https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 12 Apr 2026 02:31:23 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lump-in-one-breast#post-2803506 Sun, 11 Feb 2018 13:35:14 +0000 periwinklebee 2803506@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SweetiePie: yes! I’m hoping that plus constantly switching up positions will do the trick in avoiding clogged ducts as much as possible... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lump-in-one-breast#post-2803475 Sun, 11 Feb 2018 10:26:09 +0000 SweetiePie 2803475@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@periwinklebee: did you start the lecithin yet? It truly does help! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lump-in-one-breast#post-2803474 Sun, 11 Feb 2018 10:19:37 +0000 periwinklebee 2803474@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SweetiePie: so much better, and so far no more clogged ducts. For the time being at least supply seems to be evening out. </p> <p>For the record, having dh help with it was much less gross than we were expecting. :silly: He just gave a couple of separate sucks and didn’t get any letdown. So the cup he had ready to spit into was totally unnecessary :wink: I thought at first it didn’t work - but wasn’t gonna have him try anything more involved - but after that I was able to much more easily massage it out... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lump-in-one-breast#post-2803426 Sat, 10 Feb 2018 19:50:38 +0000 SweetiePie 2803426@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@periwinklebee: how are you feeling?</p> <p>@gingerbebe: I have to admit when you said have DH suck it out I was like 😳 and then @periwinklebee: said it worked...and now I just saw this! So I guess it’s really a thing 😂<br /> <a href="https://www.self.com/story/kristen-bell-had-dax-shepard-nurse-from-her-breast" rel="nofollow">https://www.self.com/story/kristen-bell-had-dax-shepard-nurse-from-her-breast</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lump-in-one-breast#post-2803425 Sat, 10 Feb 2018 19:48:52 +0000 SweetiePie 2803425@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LCTBQE: sorry i didn’t see this till now. No I had the medela one! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lump-in-one-breast#post-2802676 Wed, 07 Feb 2018 12:09:03 +0000 DesertDreams88 2802676@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@periwinklebee: I think clogged ducts were just part of the process, moreso in the beginning. Mine were usually linked with something like long, solid sleep on one side or a "hit" to my breast, anything that would temporarily "smoosh or damage the breast tissue. By 6 months in, if anything happened that caused breast pain, I'd instantly have the reflex thought, "There will be a clog there tomorrow..." and there would be. Like I said though, it was more in the beginning...like maybe 1 a week for weeks 0-6, then MAYBE 1 a month after that? or every other month. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lump-in-one-breast#post-2802673 Wed, 07 Feb 2018 12:00:34 +0000 periwinklebee 2802673@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ugh, I can feel a hard painful lump forming in the same place in the other breast, which has also been quite engorged. Ugh, breastfeeding sucks, I would take morning sickness, or even contractions, over this, ouch...</p> <p>@LCTBQE: @DesertDreams88: Thanks! I'm going to check for clogged pores... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lump-in-one-breast#post-2802666 Wed, 07 Feb 2018 11:37:01 +0000 DesertDreams88 2802666@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>All the tips above are great, especially Lucie's List. Two tips I didn't see above but worked for me:<br /> 1) Have DH massage the area while you're nursing. SELF-massage AND holding a newborn for nursing is difficult.<br /> 2) To add onto @gingerbebe: 's tip about exfoliation - with most of my clogs, I could visibly see what looked like a small white clogged pore on my nipple. I would focus on getting that out, like a blackhead in a sense, and then BAM milk would come spurting out like fountain. Have a bottle of something ready, often I'd get 1-2oz just that way! haha. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lump-in-one-breast#post-2802665 Wed, 07 Feb 2018 11:31:48 +0000 LCTBQE 2802665@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SweetiePie: @gingerbebe: wow, sold. sweetiepie did you have the same Avent one?</p> <p>@periwinklebee: YAYYYYYY re decent nighttime sleep!!! that is a blessing. your supply will even out in a few weeks and the engorgement won't be so bad. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lump-in-one-breast#post-2802661 Wed, 07 Feb 2018 11:23:08 +0000 gingerbebe 2802661@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LCTBQE: Word, I love my Avent manual pump - it can really suck it out and it was great when I was weaning and needed to just release some pressure quickly. