I think I have a blocked duct or 2 or 3! My right boob is in agony. It's only the lower half of my breast and it's sore to touch. I've tried massaging it to get the milk flowing, I've put Micah on several times but I don't think he gets much out of the breast. Anyone have any suggestions on how to get things moving in the right direction? I was thinking hot shower and hold the water on it while massaging??? Need help cuz I can't go to sleep like this. TIA!

Rotate the babe. Have him change positions at each feeding. Go from cradle hold to football. Even upright if you need/can.
Massage the area through the feeding. Yes, it'll hurt like the dickens!! But do it as well as you can, it's for 'the good'. Don't be rough, by any means, just firm pressure.

Warm compress before feeding will help loosen and allow Micah to better empty those ducts for ya. And nurse that side first.

HTH

BTDT *ouch*

Tara, I just knew you'd come thru for me:wink: I saw you were on so I waited for you to respond. Ok, I tried the massaging while feeding thing and you're right, ouch. But I never tried the different positioning or warm compress. Will try that when he wakes up. The one day I'm all blocked up he decides to sleep the best[rofllol] thanks Tara.

Ha! Glad I was here then :)
I've had some really atrocious ones...where I was in tears massaging..and that was as gently as I could while still applying *some* pressure! So, certainly won't try to sugar coat that one for ya haha
Just keep on keeping on.
And yeah, why IS it when you need 'em most the kid fails ya ??? What's up with that?

I don't know if you have a pump but if you do you can try all the above while pumping too.

When my breast where in pain, I'd use the warm compress. It felt soooo nice. I actually did more hot than warm, but it helped. If it gets really bad call your doc. Because it can become dangerous.

I had a hot BALL in my right breast when I was nursing the twins... and it was such agony. I do remember that I massaged it whenever I got the chance, but more than that, I put the baby on THAT breast more than the other to try to keep things moving... I used a heat pad to give myself some relief and it helped a LOT. The hot shower with massage helped a lot too! Mine went away on it's own after a few days... hope your's goes away ASAP!

You've gotten some good advice, a warm compress (or shower) before feeding and then massage. It's definitely a bummer. Just a note- if you start to run a fever I'd call the doc ASAP. I've had two cases of mastitis and it gets really bad, really quickly. I hope you get things 'flowing' before having further complications.

We are free flowing this morning. I just kept messaging while he fed thru the night and this morning the blockage is gone. Thanks for all your help ladies!

Keep up gentle massage for another day, just to make sure :)
If there's even an inkling of something left in there, it doesn't take long for it to form big again.
Kinda like a yeast infection...treat for another day after you think it's gone :)

Will do Tara!