Diaper Swappers

lagoon66 · 08-27-2011, 02:30 PM

I have had a few plugged milk ducts the last 2 days and am taking measures to clear them out but breastfeeding is so painful on that breast for the first few minutes. How many days should I expect this to last? It's getting brutal.

mommaagain · 08-27-2011, 02:35 PM

It shouldn't take so long to clear a plug in my experience. What have you tried? Warm compress before feeding, nurse that side first, aim baby's nose or chin toward plug for better drainage of those ducts, massage during feed and pump or express more after feeding to completely empty the breast. If you normally can take ibuprofen, that may help with the discomfort and reduce some of the inflammation. Try different positions for feeding. I used to get them on the armpit side of my left breast. I could clear them by laying down on my right side to nurse but lean over so baby could reach my left breast. Worked every time. You could also try nursing on your hands and knees and laying baby under you supported on a pillow.

If you end up with recurrent plugs, esp. in the same spot, see an LC and/or your OB/GYN. I suffered for 6 months with every 2 week plugs while nursing twins. It turned out to be caused by a cyst. Once I had it drained I never had another one.

lagoon66 · 08-27-2011, 02:52 PM

I am doing just about everything you mentioned above except feeding over him. The heat compresses are working wonderfully and really softening up the hardened duct. Now I am just waiting for the pain to go away when I breastfeed. I will contact a LC Monday if it's not gone by then.

mommaagain · 08-27-2011, 03:01 PM

Hopefully it will be gone by then. I forgot to say rest as much as you can. Take the baby to bed with you for the day, and let him have a nursing free-for-all. Make sure you are drinking plenty. Go bra-less. Watch some trash TV. You want to clear the plugs mostly because they suck, but also to avoid mastitis. Plugged ducts are your permission slip to spend as much time in bed or on the couch as you want.

SenoraE · 08-28-2011, 12:34 PM

I couldn't wear a bra when I had a clog or for the day / couple of days after the clog or it wouldn't empty totally and I'd be back at square one. Also, try to figure out if there was a reason for the clog in that particular place, otherwise it'll be back! Good luck!

Mommy Basel · 08-28-2011, 01:24 PM

these are all really great ideas i hope they too work for myself

Thismomma · 08-28-2011, 02:25 PM

I had some issues with clogged ducts for a short time and they cleared up within a day, but I also had issues with pain during nursing. It turns out that I had a yeast infection on one side. It may be that the pain you're experiencing has nothing to do with clogged ducts. I would definitely talk to an LS or your doc to see if there's something else going on. Good luck! Just remember, it can't last forever--the pain WILL end

08-27-2011, 02:30 PM	#1
lagoon66 Registered Users Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 241 Ratings: 27 Feedback: 100%	Plugged Ducts and Painful BF'ing I have had a few plugged milk ducts the last 2 days and am taking measures to clear them out but breastfeeding is so painful on that breast for the first few minutes. How many days should I expect this to last? It's getting brutal.

08-27-2011, 02:35 PM	#2
mommaagain Registered Users Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: my happy place Posts: 1,231 Ratings: 44 Feedback: 100% My Mood:	Re: Plugged Ducts and Painful BF'ing It shouldn't take so long to clear a plug in my experience. What have you tried? Warm compress before feeding, nurse that side first, aim baby's nose or chin toward plug for better drainage of those ducts, massage during feed and pump or express more after feeding to completely empty the breast. If you normally can take ibuprofen, that may help with the discomfort and reduce some of the inflammation. Try different positions for feeding. I used to get them on the armpit side of my left breast. I could clear them by laying down on my right side to nurse but lean over so baby could reach my left breast. Worked every time. You could also try nursing on your hands and knees and laying baby under you supported on a pillow. If you end up with recurrent plugs, esp. in the same spot, see an LC and/or your OB/GYN. I suffered for 6 months with every 2 week plugs while nursing twins. It turned out to be caused by a cyst. Once I had it drained I never had another one. __________________ Jenn, happily married to 10/96, mom to 12/01, and 3/04, momma again to 1/10, and a new baby 3/13 Last edited by mommaagain; 08-27-2011 at 02:42 PM.

08-27-2011, 02:52 PM	#3
lagoon66 Registered Users Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 241 Ratings: 27 Feedback: 100%	Re: Plugged Ducts and Painful BF'ing I am doing just about everything you mentioned above except feeding over him. The heat compresses are working wonderfully and really softening up the hardened duct. Now I am just waiting for the pain to go away when I breastfeed. I will contact a LC Monday if it's not gone by then.

08-27-2011, 03:01 PM	#4
mommaagain Registered Users Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: my happy place Posts: 1,231 Ratings: 44 Feedback: 100% My Mood:	Re: Plugged Ducts and Painful BF'ing Hopefully it will be gone by then. I forgot to say rest as much as you can. Take the baby to bed with you for the day, and let him have a nursing free-for-all. Make sure you are drinking plenty. Go bra-less. Watch some trash TV. You want to clear the plugs mostly because they suck, but also to avoid mastitis. Plugged ducts are your permission slip to spend as much time in bed or on the couch as you want. __________________ Jenn, happily married to 10/96, mom to 12/01, and 3/04, momma again to 1/10, and a new baby 3/13

08-28-2011, 12:34 PM	#5
SenoraE Registered Users Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 3,044 Ratings: 14 Feedback: 100%	Re: Plugged Ducts and Painful BF'ing I couldn't wear a bra when I had a clog or for the day / couple of days after the clog or it wouldn't empty totally and I'd be back at square one. Also, try to figure out if there was a reason for the clog in that particular place, otherwise it'll be back! Good luck! __________________ Get $10 to spend at Vitacost & get free dipes, wipes, vitamins, food - you name it! Big brother Colt + Little brother Mad Max + my DH + me = our happy, thrifty family.EBATES SWAG ME! I've earned over $250 in amazon.com gift cards in 2 years! Muchas gracias/Thanks so much!