Ow ow ow ow ow lump!

[AFWife]

It's happened twice now...in the same freaking breast. My son is starting to sleep longer at night (when I give him teething stuff that is) and so my left breast gets too full and I get a really painful lump in it. Both times it's gotten warm and red. The first time it was near my nipple so I suspected thrush and put GV on it...this time it's closer to under my arm. I've been trying to get DS to nurse on that side first and it works...but I still have this painful lump. I'm sitting with a heatpack on it right now.

Advice? Both on how to prevent this AND treat it?

[averlee]

Plugged duct, ack! To prevent: nurse frequently, wear only well fitting bras, careful your backpack or purse isn't restricting the breasts. Nurse in different comfortable positions.
To treat: nurse frequently, as often as baby will take. Apply heat in warm bath, hot packs, warm washcloths. Nurse (and/or pump) after a heat treatment. Point baby's chin at the sore spot while nursing. Massage the painful area gently and toward the nipple. Use a vibrator or personal massager on the sore spot if you want. Get LOTS of rest- if possible, take baby to bed with you for a whole day and just nurse, nurse, nurse. Get lots of fluids and nutrition- eat soup, drink juice. You can take tylenol or advil to help with the pain. If you get red streaks coming from the lump, or start to feel like you've got the flu, it might be infection and you may need to see a doc for antibiotics. But usually plugged ducts can be treated at home.

[AFWife]

Any idea why this keeps happening?

[averlee]

I've dealt with plugged ducts twice. First time, was trying to nurse in the carseat, coming home from some big shin-dig and was engorged, smooshed over mashing my breast against the side of the carseat. Next day I had a painful lump near the area that was jammed against the car seat. The 2nd time, I had been trying to wear a bra that didn't fit right and was digging in. I'd guess, something doesn't fit right, maybe your bras are too tight? Or if you wear the baby a lot, is part of the carrier smashing your breast? I've also heard that trying to hold the breast in your hand while nursing can cause plugged ducts.

[momoftworedheads]

Mssage the plug befor and while he nurses, take a lethicin supplement daily, it keeps plugs away!!!!

Feel better!!

Jen