Thursday, July 12, 2007
Plugged Ducts
I know that plugged ducts are common in the first few months or so postpartum due to engorgement but I've been getting them quite often even now. (About once a week) NJ will be 7 months old next week. He is eating regularly and nursing just as much as he was before solids. It usually happens on the left side, but occasionally on the right. I never skip feedings or anything and if I have to be out during a feed, I use a hand pump around the time that NJ would nurse. It has never turned into mastitis but it is painful and a drag to take care of. I usually have to apply wet hot compresses on the area and massage it and/or pump in addition to offering that side to NJ first each time. Is it normal to get plugged ducts even at 7 monts post partum, and as often as once a week? I am thinking about contacting a LC as well but just wanted to know what you all thought first.
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6 comments:
I had plugged ducts all the way up until Chloe was weaned but not as common as every week though. My friend dealt with full-blown mastitis at least once a month so I guess it happens even after 7 months bf. Is the hand pump flange (cup) appropriately sized for you? I remember the LC telling me that if you don't get a breast pump that fits your anatomical shape, then you could aggravate plugged duct problems. Skipping the hand pump for a short time might help to relieve the symptoms. Also are you wearing any tight-fitting clothes or underwire bra that might be be compressing a duct? The LC also suggested to nurse in various positions so that way milk is drawn evenly from the breast.
Oh ya, I have had to deal with it until I stopped nursing. Mine even turned into mastitis, and I would feel like I had the flu, but I never got meds I would just continue to nurse like crazy on that side.
Surprisingly I haven't gotten it with Bailey (knock on wood) but it's only a matter of time really! lol
You are doing the right thing though, if you feel that twinge just nurse like crazy on that side.
It's a left side thing:) Seriously though....it's weird that you and I have had all our BFing issues on our left side! My right side generally goes well. In fact, most of my nursing woes post applies about 75% to my left side....only 25% to my right side:)
I haven't run into plugged ducts....except in the very beginning. I was religious about daily pumping off the extra for the first 4 months, so I'm wondering if that helped. Since 5months and on, I don't pump unless I have to.
I still get plugged ducts too, and Kathryn's 10 months old now! I asked by midwife about it, and she said that as long as you don't have a high fever for more than 24 hours and as long as you don't have redness and a lump, its not infected and you just have to ride it out. You definitely want to nurse the side that is blocked first even though it hurts like crazy. Babies suck hardest when they're hungriest, so starting on the sore side will help unblock it sooner. Pumping always irritated mine for whatever reason.
And speaking of left sides...Kathryn has a strong preference for my right over my left, so my left doesn't produce as much. How random that you, me, and Jill all have left side issues!
i had plugged ducts like 3 times a week for the first 8 wks of nursing Rhett. i understand your frustration completely. they hurt like heck and are a pain in the neck to get rid of. if i ever get a plugged duct again it will be too soon.
my LC recommended using various positions when i nurse just like someone else recommended. also, some people are more prone to them than others.
there is a supplement that i had to take to get rid of mine. it was my magic pill. it is Lecithin. BUT, i remember all of NJ's allergies and Lecithin is soy. maybe that's why you are getting them, you doh't get enough soy. really, i have no idea but that just came to me as a possibility to consider.
i would recommend calling your LC and asking for advice. i just spoke to mine today on a problem i'm having. i think i have spoken to mine so much i could call and say, "hi, it's me again." :)
i had it plugged at the beginning but it went away after 3 months, unless I skipped a feeding or 2 later without pumping. I'd talk to a LC to see whats up. Maybe you're just blessed with lots of milk (esp. if it's just one side, maybe the baby didn't drain it well, my good side is right side, so left side gets engorged sometimes :)
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