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Sunflower lecithin help me with clogged ducts. Also in the shower run hot water on the breast. Like really hot pretty much painfully hot.
Breastfeeding trouble
I’m having a really hard time today. My 9 week old has been exclusively on breastmilk her whole life and I’ve exclusively pumped for pretty much her whole life due to latch issues and what not. I went through weeks of cracked and bleeding nipples, painful breastfeeding at the beginning and then painful pumping for weeks. Now I’m dealing with a clogged duct I can not get out. I’ve pumped 3 times in the last 3 hours trying to help and nothing is working. I have a 3 year old, 1 1/2 year old and my 9 week old. Plus two dogs. My husband works long hours so it’s me home alone with all of them all day until about 7-8 at night. We just moved and I’m trying to get unpacked on top of that. I normally handle this kinda stuff well but I feel like I’m at my mental breaking point. Normal pumping is hard enough with all the kids but add in clogged duct issues and I know on the verge of tears from the stress of everything. I so badly want to switch for formula but I feel so guilty even though I’m always the first person to tell other moms fed is what and to do what’s best for them and their baby. I’ve just always gone 12 months at least giving at least some breastmilk with my other kids so the idea of stoping this soon makes me feel like I’m being selfish and not doing the best thing for my baby. Also the formula shortage sucks and the brand I want and fed my second kid is never in stock. Just need to vent and hear from some other moms to help me out here.
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Dang you have a lot on your plate. I don't know how you do it and can understand how it has affected your mental health. If you have to switch to formula then definitely do it. Your kids want a happy mom more than anything. Your baby has 9 weeks which is amazing already. I say switch to formula.
Ju
Sorry I meant your baby had 9 weeks of breast milk which is amazing already
You do what you need to do for your sanity. Getting clogged ducts are super painful and, at least for me, become all consuming until I can get them out. I can’t imagine dealing with that while have three littles so young. I’m taking sunflower lecithin this time around pretty regularly and that seem to be helping me get less clogs.
Kr
That’s exactly how I am. It’s all consuming until it’s fixed which gives me less patience for my kids and makes me not able to be happy or focus on anything else. Not to mention the time it takes to try to get the clogged duct out. I think I’m gonna try the sunflower lecithin. I’ve never had issues in the past except for mastitis one time. I’m gonna give it one more shot and if I get another clogged duct I think I’ll switch to formula. I need to look past the guilt I feel and do what’s best for everyone and having a stressed out mom is not best for my kids. Thanks!
I’m also struggling with feeding and therefore also always pumping before every feed. Almost lost the milk supply and had to work extra hard to get it back up.I have massive inflammation in my wrists and use a manual pump.Pumping and doing everything else is just super hard!My husband suggested to stop yesterday too and just feed her formula but I feel like such a failure not pushing through and taking the “easy way out) Eventhough it really is a struggle … I’m exactly the same with giving advice normally - do what’s best for you, happy mama - happy baba .But now…. PffffSorry so unhelpful. Needed to vent tooMy cousin used her vibrator under the shower to get the knots out of the boob?Really hot water and massaging it out is all I know. I hope it gets fixed or you find peace in formula ..
Kr
Thanks. I hope you find peace too. It sucks that as moms we struggle with these choices because like we said, happy mama equals happy baby and fed is best. All kids grow up fine regardless of if they have formula breastmilk. But yet we are still filled with guilt and stress over making that choice. I was able to get the clogged duct out so I feel better, but I’m still not sure what I’ll do. I think if it happens again I’ll make the switch. Good luck to you!
You’ve already received some great advice, and I’m not sure if someone has already said this but for clogs I addition to continuing to pump/nurse to help get it out, I’ve found massaging the breast (it does hurt) in a hot shower, like boob in the stream of hot water helped! Also warm compress too. I understand the mom guilt about formula too. My first baby was EBF and didn’t wean until she was 2. But with my second baby I was told by the pediatrician to supplement at her 2 month appt. it was hard for me bc I felt guilty about the formula. I nursed first then offered the formula and we combo fed until she was 7 months and just went to formula only. I loved the flexibility of the formula and it took so much pressure off of me! With my new third baby I mostly BF but out of convenience and sometimes necessity (milk came in late) he gets formula here and there. It just takes so much pressure off of me and I like being able to have someone else feed him. Now I know you said the formula you prefer is hard to find, I’m sorry about that. I will say, my pediatrician told us all formulas (except for special kinds for certain baby needs) are basically the same. Generic v. Name brand etc. Hopefully you can find one you like if that’s what you end up doing. Good luck! Remember you’re the best mama to take care of that baby! ❤️
Try cold compress, yes cold, and light massage. You don’t want to over work it or be too rough with it. With new research coming out clogged ducts has a lot to do with inflammation. I was skeptical at first but I was able to get a really stubborn clog out with cold compresses, ibuprofen, maintaining my normal feeding/pump schedule, and relaxing. Once I stopped stressing about it it could about a day of doing all of these things and it cleared up! I was about to throw in the towel. I’ve had 4 clogs and one round of mastitis that landed me in the hospital for two days… but I can’t bring myself to quit. My son hasn’t tolerated any formulas we’ve tried so I’ve done a ton of research on clogs. Still trying to find a good formula for him because my supply does really great then randomly tanks and then amps back up again. I totally get your pain! Ultimately you need to do what is best for your mental health! You are amazing for making it this far! Breastfeeding is so challenging both mentally and physically!
Not sure if on breastfeeding if this was your issue, but might be good to take another try. I breastfed my first without a problem, but this one gave me more issues. I found this a couple nights ago and the video helped.https://milkology.org/content/how-to-fix-a-shallow-latch-breastfeedingWhen your husband is available, try getting him to help you out and dangle feed. Really massage the spots under a hot shower. Good luck!
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