brastfeeding problems

Emily - posted on 03/23/2009

By pumping and not feeding off of that side you are increasing the chances of getting mastitis. I've had mastits 4-5 times (I am nursing twins) along with plugged ducts. In the beginning my plugged ducts kept becoming mastitis since my girls were having difficulty nursing and I was relying on the pump.



Even if you end up with mastitis you should keep nursing off that side. The worst thing you can do is stop nursing. It can turn into an abcess (had that too not fun ended up in the emergency room). I nursed through all these things and was advised to do so by the ped and ob.



Remember the baby is always more efficient than a pump. I actually have a plugged duct as I am typing about it and am praying that it doesn't become mastitis...I just haven't been able to unplug this duct! We are having nursing issues due to teething here :(.



Good luck and call you ob immed if you feel sick to stomach, get chills/fever, head and neck pain, flulike symptoms. Drink lots of water and rest along with the hot compresses etc.

Geralyn - posted on 03/23/2009

As the others have said, you definitely want to empty the breast with the clogged milk duct.  The baby is much more efficient at getting the milk out than any pump (even the expensive hospital quality ones).  Chantel is absolutely right with all her recommendations, including how to position the baby so as to target the blocked duct.  The baby can nurse directly and the milk is fine, even when there is an infection. 

The power of massage is excellent in warding off a future blocked duct.  Her expression was "fluff the pillows"  but  it is so important.  Doing it in the shower under warm water is great.  Lots of resources on line....

If you get any flu symptoms, possibly a fever (although not always), and the skin over the sore spot turns pink, call the doctor immediately.  Even if its on the weekend, because you have to start the antibiotic right away for the infection....  It hits ya like a ton of bricks....

Julia - posted on 03/23/2009

Another good position, which may sound a little uncomfortable, is to lay the baby on the floor and you lean over the baby to nurse. It's uncomfortable, but really helps.

Michelle - posted on 03/23/2009

I had a clogged duct and I was told by my midwife to nurse frequently, and that took care of it for me.

Marie - posted on 03/23/2009

I used to get shocks of pain through my breasts but I just figured it was the milk ducts shifting position, filling, emptying, who knows? I've pumped, I've used compresses, and used 2 different holds. In order to completely empty the breast, you sometimes have to use football hold, and other times cradle hold. When Alex was born I would rotate through left side cradle, then right side cradle, then left side foot ball then right side football. It seemed to help. I can't say I've ever had a blocked duct, but I've had dry cracked bleeding nipples and I've had chafing blisters on my nipples. It took a lot of perseverance but I got through it! Hang in there! And store the milk that you pump. It can be given to baby in a pinch.

Adrein - posted on 03/23/2009

You don't have to dump the milk you can still give it to your baby. I had a clogged duct when my son was 6 weeks. I did the warm washcloths, the massaging, pumping and nursing him and it was gone by the end of the day. Your pumped milk is perfectly fine.

Kyla - posted on 03/23/2009

Before you start nursing your baby massage the clogged side and put a warm compress on in. Keep in there for about 20 min making sure is stays warm and keep massaging it. After about 20 minutes start nursing your baby on the good side keep a very warm (as hot as you can stand it) compress on the clog, the warm compress and the let down from the baby nursing on the other side will release the clog, after the let down put the pump to the clogged side and keep the pump there the entire time you are nursing your baby.  The next time your baby gets hungry use the warm compress and massage it first then feed your baby from that side. The clog should be gone, it will be sore for a few days but keep doing the warm compress and massage, this will also help you from getting clogged again.

Chantel - posted on 03/23/2009

No, don't pump and dump!  Heating pack, ibuprofen, point baby's chin toward hard/sore spot when feeding and feed often on that side.  If you have fever, flu like symptoms or other signs of infection call doctor, it may be mastitis.  Otherwise, plugged ducts can occur from compression, changed feeding habits, stress, fatigue and wrong fitting bra.  You may want to go braless for a few days if possible!