MAJOR clogged duct issues!!

[marcib28]

My lo is almost 2 months old and the last 2 months have been the hardest of my life! Anything and everything that COULD go wrong with breastfeeding has and continues to. I'm at the end of my rope...not a feeding goes by that I'm not thinking about how much easier it would be to just give him a bottle and stop with the torture of bfing. Of course, then I look at my precious baby and realize that I could never do that because bfing IS what's best for him.
Anyways, I have gotten clogged ducts on almost a daily basis since he was about 2-3 weeks old. They're always very close to the base of my breast. They're never in the same spots, so I can't tie them to anything that I'd be able to fix. My regular bra doesn't have an under wire and I only wear it if I'm going somewhere where I need to look nice. I just wore my sleeper bra up until about a week ago when I decided I'd just try going without a bra completely unless I go out in public. That helped. I only got a clog every couple of days. Yesterday, I wore my sleeper bra for a few hours as I ran some errands and this morning I was really hurting due to 2 horrible clogs! I don't understand... I don't sleep in a position that squishes either breast (actually, I get more clogs when I sleep on my back). I also end up with a major clog anytime I nurse in bed at night. So I'm having to get up throughout the night and nurse like I do during the day. I've really been trying to increase how much I'm drinking-which makes everything far more painful when my clog is right where my milk comes in! I take 400 mg of lecithin on a daily basis. I don't know what else I can do. It is so painful and frustrating, especially because it's been mixed with thrush, vasospasms, or some other bfing complication since the day he was born Does anyone have any suggestions on something I could try or something that could be causing this? Please help!

[kthomson]

Try increasing your lecithin. I know the max dose is much higher than 400 mg. Kellymom.org has the max dose. I think I take 1200 mg or something and it has been a lifesaver. I used to get mastitis more than clogged ducts, but some of those too. My DD #2 is now 2 and I haven't had a clogged duct or mastitis in about a year and a half. I also stopped wearing a bra.
I know they are the worst! I hope you get some relief soon!

[bodhitree]

I agree on increasing the lecithin. I would frequently get clogged ducts and mastitis until I started taking lecithin. I believe I was taking 1000mg three times a day. I took that dosage for several months and it seems to have fixed me--haven't had a problem since I started taking it.

Good luck! And you are an amazing mama for persisting through all of the problems and challenges!

[LindsayK]

I 3rd the lecithin suggestion I had lots of clogged ducts until I started supplementing with lecithin. I read somewhere the suggestion to "eat it like candy" and when I started that, I never got another clogged duct. You can get large quantities at:

http://www.puritan.com/lecithin-064/...0303?NewPage=1

for pretty cheap.

I found that using alternating hot/cold packs on the clogged ducts helped.

Hope this gets better really fast! Hang in there!!!

[sarahdavida]

I had tons of BFing problems too - and somehow, eventually passed through them all by the time DS was about 5-6 months, which seemed like an eternity, but he just turned 3 and is still nursing! I did not have luck with Lecithin but it seems I didn´t try taking enough - I had lots of other stuff going on, but I will mention - although it may seem obvious - to be sure you are getting a good latch - perfecting his latch (if it needs it) might also help greatly...

good luck - I understand how difficult it can be, but you can get through it!

[Tattooed Hand]

I feel you mama, I had thrush and continous plugged ducts and DD had allergies to boot (so I had to go on the elimination diet). But everything got easier after the first 3 months. Before then I had fantasies of bottles too but I am so glad I persevered. Everyone has given great advice (though I can't have soy lecithen b/c DD is allergic). I massage my breasts in slow, methodical motions from the base outwards every time I am in the shower. I never wear a bra. I also take Eccineacia in pure drop form with vitamin C any time I feel overtired or overtaxed. That helped me.
I would hit the lecithin hard on top of getting as much sleep and relaxation as possible (stressing about it makes it worse) since it sounds like you have a bad tendency to get plugged. But also, once your supply mellows out a bit it should ease up (mine eased up just after 3 months).