avoiding blocked ducts

[gogomama]

In the past two weeks I have had two blocked ducts on the same side in the same approximate area. Aside from being painful, I get the chills, body ache and my supply dips for a few days afterwords. I use a breast shield on the other side and occasionally on the affected side..do you think that using the shield more would help me avoid it? I am not sure about it being a latch issue as when she does latch it isn't painful. The flow is really strong though on that side and she does bob on and off...is there any way to avoid getting more blocked ducts? 

[teilvnav]

A hard lump that hurts is a sign of a clogged milk duct; chills, body ache and a fever (if you have one) are signs of mastitis. I would go to your dr, because you may need antibiotics!

There are a few things you can do...

- feed in different positions; try alternating cradle hold and side lying, with football thrown in sometimes.
- gently massage the area(s) when you are in a warm bath or shower as if you are pushing milk out towards your nipple
- no underwire in your bra, or at least not every day; don't sleep on your tummy
- make sure that she is emptying at least one breast entirely with each feed and make sure that you are feeding often enough (every 2.5-3 hrs at her age)
- make sure you are getting enough rest (difficult with a newborn and toddler, I know!!!)

I have never used a nipple shield, so I am not sure about that one... sorry! Why are you using one, if her latch is ok? I would think that because it is something coming between your nipple and her mouth, it might be interferring with how she empties the breast. If the flow is too strong for her, try expressing a wee bit before nursing so that you can put her on after that flood has passed. You can save the expressed milk to feed her, if you want.

[anna*]

Soy lecithin is supposed to be great for helping to clear ducts and avoid mastitis. I have a huge bottle would offer to send it to you but with Xmas it will probably take 2 weeks! If you can, have baby nurse so her chin is pointing to the blocked area, so football hold if it is on the outside of the breast.

[gogomama]

Thanks ladies, that is a lot of helpful information. I initially thought it might be mastitis too but I don't have the redness on the breast and the pain/blockage/chills hasn't lasted more than a day...perhaps it can stay dormant though and just keep reappearing?? I was really hoping it isn't that bc I hate to have to visit the drs with two kids unless I really have to. Anna, I will have to pick up some of that soy lecithin at the health store..have you tried it yourself?   

[anna*]

By the time I got it I already had a prescription for anti biotics...

[gyorgyi]

Hi!

I had fever and chills body aches and painfull breast a few days ago. I put silver colloid gel on my nipples because it is a natural antibiotc and I was nursing mainly that side. Before feeding I had a long shower and I was massaging my breast under the hot water. In the meantime I cleaned the shower because moving your arms in big circles helps too :-)
My fever was gone in a few hours and the pain was getting better.
I hate to go to the doctor me too because every time we catch something :-(
If your fever persist you must see a doctor. It could be mastitis without redness. My sister had like that and she didn't even had pain in her breast.
It was so bad that she stayed in the hospital for 2 days!

Good luck and get well!

[anna*]

My Dr was able to prescribe without seeing me - I just told her my symptoms over the phone. You could maybe get a prescription and fill it if you get worse?

[Erin M]

I've heard good things about lecithin too from a few people.  I've seen some disagreement as to whether or not you always need antibiotics to treat mastitis -- some people think that it can just resolve on its own, although if the fever and chills persist for more than a day, I would get antibiotics as untreated infections can turn into an access which would not be good.  I find the heat works well on the blocked ducts and lots of nursing as well -- when I have one, I always start on that side.  Could you be sleeping on it perhaps?  I had a recurrent one a few weeks ago that I think had to do with the fact that I was putting a lot of pressure on that side while I slept.  Anyway, I did lots of warm compresses and then would massage it firmly while he nursed on that side.  That was about a month ago and it hasn't come back since. 

[Claudiamummy]

Hi there! I am a sufferer as well, it comes and goes, but try nursing on the blocked side lying down, as pp said, different positions really help.... And I always pop dd on that side for the nf.... She usually sorts it for me, but hang in there we have managed for a good 8 months