Clogged Duct?

Question

2nd time breast feeder, first time clogged duct? I think? Never had this happen before and when you randomly have a bump pop up it’s a little freaky! I have something pictured around where the picture shows (thanks Frieda), maybe slightly higher.

It seems to shrink a little with feeds/pumping. Anyone else ever have a clogged duct there? Any tips and tricks?

Answer

I had a clogged duct for the past two days, my breast was getting more lumpy and painful and swollen by the minute. I tried EVERYTHING! I knew in my heart it would turn to mastitis if I didn’t do something soon. The lump had grown to the size of a baseball if not bigger. 
I used a high powered vibrator to massage the area while I nursed my baby from that same breast and let me just tell you - the clog was COMPLETELY unblocked and released in under 5 minutes. 
PLEASE share this with any BF mamas you may know. I swear it saved me a trip to the hospital with mastitis.

Answer

I occasionally end up with clogs. As soon as you feel one coming on, do your best to massage the area where the clog is. Try to push from behind the clog/further away from the nipple, towards the nipple - like you are pushing the milk out towards the nipple. You can do this while nursing and maybe even before as well. Moist heat also helps a ton… use a dishrag or shower as mentioned…
As another person highlighted, if you can’t massage the clog out while nursing, the next level up is to position baby so his/her chin is facing the clog. Seems weird, but it really works. You may need to have someone help you position baby if the clog is towards the top of your breast… you can also lay baby down and then position yourself over baby to get their chin in the right place. The downfall with this second approach is that it can be mighty painful to your various muscles to hover over baby while they work their magic. 
Just keep working at it until you break up the clog. For me, it would take at least a couple nursing sessions (sometimes a few days!) to get the clog completely free, but it was worth the funky positioning and work to break it up. 
Good luck!

Answer

Lots of pumping and breast feeding, warm compresses, massage/vibration, and sunflower lecithin has been really helpful for me!

Answer

Try standing in a nice hot shower and massage the spot where the clog is - if you can time it to line up right before a feeding, that may be even better. I exclusively pump so whenever I have a clog that’s what I’ll do for about 20-30 minutes or so before a pumping session and the clog will break loose. Sorry you have to deal with that. They can be really painful!

Answer

Nurse nurse nurse on the clogged side while massaging the knot, my midwife said an electric toothbrush helps break it up as well. But Don’t let it sit, because it could turn into mastitis. 
I have also seen people but epsom salt and hot water into a haaka and draw out the clogged duct that way!