https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 07 Apr 2026 22:03:49 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/plugged-ducts-vs-breast-lump#post-2576883 Tue, 28 Jun 2016 11:55:32 +0000 Raspberry 2576883@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Snowybreeze: So glad - that's great! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/plugged-ducts-vs-breast-lump#post-2576836 Tue, 28 Jun 2016 11:18:20 +0000 Snowybreeze 2576836@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Raspberry: I've read your response and felt relieved. Just reporting back it was indeed a plugged duct. It cleared away in the next couple of days :). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/plugged-ducts-vs-breast-lump#post-2566962 Tue, 14 Jun 2016 12:36:32 +0000 Raspberry 2566962@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>That sounds like plugged ducts to me. I have had both plugged ducts and breast lumps - the former feels painful/tender when touched (like a bad bruise), can be large and are firm and immobile. My actual breast lumps are small and round, don't hurt at all and very mobile.</p> <p>This was confirmed by ultrasound and core needle biopsy which you can also do if you really want to be sure, but I would wait a week to see if they aren't just plugged ducts which I bet they are. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/plugged-ducts-vs-breast-lump#post-2566956 Tue, 14 Jun 2016 12:29:32 +0000 winter_wonder 2566956@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I didn't nurse that Long and didn't have any plugged ducts, but I did get some lumps when I was trying to dry up. Have you tried massaging it in a hot shower or using a hot pack while nursing or pumping? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/plugged-ducts-vs-breast-lump#post-2566925 Tue, 14 Jun 2016 12:00:42 +0000 Snowybreeze 2566925@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We had a party for our son this past Sunday, so I didn't pump or nursed him for 6 hours on the left breast. When I'm at work, I usually go 5-6 hours before pumping too, so it shouldn't be that unusual. So Sunday night, I felt pain on the left side of the left breast. I nursed him mostly on that breast that night and Monday night is when I noticed a big tender ball when I'm turned to the left side (nursing him) and cupping the breast around that area, I can feel a ball like lump. It is painful when squeezed. I've massaged it towards the nipple area and continue to do so when nursing him, it's still there.</p> <p>To further describe, I would hold the breast starting in the inner part of the breast and with my thumb and index/middle finger on opposite sides, gently swirl around.<br /> I know plugged ducts can feel vastly different occurring at different times and different to each women. Does what I'm describing sound like a plugged duct? how do we determine a plugged duct from a breast cancer lump?<br /> During the early weeks of nursing, I've experienced engorgement and some plugged ducts but it didn't feel like this one. It's usually on one side, this one as mentioned above thumb and index finger on opposite side, squeeze it together I can feel a round lump. I'll give it 2 more days...before totally freaking out and going to get it checked out. :sad: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hitting-a-wall-with-breastfeeding#post-404679 Sun, 18 Nov 2012 09:39:14 +0000 lemondrop 404679@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No advice here, just a ton of support. I had my first clogged duct this weekend and holy hell that is one of my most painful experiences ever! At least labor pain didn't last as long and stopped in between contractions and lessened with the epidural... this bad boy came on suddenly and is steady pain and feeling like you have the flu. I have wanted to cry all weekend. </p> <p>I know that I have been pretty lax about pumping since my boy is eating more solids, so I'm going back to pumping in the morning and before bed again, and at least once in the middle of the days I'm at work. Makes me very scared to eventually wean!</p> <p>I followed the advice on Kelly Mom and used lots of nursing and pumping, Ibuprofen, hot compresses, massage with oil, rosemary tea hot compress, and much rest. I'm less painful right now, but still a little sore. I sincerely hope something works for you and that you feel better soon! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hitting-a-wall-with-breastfeeding#post-404660 Sun, 18 Nov 2012 09:26:39 +0000 Lindsay05 404660@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I hope you're able to feel a lot better! I haven't experienced this but i understand how you feel about giving up BF'ing. It's devastating to even consider it. I hope you can get it all better and continue on with BF'ing your little angel :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hitting-a-wall-with-breastfeeding#post-398618 Thu, 15 Nov 2012 09:15:45 +0000 cvbee 398618@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had plugged milk ducts 3 or 4 times when LO was 4 months old. I think for us it was because he was going back and forth between sleeping like normal (long stretches at night) and going through the 4 month sleep regression (waking every 2 hours all night, sometimes more often) and I would feed him many times then. That's my best explanation, that it was like growing pains. Since then, I haven't gotten any (even going through a mini-sleep-regression at 6.5months).</p> <p>How I got mine unclogged was keeping a hot water bottle on it constantly, olive oil on a breastpad in my bra, and offering the clogged breast first at every feeding, and changing up the nursing positiong. This and patience, as it usually took about 12 hours for me to get it out....24 hours at most. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hitting-a-wall-with-breastfeeding#post-398530 Thu, 15 Nov 2012 08:35:55 +0000 Sammyfab 398530@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was going to recommend lecithin for your plugged ducts..I just wanted to check how much you're taking. my midwife had recommended that I take 1200mg.