Clogged duct?

[stephbrownthinks]

I'm really hoping someone has some magic advice here. I am breastfeeding my first baby, born 4 weeks ago.

For the 6 days or so I've had a plugged duct (I think). I noticed it last week and between hot compresses and nursing in different positions it went from a big lump to a small one, but never went away completely. Over the last few days its gotten bigger and more painful. It feels about the size of a lemon on the inside of my right breast towards the bottom. NOTHING I do will make it go away.

I've been nursing on that side first and trying to position the baby's chin towards the lump. I also nurse in all sorts of positions, and last night I tried kneeling over the baby. I've been doing hot showers and baths, a heating pad, drinking tons of water, getting lots of rest, massaging the lump while breastfeeding (this is very painful tho), and applying the heating pad then pumping after nursing. I haven't worn a bra or any tight clothes in days and don't sleep on my stomach.

Does anyone have any other suggestions? All my breastfeeding books say that if left un-treated, plugged ducts can turn into mastitis. Any advice would be sooo appreciated!

[sarahdavida]

I am so sorry you are having this problem. I have TONS of issues with this starting right around the same time. After a lot of misery, I finally spoke with a good friend who is a naturopath and was nursing an 8 mo. old at the time (I wish I had talked to her sooner). She recommended a homepathic remedy called Phytolacca - 30C. She told me to let three pellets dissolve in my mouth and if I saw any improvement of anything - redness, swelling, pain - I could stop taking it because that meant it was already working. If there was no improvement, i could take another dose 4-5 hours later...and basically repeat this up to 4 doses. If by then there was no improvement, she said to stop because it wouldn´t work at that point. Luckily for me, if did after two doses, I think - I couldn´t believe it!

She also recommeded drinking TONS of water - and taking up to 4000 mg of vitamin c per day - and of course, nursing frequently and always starting on the problem side.

Hopefully this will get resolves soon - I know it can be very unpleasant.

Good luck!

[Asiago]

If it is a clogged duct, you are doing everything I can think of to remedy it. I have never had it last that long nor inflame to that size though. I would think at this point you would need to talk with a lactation consultant or even a doctor. I hope you feel better soon.

To find a lactation consultant click here:
http://www.ilca.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3337


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[stephbrownthinks]

Thank you for all of the suggestions. I started taking Lechithin, 1350mg 4 times daily. Also one dose of Evening Primrose Oil, and then my midwife (who is also a naturopath) recommended the Phytolacca. After 3 days on the Phytolacca there still hasn't been an improvement. So I'm going on 10 days with the lump now.

I have a 9am appointment with a lactation consultant tomorrow, hopefully she can work some type of magic? She is really experienced and everyone loves her so I'm hoping so.

No one can believe that its been so long and I haven't developed Mastitis or any infections. I asked the midwife if she thought maybe it was a cyst or abscess and she didn't think so but we'll see!

[sarahdavida]

it is interesting that you´ve had it for so long without it developing into anything worse (thankfully)...I had a similar experience with an infected area on the breast - very red and tender...it went on for days (can´t remember how many) and it never became full blown mastitis - and there wasn´t really a lump in the first place - I just kept nursing and I think it eventually went away...

hopefully you can figure out what is going on...