Engorgement or clogged duct at 9.5 months?

[katiebee18]

DS is 9 1/2 months and we are still feeding probably 6-7 times a day. I just noticed one of my boobs is really hard from the nipple up to the top. I just fed him and think he emptied it. This is weird. Doesn't hurt but feels warm to the touch. I think I have fed him like 4 x today with the longest in between being 2 1/2 hours. He did go about 10 1/2-11 hours without eating overnight but that is not super uncommon as he either gets up to eat at like midnight - 2 am or if not then 5-6 am (5:45 am today and I last fed him before that was around 7 pm last night).

Should I try pumping that side? Or put a cold or warm compress on it?

This is so odd as it is not like he is weeks or even a few months old. I think this happened when he was little, but I can't even remember what I did to get it to go away.

Worried it could turn into an infection or be a clogged duct.

Thanks!

[rach321]

If its a clogged duct then a good massage in a nice warm shower should help but the fact that it feels warm might suggest an infection - might be worth getting it checked out by a doc.

[katiebee18]

Thanks - its now spread to the bottom of my breast and hurts when touched so I am getting worried.

[rach321]

Definitely get it checked ASAP then. Hope you're feeling better soon.

[Fiver]

Does sound like a clogged duct at best or the start of mastitis at worst.  Is the soreness localised to one vaguely triangular patch?  And is it a bit red too?

If you can take ibuprofen (as in if you haven't got a medical condition that contraindicates it like asthma or stomach ulcers or something) then you can take some of that and get some heat on it before feeds and cold afterwards and give it a good massage to try to get things moving again.

[katiebee18]

It seems like it might be getting better, less firm.

It was in a triangular patch earlier, but not so much anymore. Not red yet and I checked and no fever so I don't think it's mastitis yet. I have been putting heat on it and massaging prior to feeding, have yet to take IBprofin but will do so now. Seems like it is moving in the right direction and hopefully tomorrow goes okay. I was feeding LO like every 2 hours (he sometimes eats that often but more like 2 1/2 - 3 during the day).

Should I wake LO a few times in the night to feed or just let him get up whenever? I suppose if I get really uncomfortable I can pump in the nighttime.

Yesterday I wore a regular bra and I pulled it up when feeding LO so it was resting on the top of my chest. I think this combined with LO going almost 11 hours between feedings that probably caused the clogged duct. Gotta be more careful from now on!

[*Ali*]

You could always do a DF-style feed rather than was him fully if you get desperate. LO is much more effective than the pump.