debcot
10-15-2009, 02:26 PM
Hi, I'm new to this, so please bear with me!!
I'm mum of 3, youngest being 12wks. Always had probs with breastfeeding, ranging from agony to uncomfortable... With the current babe, I've had oversupply, mastitis&blocks then thrush (from antibiotics i guess) and now recurrent blocked ducts on one side.
i guess the latch is the underlying problem. Last couple of days have found if my nipple goes in at a different angle (not pointing upwards/nipple to nose) the feed is pain free!!! (first day off painkillers!!!) Hurray... However the side that first blocked about 5 weeks ago continues to have a tendency to block. I've got good at spotting it early and clearing it, though it ususally means a day of baths, compresses, massage etc. It seems to happen if i ever feed sat up - even if its not hurting, milk seems to be flowing etc. I tend to lie down but its not always poss. As I'm paranoid, I do spend a lot of the feed compressing, massaging lumps etc and maybe should leave it alone...
What I've tried for the blocked ducts (usually in same place, always on same side, varying size, at worst, whole underside of boob solid, no milk coming out): hot and cold compresses seem to help, wide toothed comb, massage etc. I was advised that as big part of problem seemed to be over supply (v painful fast let down, at the slightest touch, lots of leaking, blocks if ever baby a bit longer between feeds), to do block feeding, and then one side per feed, which i've done and my supply seems to be more in line with the baby's needs now. Its a fine balance though, as I know i should feed more often to clear a block, but that sends my supply back up... At one feed on the side that tends to block, I tend to feed, wind him/change position, feed, change nappy/position, feed again, to make sure the breast is really drained. ALso I take Lecithin supps, wear an oversized bra/nothing tight, take care with my position when in bed, and obviously, work on the latch.
This week, after having to feed baby out of the home to attend baby massage, and therefore not totally draining the boob i presume, I had a definate block, though once cleared, its felt the block is still there, hidden almost; though the breast feels soft to the touch after a feed , and no more milk is coming when i try to drain it well, i can feel something (like a tightness) when i pick something up, or stretch.
So.. after all that waffling, my questions are could there be a block even though i can't feel a lump (my breasts aren't particularly big). And any ideas on why they keep happening - although i do generally nip them in the bud, i feel i just can't relax. There was a bleb, though i had cleared it (with scraping, sterile needle), and now i can see the tiniest bit of white (really tiny) where it was, and if i squeeze my nipple around this after a feed a drop of milk emerges - this couldn't still be causing a problem could it - there's not enough there for a needle to get hold of.
ANy help SO gratefully received
xx
I'm mum of 3, youngest being 12wks. Always had probs with breastfeeding, ranging from agony to uncomfortable... With the current babe, I've had oversupply, mastitis&blocks then thrush (from antibiotics i guess) and now recurrent blocked ducts on one side.
i guess the latch is the underlying problem. Last couple of days have found if my nipple goes in at a different angle (not pointing upwards/nipple to nose) the feed is pain free!!! (first day off painkillers!!!) Hurray... However the side that first blocked about 5 weeks ago continues to have a tendency to block. I've got good at spotting it early and clearing it, though it ususally means a day of baths, compresses, massage etc. It seems to happen if i ever feed sat up - even if its not hurting, milk seems to be flowing etc. I tend to lie down but its not always poss. As I'm paranoid, I do spend a lot of the feed compressing, massaging lumps etc and maybe should leave it alone...
What I've tried for the blocked ducts (usually in same place, always on same side, varying size, at worst, whole underside of boob solid, no milk coming out): hot and cold compresses seem to help, wide toothed comb, massage etc. I was advised that as big part of problem seemed to be over supply (v painful fast let down, at the slightest touch, lots of leaking, blocks if ever baby a bit longer between feeds), to do block feeding, and then one side per feed, which i've done and my supply seems to be more in line with the baby's needs now. Its a fine balance though, as I know i should feed more often to clear a block, but that sends my supply back up... At one feed on the side that tends to block, I tend to feed, wind him/change position, feed, change nappy/position, feed again, to make sure the breast is really drained. ALso I take Lecithin supps, wear an oversized bra/nothing tight, take care with my position when in bed, and obviously, work on the latch.
This week, after having to feed baby out of the home to attend baby massage, and therefore not totally draining the boob i presume, I had a definate block, though once cleared, its felt the block is still there, hidden almost; though the breast feels soft to the touch after a feed , and no more milk is coming when i try to drain it well, i can feel something (like a tightness) when i pick something up, or stretch.
So.. after all that waffling, my questions are could there be a block even though i can't feel a lump (my breasts aren't particularly big). And any ideas on why they keep happening - although i do generally nip them in the bud, i feel i just can't relax. There was a bleb, though i had cleared it (with scraping, sterile needle), and now i can see the tiniest bit of white (really tiny) where it was, and if i squeeze my nipple around this after a feed a drop of milk emerges - this couldn't still be causing a problem could it - there's not enough there for a needle to get hold of.
ANy help SO gratefully received
xx