Plugged duct, leaving nursling - plan...

[LaurieG]

DH and I are going out of town without kids for the first time. We're leaving in a few hours.

DD (almost 3) has had a cold and I think has changed her suck. She has an unusual suck anyway and I have had plugged ducts several times but not in a long time. Yesterday it was suddenly excrutiating for her to nurse on the right side. I tried to suffer through it but couldn't by last night and we took the night off from that side. So now it has been almost 24 hrs since she had a good nursing session from that side.

I don't pump for her when we're away and I hadn't planned to take my pump for the weekend because I never get that full feeling anymore, but in hind sight maybe I should have planned to since the longest we've ever gone is maybe 12 hours.

So how to handle the plugged duct without a nursling available. Thoughts?

[GardenStream]

I had this problem more than once last year when my Dad was dying and we had to make emergency trips down to be with him.

I would take a hot shower and try to massage it out by myself if I could. If that didn't work DH would help me out. He would massage the area and then try to direct his suction to get the right area and release the clog. DH never enjoyed breastmilk, but after seeing how painful it was for me, he decided to offer his services (which surprised me). I was so thankful!

[klindsey11]

Soak down in a hot bath- as hot as you can stand. Massage the breast and try to get the plug out. It may take a while, but eventually you will see the clog come out. It will be thicker, and more stringy. Make sure your breast is immersed in the water. Good luck, and ouch!