Third Time Mom Having Breatfeeding issues...clogged Milk Ducts?

you know what always worked for me?--I'd take a disposable diaper, or 2, get it wet, and then microwave it for a little while-not too long-15 secs? I don't remmeber how long. hot enough, but not scalding. and put those on my breasts. I didn't have to take a shower-they stay hot for a long time-and they suck up all the leaking milk.

I just had my third baby too (12-30-08)! I had the same problem. I pumped and it seemed to be fine after that.
Good luck!

K., Have you tried pumping just to get things flowing? Helped for me! Good luck and hang in there!

Dear K.,

we are in a similar position, I am also a third time mom and keep on having issues with breastfeeding - which was supposed to be the easy part in my mind :) -; taking a hot shower and thinking about your Baby should get the milk flowing. My breasts start letting down when my baby boy cries and I try to relax, even when it hurts; sometimes I close my eyes and picture the milk flowing into his mouth. Relaxing is key! Hope you get rid of the engorgement soon! Best of luck to you!
J.

You're not clogged. This is normal when the milk comes in. If you are uncomfortable, express some off in the shower (or even in the sink) to get some relief. When your son establishes how much he needs, your supply will adjust. You can put a hand towel on your other side (the side he's not nursing on) to catch the drips. It's totally normal. Don't give up!

The other responses are right on. The baby probably can't get latched on your engorged breast. If you don't have a pump, wash hands & breasts (warm shower is great) and manually express into a clean, sterile container. You might let the baby feed on one side (just while engorged) and pump on the other and switch at the next feeding so the baby can get the hind milk.

K., Try warm compresses and pump if you can. Warm showers will also help your milk to letdown. It sounds like you have a ton of milk, so just releasing it will make you feel more comfortable.

Good Luck!
M.

I would honestly try using s breast pump and pumping until you get relief. You can freeze the breast milk if you eant for a later date. I know with my 2nd child I got so engorged he couldn't latch on correctly. Which made it difficult for both of us. You can also try a warm compress on each side to help with the pain. But if you pump it should not only help with the pain it should get the milk flowing. If you don't have a breast pump try taking a hot/warm shower and massaging the milk out by hand.
Good Luck hope this may help a little.Congrats on the new addition to your family.

J. (mother of 3. ages 11,9,3)

I had a clogged breast with my first one. The one thing that opened the flood gates was a margarita! Since I couldn't breast feed, I indulged at a restaurant for Fathers Day and had a drink. I was wearing a gauze dress and no pads since nothing was coming out anyways. No sooner had I finished my drink did my breast start flowing. Very embarrassing, but funny when I look back at it. I had mastitis with my second one and boy you know if there is an infection! My breast was tender and hot to the touch and red and I ran a fever. I needed antibiotics for three days.

A few things that worked for me: 1)Massage in a downward motion over the lumpy, clogged areas while breasfeeding. 2) Massage under warm water in the shower or in the tub. This will all pass before too long! I know it is so sensitive, but massaging will ease the pain dramatically. If it doesn't or if your breast becomes red and inflamed you'll need to see your doctor. Don't want an infection to go untreated!

Pumping might stimulate more milk production and therefore cause more engorgement, so you might try these other tips first.

Good luck!

Congratulations and I wish you much luck with this!!! The only thing that worked for me was heat. At first I ran hot water and soaked a towel to hold on my breats, then I did hot water bottles until I found these gel pack rings at Burlington Coat Factory that you can heat or freeze. That made it much easier to do the massage technique that was recommended. And I would suggest pumping after your baby nurses so that you are emptying at every feeding, lots of work but it should pay off.

If you get a fever and become super exhausted- breast infection, go to doctor immediately!!!

Try hot washcloth, hot showers, and nurse nurse nurse. It is a pain but you will work through it.

C., sleep consultant/sleep blog writer, www.lullabyluna.com

K.,

It sounds crazy but cabbage (not to eat) place cabbage leaves on your breasts! All over them, I tuck it right inside my loose night bra and wear it around for an hour or 2. It totally relieves breast engorgement. Hot bath or shower or hot packs if you feel like they're clogged ducts and even IB Prophin for the swelling. Good luck...I was in the same boat a few weeks ago!

Take a warm shower and massage the milk out. Do NOT start at the nipples. Starting on one side, cup your breast with both hands and press on it from outer breast and continue on until you reach the nipple. The important thing is to mimic the natural way the milk flows, draining from the source, not at the tips (the nipples).

...That helped me! <;-)

With all three children, I had to pump, as well as nurse because I produce too much milk! I was in so much pain! I highly recommend a pump for the first month, using it only to reduce your discomfort and let things even out.

Freeze the milk for use in a few months.

I could, literally, pump 16+ ounces of milk in one session.

When I travel, I take my manual pump, just to ease the pain.
good luck

hey K. congrads. well i breastfeed my son and girl was it huge. well i use a breast pump during the day with a bottle that shape as a regular nipple so that way it can help my breast to breathe. and breastfeed at night. and pump before you go to bed. use the non refill plastic. put it in the freezer. and when you warm it up you place it in the bowl with warm water for the following. make sure the milk you pump is labeled. breast milk is good for 3 days for the freezer. dont forget to put breast pads so you dont leak.

This may really sound silly, but a lactation specalist advised one of my patients (I was a home baby nurse) to put cabbage, yes raw cabbage, leaves in her bra, around her breast for severe ingorgement. Can't hurt. It certainly helped her. Don't eat the cabbage later. I

Dear K.:

Congratulations on your new baby! How exciting!

That does NOT sound like clogged ducts. It sounds like your milk just came in! You just gave birth four days ago and you're right on schedule.