</p> <p>Massaging my breast in e shower and warm compresses helped me a ton. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hitting-a-wall-with-breastfeeding#post-398525 Thu, 15 Nov 2012 08:31:27 +0000 autumnlove 398525@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Breast feeding is soooo hard and you are doing a great job! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hitting-a-wall-with-breastfeeding#post-398523 Thu, 15 Nov 2012 08:30:42 +0000 sorrycharlie 398523@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ugh I feel your pain! What finally got rid of my awful clog was hand expressing ino a bowl of warm water (submerged my boob) before each feeding for an entire day. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hitting-a-wall-with-breastfeeding#post-398502 Thu, 15 Nov 2012 08:21:06 +0000 MamaBehr 398502@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I remember that if I changed up the way I was nursing her, such as position, that always helped. Have you done that at all? I remember clogged ducts hurting like crazy. Or, could you pump after she is done nursing, just to make sure you are completely empty? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hitting-a-wall-with-breastfeeding#post-398395 Thu, 15 Nov 2012 05:36:01 +0000 Ree723 398395@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Kemma: Aww, thanks! You are a sweetheart and that totally put a smile on my face tonight! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hitting-a-wall-with-breastfeeding#post-398367 Thu, 15 Nov 2012 03:35:05 +0000 Kemma 398367@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't really have any words of advice but you've done and are doing a fantastic job getting as far as you have so keep up the great work! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hitting-a-wall-with-breastfeeding#post-398357 Thu, 15 Nov 2012 02:09:50 +0000 Ree723 398357@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrsmenow: Thanks so much for your encouraging words and the helpful link. I think you're on to something with the antibiotics - I spoke with our equivalent of LLL today and she said the same thing. Apparently recurrent blocked ducts can be indicative of some bacteria hanging around in just enough quantities to cause inflammation and blocked ducts, but not enough to cause full blown mastitis symptoms. She said to monitor it for 24 hrs and if the blockage is still there tomorrow, it's off to the GP for some antibiotics!</p> <p>Thanks again for your encouraging words - I was having a pity party for one but am feeling better about it all now! :-) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hitting-a-wall-with-breastfeeding#post-397816 Wed, 14 Nov 2012 17:40:06 +0000 mrsmenow 397816@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Here is a really great link with a lot of different things to consider that might be causing your reoccuring blocked ducts (lying on your side,diet, latch). It also says that antibiotics might help fully clear up a case of mastitis, which is something to consider.</p> <p>You are doing a great job, I hope you can find a way to clear this up for good!</p> <p><a href="http://kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mother/recurrent-mastitis/" rel="nofollow">http://kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mother/recurrent-mastitis/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hitting-a-wall-with-breastfeeding#post-397799 Wed, 14 Nov 2012 17:25:19 +0000 Ree723 397799@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>LO is 4.5 months now and for the most part, we've had a great breastfeeding relationship. The initial few weeks were painful but it got better and all was smooth sailing for a while.</p> <p>In the past month or so, I've started getting plugged ducts like crazy and whilst it has only turned into mastitis once (just a mild case that I was able to get rid of without having to go on antibiotics), it is incredibly painful and annoying. Almost to the point where I want to quit BF'ing altogether.</p> <p>Thinking about quitting makes me want to cry - I absolutely love BF'ing my baby girl. I love that bonding time and love the convenience of it all, not to mention the health benefits she gets from my milk. I really hate the thought of giving it up, but I also can't bear the thought of continuing to have plugged ducts all the time! </p> <p>I'm currently on my third plugged duct in 6 days (2 on one side, 1 on the other). I just started taking soy lecithin in the hopes that it will help, but as now, I have yet another stubborn clog that DH and I worked on for hours last night, yet, it's still here and painful as ever. I'm trying every trick in the book - heat, massage, pumping, nursing, dangle feeding, and even am trying my own home 'ultrasound' (an electric toothbrush or the back of DH's electric shaver). So far, zero progress.</p> <p>Anyway, this is really more of a wallowing post, but words of advice or encouragement would be welcome. Anyone else go through a really rough patch with BF'ing? How did you get through it? </p> <p>Side note: weaning right now is not an option as we have some very long overseas flights coming up in 3 weeks and I'd like to be able to nurse her throughout. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cranky-day#post-282326 Tue, 04 Sep 2012 21:36:27 +0000 JennyD 282326@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh dear. I've heard the molars and eyeteeth are the worst!!! I don't look forward to teething. I'm sorry you're cranky. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cranky-day#post-282321 Tue, 04 Sep 2012 21:32:04 +0000 brownie 282321@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When it rains... it pours. Ugh. I woke up today to a really sore breast (plugged duct? early breast infection?). My LO (16 months old) is smack dab in the middle of a wonder week (so we were up 4 times last night and he isn't napping), he's getting his top canines and he's got bottom molars (the second set) moving around. It's been a cranky day. </p> <p>I just needed to complain and someone here may be able to commiserate. </p>