Update: I spent last night nursing and applying heat compresses, taking hot showers and massaging like crazy and nothing semed to work. I started feeling like I was getting the flu, my legs and lower back ached, I had chills and a splitting headache. My left breast started showing signs of inflammation. I suspected Mastitis, a breast infection, so this morning I called my doctor with the symptoms. He prescribed an antibiotic which I don’t like to take needlessly, but this time I really need it! Hopefully the medication will help in conjunction with the other methods I’ve been using to alleviate the clog.
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Ouch!!!! I am in major pain right now. I have a clogged milk duct and I’ve been reading about possible remedies. I never had to deal with this when I nursed my first daughter…thank g-d! Here’s what I’ve tried so far:
Frequent Nursing, even though it hurts like hell!
Long Hot Shower while massaging my breast…(I’m sure my husband was sorry to miss that one!)
Nursing on all fours – I googled clogged milk duct and this seemed to be the most common and effective remedy – lay baby on the bed and approach from above, experience with yoga helpful!
Heating pad
More massaging.
More nursing.
And now I’m on to cursing! (This pain only comes second to when I passed a 5mm kidney stone!)
Things I have yet to try:
Poking a small white blister with a needle (I don’t see a blister and probably wouldn’t pop it if I did)
Pain Reliever Medication
Rest (I have a 3 year old and a 4 month old, work part time and it’s tax season for my business…no rest for me!)
Beer or Wine (I am nursing afterall, but am getting pretty desparate…)
As I understand it, if I don’t relieve it soon (3 days), it can turn into Mastitis, a breast infection. I’m already feeling tired and achy. Anyone else out there with this problem? Any suggestions on how to make it go away?
Here’s another list of remedies…they may not relieve the pain but will certainly make you laugh!
http://www.notesfromthetrenches.com/2005/06/23/how-to-deal-with-a-clogged-milk-duct/
Tela, Ouch! Many women went through this is my moms group and they all said that DEEP tissue message was the best as well as heat. Keep up the good work with the website and thanks for posting the cars! Post your progress and what works….am curious.
mandy
This may be too late but for the next time.
Years ago I read a remedy for mastitis in a book titled “The Wise Woman’s Herbal for the Child Bearing Year”.
The remedy was a parsley poultice. Take fresh, frozen or dried parsley in a cloth pocket (in my case a thin cloth diaper or washcloth carefully folded), steep that in boiled water for 5 minutes (like making tea) . Let cool so you don’t get burned then apply the poultice to the affected breast over the sorest spot for 10 or 15 minutes-keep warm. Repeat hourly.
I have had this work within 3 or 4 hours, even when I was running a 102 fever and had aches and chills. Other times it took 5 or 7 applications, but it worked! No drugs, baby easily kept nursing to empty breast.