recurrent blockages (also occuring toward my cleavage area) to occur on the side which I sleep. I think I am causing them by the way I put pressure on my breasts during the night. If your lumps are common you could investigate sleeping habits or bras you wear. HTH.

[Bridgetsmum]

I developed blocked milk ducts earlier this week and when I showed my breast to the lactation consultant she suggested I get ultrasound treatment at my local physiotherapists. I have had 2 treatments now (therapist just puts on gel and massages area for about 10 mins with ultrasound thingy? - no pain involved other than breast tenderness from blocked duct). This treatment has resulted in my breast 'softening' again and now I have a white spot on my nipple which is the milk trying to escape....I just keep feeding bub on that side first to try to unplug the build-up.....but ladies ultrasound is something you could explore - it definitely gave me good relief within about 10 hours.