I figured this was where to put this since it is baby related, and a lot of other moms on here nurse/have nursed and know what this is like.

I think I may be getting a clogged duct in my left side. It is kind of tender and on occasion (like when I move suddenly or pressure is put on it) it has a slight pain. Is that what it feels like? If it is a clogged duct, what do I do about it? I really don't want/have the time/have the money for it to turn to mastitis. I am having Dainyah nurse from that side as much as possible, is there anything else?

Thanks for any help, ideas or whatever.

Maybe try massaging it to get the milk out?

I had way too much milk and got my ducts clogged from time to time - I massaged the spots in a hot shower. It was kindof painful. I am glad that doesn't happen anymore.

For mastitis, the doctor here told my friend with it to get papaya for it, slice it up and put it on her breast. She claimed it worked. I'm skeptical. :? Anyone know anything about that?

This hasn't happened to me, but it sounds like the hot massage and nursing alot are the best ways to address it - cold cabbage compresses or icing after nursing are mentioned also:
http://www.babycenter.com/refcap/baby/babybreastfeed/8494.html
http://nhnh.essortment.com/cloggedmilkduc_rszv.htm

If you get a fever (which I hope you don't) then it is time for antibiotics :(
http://breastfeed.com/resources/articles/nursing.htm

Ditto with the others on a hot shower and massaging it. Your are also doin the right thing by nursing on that side often. A couple of other things to try are try massaging while she is nursing and try nursing in multiple positions because you may have gotten it becasue she wasn't emptying that part of your breast out. When I had a blocked duct I was told that different positions empty your breast out differently.

Hopefully you feel better soon.

Thanks a lot. I appreciate it a lot.

I've been feeding her that side twice to once on the other side. I feel lopsided. Guess I should try the evil demon pump for that.

Hopefully it clears up soon.

Crystal

Oh, you poor thing! I know that feeling all too well. I majorly overproduce BM (pump and donate an average of 20 ounces of day, in addition to feeding a 7 mo), so I am very prone to them. Do just what everyone here is telling you to do. I've gotten to be such an expert at getting rid of them, and that is what I do every time.

Here's what works best for me. Nurse your baby. Take a long, hot bath and try to soak that thing loose. Then, get out the pump and pump until you feel it release and you suddenly have a big ol' rush of milk, or until you just can't stand pumping anymore. Oh, and there's also the lecithin.

Because this is such a recurring problem for me, I started taking lecithin (which most drugstores sell; I get it at K-mart). It's an emulsifier, I think. Anyway, they've gotten a LOT less frequent since I started taking it. So, if this gets to be a common occurrence for you, you might want to consider taking it. If I start to get a plug, I double up on the lecithin, and do the above stuff until I get the gush of milk. Then, except for a little residual tenderness, it's all over with.

*haven't read other responses, please forgive any repeat advice*

Warm shower and massage to express some milk, relieve engorgement.
Warm compress and massage, nurse frequently. Change baby's position to better work that area..for instance, try the football hold or a more upright position if you can (baby upright, I mean).
Massage while nursing.

You get the idea? ;) Massage is what really helps. Massage hurts, but massage helps. Massage is the 'cure'. Just gentle, yet firm, small, circular massaging all around the tender area. I promise...yes, it *can* hurt like heck to massage it well while nursing, but I *promise* it helps when you're consistent with it.

*hugs* Clogged ducts are no fun :(

Thanks all. It hasn't been bothering me today, too much anyhow. Don't know if it is my rather high pain tolerance kicking in or all that nursing yesterday (oy, all those diapers....)

I hope this is it for now. It is a little tender yet, but not painfull. I don't know. Guess we'll see in the next day or so.

I am glad to hear the clog is working out... oh they are yucky. I did what the other ladies have mentioned. I nursed A LOT... also I would totally relax and use a heating pad on for 10 minutes and then deep massage. Drink Drink Drink Drink... fluid is soooooo important also. Even if you don't have a clogged duct. It helps with milk production.

Well you should be set if it should happen again!

Yes, what helped me was definetly massaging it although like Tara mentioned it does hurt but it is what gets it done. Taking warm showers or even getting a hand towel soaked with warm water and putting it on the breast while massaging it helped.

I had a clogged duct/breast infection when DD was a few days old, weird for me since I didn't make much milk, but my midwife had me soak a washcloth in the hottest water I could stand and put it on my breast for about 15 min before I nursed (of course repeatedly dunking it back into the hot water). After I nursed she had me put a cold compress on my breast. I also had a fever with mine and you really don't have to get antibiotics right away if you have a fever, only if you can't get it to go away. I took Phidolacca ( or however you spell it) it's a homeopathic for sorethroats, but it worked really well on my infection. I nursed DD on that side a bit more, but since I had less milk I had to nurse on both sides. I felt the "knot" start moving down my breast until it was gone. I could tell when the infection came out because DD would spit it up ( kind of gross I know, but it doesn't hurt her). My fever was gone within a day. :-D
I am glad your is feeling better, it's not a fun place for there to be an owie!

Amber

Thanks girls.

It isn't bothering me now.

Now, all three of us have colds......I am wondering if I would prefer the clogged duct as that was just me, not all of us. Oh well, this too shall pass.