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lump-in-one-breast#post-2802658 Wed, 07 Feb 2018 11:01:35 +0000 SweetiePie 2802658@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LCTBQE: they’re so inexpensive (relatively) and CONVENIENT! For travel or on the go or whatever. I actually discovered mine in the hosptial while DS was in the nicu. I had the hosptial pump and for some reason tried the manual I had stashed in my bag juuuust in case. I got SO MUCH colostrum from the manual, the nurses couldn’t believe it.<br /> It’s especially helpful when you’re ready to wean. Much easier to “pump to comfort” with the manual than the electric, IMO. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lump-in-one-breast#post-2802655 Wed, 07 Feb 2018 10:58:13 +0000 periwinklebee 2802655@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SweetiePie: @LCTBQE: thanks! Yeah I’ve found I get more output with the hand pump. Which I only broke out when step 1 with the electric was charge for 24 hours. I will keep working on it, I have this completely irrational fear of mastitis now as I feel like this is hard enough when I feel fine....baby actually sleeps relatively well and is a lazy eater at night, I’m so grateful he has decent nighttime sleep but I wake up feeling so engorged ... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lump-in-one-breast#post-2802632 Wed, 07 Feb 2018 10:11:05 +0000 LCTBQE 2802632@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SweetiePie: yeah everyone says this about a manual pump! I never got one because I'm averse to bringing extra plastic shit into the apartment, but I think I'm going to spring for one next time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lump-in-one-breast#post-2802628 Wed, 07 Feb 2018 10:01:22 +0000 SweetiePie 2802628@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LCTBQE: Yes agree! Pump if you can’t get baby to nurse that side, even if it seems like it might be resolved.<br /> Also for me a manual pump worked better for some reason. It just felt like it had more suction and I could do it really slowly to really suck it out. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lump-in-one-breast#post-2802625 Wed, 07 Feb 2018 09:42:26 +0000 LCTBQE 2802625@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@periwinklebee: sounds like you are getting there. I'm sure this varies from person to person, but my clogged ducts used to take two or three days to calm down and even out. keep trying with the nursing and pumping. I know everyone always says nursing is much more effective than pumping, but pumping can't hurt if your boo is rejecting the affected breast (happened to me more than once) xx </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lump-in-one-breast#post-2802623 Wed, 07 Feb 2018 09:32:13 +0000 periwinklebee 2802623@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So I think I tried all of these awesome tips. When I tried putting my baby to that breast first over several feedings he screamed at the top of his lungs until I gave him the other breast, I think the clog was affecting let down and he wasn’t happy. Tried lots of hand expression and out of desperation tried @gingerbebe: suggestion to have dh help. That spot is still a bit red and swollen but doesn’t feel engorged and that breast is back to leaking like usual so I think it may be resolved with just a bit of residual swelling from all the massage I did to try to work it out? I hope...</p> <p>I have sunflower letchitin now and may try a larger band size for my nursing tank; though it didn’t seem too tight. Did anyone find clogged ducts were indicative of a problem with latching, etc or just part of the process? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lump-in-one-breast#post-2802593 Wed, 07 Feb 2018 01:32:59 +0000 mrs.kiwi 2802593@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Echo all of the above. Adding one more tip that wasn’t mentioned.. wear loose fitting clothes (in the breast area) and not tight. One other thing is putting a heat pack on the lump. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lump-in-one-breast#post-2802567 Tue, 06 Feb 2018 20:59:46 +0000 crazydoglady 2802567@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@periwinklebee: Try laying baby on your bed and nurse baby from overhead on all fours. I know it sounds weird but this position is supposed to help because it works with gravity. And massage at the same time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lump-in-one-breast#post-2802554 Tue, 06 Feb 2018 19:58:38 +0000 gingerbebe 2802554@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ugh plugged ducts.</p> <p>Exfoliate your nipple with a washcloth to make sure any excess built-up skin and milk crust is pulled off the face of the nipple and then hand express really hard/well in a hot shower and look down at your nipple while you're doing it so you can ensure that milk is shooting out of all of the openings. If you see milk shooting everywhere but one pore is dribbling, you'll know where to exfoliate some more. Sunflower lecithin is super key.