I am on Day 3 of breast-feeding this new little guy. So far it is going even better than I expected, but now that my milk is coming in, my left armpit is engorged. Nothing I'm doing while feeding, massaging, ice packs, is helping. Baby doesn't seem to be able to get that milk out and it hurts!
How did you manage the engorged period? How long did it last for you? Tips for surviving it?
watermelon / 14467 posts
I wonder if it's a plugged duct? Have you tried pumping that side while he nurses on the other side?
honeydew / 7230 posts
That's where I always get plugged ducts. How is his latch? Do you think he's effectively emptying your breast?
I'd try taking a hot shower and massage it like crazy. Then have him nurse on the affected side the second you get out. If he isn't a strong nurser yet, pump too. My son could always get plugged ducts clear, but my daughter is a less enthusiastic nurser and couldn't ever move the clogs. Drinking a lot of water and getting rest (which I realize is impossible right now) is also supposed to help. Good luck! Plugged ducts are awful!
pomelo / 5678 posts
Even if you do everything correctly, you can get plugged ducts! Super hot showers help a lot, and nurse it like crazy!
pomegranate / 3355 posts
massage, massage, massage the sore spot. massage while nursing, massage while pumping. happened to me a few times and this worked like a charm
pomegranate / 3350 posts
I had this both times that my milk came in. I got this huge lump in my armpit that was SO sore. I kept massaging it with warm wet washcloths. Honestly, it just took time and eventually went away. It really hurt for several days and then got progressively better but was still noticeable for a week or more.
clementine / 770 posts
I had quite a few clogged ducts as well. Hot showers and massaging while in there helped a bit. As well as heating pads and massaging right before nursing.
But what worked the absolute best was nursing with my breast hanging down in to her mouth... I wish I could describe this better, I got the idea from Google. you pretty much lay your baby on the bed crouch over them and dangle the breast into their mouth and have them nurse like that. Not the easiest thing to do and you'll look a bit weird but it cleared the duct every time.
pear / 1503 posts
In my breastfeeding class they recommended switching to a football hold at least once a day to get at the ducts on the outer side if the breast. No idea if it works, but I thought I'd pass it on to try, in addition to the excellent advice you are getting from others. I'm a FTM and not due til April, so take it for what it's worth.
blogger / coconut / 8306 posts
That's where I got my first clogged duct with Chloe! I felt like I had a golf ball under my right arm & it hurt so much to even put my arm down, and felt awkward to extend it.
I was told to massage while pumping, massage while nursing, massage while in the shower, and do heat packs.
It eventually worked itself out in a few days, but I do remember it being awkward and uncomfortable and somewhat painful - and it startled me because I had no idea you could get a clogged duct in your armpit!
I'm 5m into BFing Charlotte & I've run into a few clogged ducts on that same side!
hostess / watermelon / 14932 posts
Omg I have the same! Ice packs - it'll go away. Takes a couple days. Mine is gone now.
hostess / watermelon / 14932 posts
Also, FWIW, I get tons of blocked ducts (both kids - already have had 2 w/C!!) and it wasn't one. Just weird haha. The ice helped - I would keep replacing the ice pack throughout the day.
pomegranate / 3601 posts
My breast was super hard and really painful on day 3-5 too. Turned out it was mainly lymph and not milk though. What helped is what @sorrycharlie: said - keep it nice and cold and warm the breast up before nursing.
grapefruit / 4006 posts
There was milk in my armpits too. I didn't do much though, it just went away over a few days. I just kept massaging my breast towards the nipple to make sure the milk was flowing properly.
grapefruit / 4800 posts
Sorry, that's painful. Sometimes it helped to massage while nursing or i would take a warm shower and massage the sore area while expressing some milk. Hope it clears up soon!
pomelo / 5093 posts
I have nothing to add, but I want to hug you, because that sounds terrible.
cherry / 240 posts
@Astro Bee: I agree with football hold! They say where baby's chin is located is where it clears the milk best. So in cradle hold they get more from the inner side and football hold they will get more from the outside of the breast. I tried to mix it up every once in awhile to make sure everything cleared out. No clogged ducts and we are over 5 months in now.
apricot / 409 posts
Oh no, you poor thing I feel you! Clogged ducts make me go crazy. I second the football hold since it's by your armpit. Also lots of massage and hand expressing after baby is done nursing. Or pumping to start the milk going and hand expressing and massaging at the engorged area. This may sound weird but you might want to try placing a cabbage leaf on the engorged spot. It doesn't take the lump away but does kind of make it feel better.
blogger / nectarine / 2600 posts
I always get one in my right arm pit. It hurts so much. I massage it a lot and try to nurse more from that side more if I can. Hot showers and massages and time are usually the only thing that helps me. It usually last a few days but the swelling goes down as does the pain usually after like 2-3 days and then it slowly disappears on its own. It only happens when my milk first comes in thankfully but boy it hurts!
clementine / 927 posts
I had that and then it became a plugged sect followed by mastitis. Hot shower, massage, pump and watch closely for signs of mastitis.
pear / 1696 posts
@Mrs. Confetti: Like others have said, lots of massage and hot showers are great. If it could be a plugged duct then warmth is better then ice. Get a microwavable warm pack and keep the area warm as much as possible. And keep massaging. If it doesn't get better soon, you could look into PT resources in your area. There are physical therapists that do ultrasound treatment for moms with plugged duct issues.
Also be careful not to sleep on that side and don't wear and shoulder or messenger bags with can put pressure on your milk ducts.
persimmon / 1168 posts
Aw I had this too, it was a clogged duct. Rest up as much as you can, go to bed with the baby all day if possible. The lactation nurse told me it was the body's signal telling us mamas to get some rest.... so hard with a newborn.
I was also told not to pump but always offer that side first and switch up positions you hold the baby in (cross cradle to football or vice versa)
feel better! 
blogger / pomegranate / 3491 posts
I wish I wasn't too sleep deprived to hit reply to each and every one of you. Thank you so much for the help. I don't think it is quite a clogged duct yet - still just "milk coming in day" uber Engorgement, but switching holds, cold packs and super frequent nursing on thAt side seem to be helping. Not quite out of the woods but a little better. Man, I am rusty on this BFing stuff after a two year break.
pomegranate / 3601 posts
@Mrs. Confetti: ahhh glad to hear it is getting better. But isn't it funny how so much of the other things like how to hold a newborn etc are coming back kind of automatically? Crazy instincts...
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