Mastitis/clogged duct?

Question

Is there anything else a swollen side of my breast could be other than mastitis or a clogged milk duct? I've been breastfeeding 10 weeks now and had a clogged duct once early on and it was pretty easy to massage out. I have a little bit of a knot this time on the side of my breast but it's really hard and sore on the whole side. I've tried heat and massage and nothing is happening. He feeds regularly from both sides. This has just developed in the last few hours but it's extremely painful and I'm not sure what else I can do.
EDIT painful hard side is as big as my hand now SOMEONE PLEASE HELP ME

Answer

I had this a few weeks ago. You have to pump to empty the breast out and try to pull the clog out. Do all the warm compress, shower and massage and after feeding you can put ice on it. Also I took Motrin because it hurt so bad. I ended up developing mastitis and flu like symptoms so I went in to see my obgyn and got antibiotics but only took them for a few days until I felt better. Good luck!

Answer

I've had a couple clogged ducts. Each time I just let my son start to nurse, once my let down starts I unlatch my son and massage the lump and hand express as much as I can. I just let it spray because cleaning up breast milk is a million times better than a clogged duct.

Answer

I got a clogged duct at around 4 weeks in my breastfeeding journey, and I tried EVERYTHING! I would take hot showers and massage my breasts, I would do heat/cold compresses, I would breastfeed in different positions, I would breastfeed with the baby’s chin facing the swollen/tender side, I would massage my boob with a comb and nothing work! I started getting chilly/flu like symptoms and I immediately called my OBGYN and scheduled and appointment and they got me right on antibiotics... I was seriously afraid of getting an abscess! After I finished my antibiotics my milk supply from the clogged duct boob was never the same and it is smaller than my other boob... I rarely wear bras anymore because I am so afraid I can get mastitis/clogged duct again (except when I go out)... yes I was constantly leaking and will have to change my shirts at least 5 times a day but it is better than a clogged duct and hey... here I am now 21 weeks into my breastfeeding journey and I don’t leak anymore, and clogged duct free!!!! THANK YOU LORD!

Answer

Try sunflower lecithin! You can get it at any health food store and it comes in a bottle of pills. It thins your milk to reduce clogged ducts and mastitis. My friend struggled with reoccuring mastitis for months until she found it, and once she felt it coming on, she'd take like 4 of them and it would go away. It was the only thing that worked for her! Also heat, massage, and lots of feeding off that particular breast while applying pressure to that duct. Feed on all 4's, or another position where you're leaned forward with the breast dangling. Good luck!

Answer

What everyone else said! A nice hot shower while you massage is helpful too and let’s face it, a great way to relax and have some alone time 😊 also, a nurse told me to try to get the baby to latch so that his/her nose was pointing at the clogged duct area. Not sure if that actually did the trick since I did a hot shower first while massaging, massaged while baby fed and also pumped after but it’s worth a shot!

Answer

I had a really bad clogged duct once, and nothing was working. I ended up having my husband hardcore massage it out. It hurt like hell, and it's probably not very nice to the booby tissue, but he got it out. I'm sorry you are in so much pain. If all else fails, call your doctor or a lactation consultant. Best of luck.

Answer

Sounds like a blocked duct for sure, same thing happened to me a few weeks ago. I would always start bubs feed on that side and massage the lump while they feed. Apply a heat pack prior to the feed too and afterwards pump out whatever milk is left, you need to try and clear the breast completely of all milk. It took a few goes to get my duct unclogged and I just keep massaging through the pain while pumping. It's so relieving once it does unclog though! But if you develop flu like symptoms go to the doctor as you may develop mastitis and need antibiotics. They may also give you something for the pain.

Answer

Call your doctor/midwife now. If you are exhausted, achey, flu-like in any way then it is mastitis. I’ve had three blocked ducts and they have all progressed to mastitis. The first one took a number of days to progress, but I’ve never had luck with heat and massage like they tell you helps.
Best luck! Call now!

Mastitis/clogged duct?

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