Here's an easy solution: Get in the shower! Let the warm water roll over your chest and you'll notice the milk start to drain. You'll be standing in a pool of milk but it will feel so much better!

This only happens at first when your milk just comes in and the baby hasn't quite caught up with the nursing. He probably can't get a good latch on the engorged, hard breasts anyway so be sure to get in the shower to get them softer and then he can nurse better. Do this every hour and things will quickly sort out...it'll take a couple of days.

After that, nursing will become the easiest part of parenting.

Best wishes,

M.

Phytolacca Decandra : a homeopathic that will help wonders. Totally safe and natural while breastfeeding. Get some! good luck and congrats!

Maybe try a warm shower so some of the milk is out and your breasts are not as hard and then try breastfeeding.

It sounds like you have a lot of milk. Try a hot shower before you feed him.

Pump and massage the clogged area(s). I know it hurts, but you will feel so relieved when you get unclogged. You might have to massage really hard too, but that was what worked for me. I wish you well.

I had this same issue and did everything. Please speak with a doctor before during the following: Afrin, or similar over the counter products open airways, reducing restrictions when it comes to breathing. It has a similar impact with engorement. It opens up the tiny vessels which deliver blood and it allows for milk to flow. I pumped and dumped, because I didn't want anything to hurt my baby after using such a product but it helped. Also, you should only use this for a day or two. Again, speak with your doctor because this is an aggresive step but it helped me, almost immediately and I felt huge relief.

I bought Mammary PMG from a local holistic doctor and within 20 minutes, my breasts were feeling normal. I thought I was going to die with the pressure. I tried cold cabbage leaves in the bra, etc...but even shower water on them made me cry in agony...and I had a homebirth without meds with a 10+ pounder and I remember the engorgement pain far exceeding childbirth!

pumping your breasts and also warm compreses. I remember that and I feel for you, hope all goes well.

Dear K.,
You are certainly a busy mommy:) Congratulations on the new blessing. I had that problem with my breasts after my second son was born, and even developed an infection in one breast...the doctor just said to put warm compresses on them and the express milk to get it flowing and the excess out. He also said to let the baby drink even from the one with infection...I was not given antibiotics. It took a few weeks before what he needed and what my breast made to regulate to be the same (felt I could feed quintuplets:)
I hope that it helps and things go more smoothly....Hang in...the compresses should help.

Congrats on your new baby and your decision to do the best thing for him. Use a heating pad, warm washcloth... ib profren for your breast to help the swelling. Hand express in the shower, but pumping too much will make it worse, supply & demand. Find a breastfeeding group like Le Leche League or something trhough your hospital, you can do it!

K.,
I didn't have that problem but I had others.
Try going to LLLI.org.

That is the international site for La Leche League.
Moms helping moms specifically with breastfeeding info.

Someone has had this prob and worked through it on the site.Hang in there!

Hope that helps.

Thank you so much for breastfeeding!!! You are a Goddess!

Blessings,
Deb

Hi K.:
Have you considered expressing your milk out with a pump or pump-machine. This might help out with the engorgement issue.
Don't forget to take some deep breaths and calm yourself down before starting anything.
Feel Well

I.

Pump and massage the clogged area(s) as you feed or nurse. I had to have someone do it with me as it was too difficult to manage on my own after a c-section. Also massage in circles like you do for a mammogram and go all around the breast.I know it hurts, but you will feel so relieved when you get unclogged. You might have to massage really hard too, but that was what worked for me.

i had to pump and then breastfeed to help get the engorgement away. also, they told me hot shower before or hot compresses. and a bag of peas on the breasts after nursing will help.

K. contact the LaLeche League, they can give you advice on this. I think they will suggest warm compresses. But its best to contact them. They are a wonderful orginization for women dealing with breastfeeding issues. Good Luck..

Congratulations on your new baby!!! AND GOOD FOR YOU FOR BREASTFEEDING!!! That is sooo great!!!!

I read thru all of your responses and I agree with everything suggested. Warm compresses, showers, massages, etc.! One more thing I would like to suggest is... take your babies clothes off and lay him on your bare chest. Just hold him close to you and your milk will start flowing out. It's pretty cool how it happens. Once you've leaked enough to not feel as engorged, try latching him on then.

A far as pumping is concerned, I feel like this early on isn't the best idea because you will be telling your body to make more milk and really this early on your baby should be the one telling your baby how much milk to make.

Best of luck to you!!! In addition to LLL try this website - www.kellymom.com

Both LLL and that site should have all the answers you need! AND as far as books are concerned pick up Dr. Sears's Guide to Breastfeeding!!!!

Best of luck to you!!!!

K.:

You must have that clogged away from the breast. This is how I let the clogged away. I put a warm/hot towel on the clogged part, then massage your breast in circular motion (around your breast). Use a boppy pillow to lay your baby down & while you're breastfed your baby boy, do the massaging & cover the other breast with towel so the milk wont drip to him. Once I had the clogged milk out, I usually use a breast pump to collect the breastmilk from the one that's not used for feeding. So I can ask the nanny or my husband to use the breastmilk in the bottle whenever i am not home. I hope this info help you.

My guess is your milk is flowing just fine! I had the same thing with my last pregnancy. The nurse told me that your body produces even more and better after its done it all before...man did mine! Just keep nursing, use the breast pads for leaking and after a few weeks it should normalize. It took mine until my son was about three weeks old before I was comfortable again...

-M

The same thing (or something very similar) happened to me with both of my babies. Right before it was time to feed them I would put my nipples under warm running water and push on them/rub them to soften them up so they could latch on (because latching on was impossible without doing this as they were so hard). Once they latched on and could suck, the milk came out fine. It took about a week until they were not so engorged anymore. I hope it helps!