Milk blisters and clogged ducts

[kim22]

Hello if anyone is around. I have a 7 month old and for the past month, I keep getting a clogged duct in the same spot. It backs up into my armpit and hurts so bad I can barely move my arm. I noticed a small white blister on my nipple and I have to peel it open every time I feed/pump or else the clog comes back. Any experience/suggestions on getting the blister to heal without continuing to clog?

[vvvvvfee]

Jul 25, 2018 16:46:32 GMT -6 kim22 said:

Hello if anyone is around. I have a 7 month old and for the past month, I keep getting a clogged duct in the same spot. It backs up into my armpit and hurts so bad I can barely move my arm. I noticed a small white blister on my nipple and I have to peel it open every time I feed/pump or else the clog comes back. Any experience/suggestions on getting the blister to heal without continuing to clog?

try the steps here: kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mother/nipplebleb/

particularly lecithin supplements- 2 capsules up to 4 times per day or 1 tbsp of granules per day. id also try the soaking- hot baths with epsom salt. have LO nurse in the bath. if you can feel where the clog is you can try using an electric toothbrush or vibrator on the spot to help break up the clog. take advil and drink tons of water.

try to think of any physical causes for the clog, too- does your bra dig in in that spot? your seatbelt? do you wear your purse on that side? do you sleep on that side or end up on your stomach in the MOTN?

although, looking at your post again, if you've been dealing with this for a month, maybe you want to see your dr and see if antibiotics or antifungals are warranted- maybe there's something else going on here that needs treating.

hope you feel better soon!

[moutonrouge]

I had a recurring milk bleb for a few months. I found a warm Epsom salt soak (I dissolved a little in a small plastic cup of water and leaned over/into it) with water as hot as you can stand it helped immediately. You can also pour hot water on a washcloth/rag and hold that on your nipple until it cools.

I'd follow that with pumping, since the pump seemed to resolve the clog and suck out the blocked milk best. A few times I used hand compressions, but the pump was a lot simpler and less painful. With the pump, I'd have it on for 2-5 minutes, then check on progress (basically, if the milk bleb was still there, I kept pumping). While the pump was on, I'd use my hands to massage my breasts and help break up the clog.

The lactation consultant I saw then said if it kept coming back, I most likely never really resolved the clog. Milk ducts travel in random weird directions, so massage all sides of your breasts to make sure you're attacking the clog fully.

[grumpycat]

I know it hurts, but when I got a bleb or a clogged duct, I always nurse on that side first and just let ds2 hang out for as long as he wants even if he's sleep-eating. I also take Advil and massage like crazy.