</p> <p>Also, if nursing and hand expressing wont unclog it, see if your husband will suck on it as hard as possible. Its effective and fast - you will feel a little pop and he may notice a gush. I also slept with a small heating pad under my boobs for a while - the warmth kinda helped things stay loose in there for me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lump-in-one-breast#post-2802517 Tue, 06 Feb 2018 16:39:41 +0000 periwinklebee 2802517@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@IRunForFun: Thank you! It is red but I just took my temperature and its normal, so hopefully nothing infected. It made me a bit nervous since it's also on the side where I had a cracked nipple, which I know increases the risk of infection, so I'll just keep an eye on my temperature. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lump-in-one-breast#post-2802508 Tue, 06 Feb 2018 16:19:54 +0000 IRunForFun 2802508@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@periwinklebee: If it's a plugged duct just be aware that the area can feel tender/bruised for a few days after it clears - that's normal. As long as the lump goes away and there's no major redness (especially in a wedge shape) and you have no fever! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lump-in-one-breast#post-2802497 Tue, 06 Feb 2018 15:53:41 +0000 periwinklebee 2802497@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SweetiePie: @skinnycow: @snowjewelz: @Shantuck: @Littlebit7: @Portboston: Thank you all - so helpful! I think this was the problem and it's starting to get a little better. And really good to know that pumping doesn't work so well for resolving it and about sunflower lechitin - which I just ordered - and changing positions. </p> <p>@LCTBQE: that article is awesome, thanks! </p> <p>@bhbee: @Littlebit7: Ugh, mastitis sounds awful... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lump-in-one-breast#post-2802475 Tue, 06 Feb 2018 14:53:55 +0000 Portboston 2802475@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Agree with above. Pumping never helped me with clogged ducts, only nursing. If you can’t get it unclogged, try nursing on all fours hanging your boob into babies mouth. It might not work with such a young babe but it’s worth a shot. Gravity is a huge help with that one! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lump-in-one-breast#post-2802466 Tue, 06 Feb 2018 14:33:09 +0000 Littlebit7 2802466@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Echoing above,<br /> Probably clogged duct. Try to change up your nursing positions too to make sure all parts of the breast are draining. Gentle massage as well before, during and after.<br /> Keep an eye out for red streaking where you have pain. That and feeling awful could mean mastitis (I felt like I had been hit by a truck and the onset was SO fast).<br /> Going forward: sunflower lechitin and continuing to change positions when you nurse. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lump-in-one-breast#post-2802462 Tue, 06 Feb 2018 14:28:02 +0000 Shantuck 2802462@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I took sunflower lechitin to help with clogged ducts and it helped me a lot. You can buy it at most vitamin stores. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lump-in-one-breast#post-2802460 Tue, 06 Feb 2018 14:23:34 +0000 bhbee 2802460@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Agree with above. When I had mastitis my first clue was I felt like I had the flu. If you get a fever call - it was my first/only time to get it but based on my description my OB did not ask me to come in - just called in the rx - since they know it’s hard enough without coming in! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lump-in-one-breast#post-2802457 Tue, 06 Feb 2018 14:22:37 +0000 snowjewelz 2802457@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Probably just a clogged duct. Nursing and KNEAD it HARD! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lump-in-one-breast#post-2802434 Tue, 06 Feb 2018 13:46:53 +0000 skinnycow 2802434@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It's probably a clogged duct. I only had two when nursing but I was able to clear both within 24 hours by nursing on that side every hour (while massaging duct down toward nipple). I warmed the area with a hot washcloth before nursing and iced after nursing. I also took phytolacca (bought mine at Sprouts).</p> <p>Agreed that you should keep an eye on your temperature but otherwise you can probably clear it quickly :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lump-in-one-breast#post-2802433 Tue, 06 Feb 2018 13:44:22 +0000 SweetiePie 2802433@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Could just be a plugged duct. For me nursing broke them up WAY more efficiently than pumping ever did.<br /> Yes to warm shower hitting the boobs and although it hurts, massaging the lump and trying to hand express. </p> <p>If they recur (did for me) start taking lecithin. It helps! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lump-in-one-breast#post-2802430 Tue, 06 Feb 2018 13:42:23 +0000 LCTBQE 2802430@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@periwinklebee: are you subscribed to Lucie's List? remembered this article about clogged ducts she wrote, it is SUPER thorough. worth a read.</p> <p><a href="https://www.lucieslist.com/newsletter/postpartum-week-8-3-big-nasties-nursing/" rel="nofollow">https://www.lucieslist.com/newsletter/postpartum-week-8-3-big-nasties-nursing/</a> </p>