anyone have recurring plugged ducts?

[karaintx]

I'm literally trying to talk myself off the ledge.
I found a small lump on the top of my under arm. I recently weaned DD and I am still full and I think bc I switched to underwire bras I've given myself a plugged duct.
What sucks is my mind goes to the worst. Breast cancer runs in our family and my aunt was recently diagnosed with it and is going thru surgeries and treatments. :*(

Anyone have these? :/

[thtr4me]

I was the queen of plugged ducts with DS1. I did wear underwire bras, and never thought that was the issue. But I have not worn an underwire bra with DS2, and have only had 1 or 2 plugged ducts, and usually because he skipped a feeding (I have oversupply).

If you are able, massage the area of the plug towards the nipple and try to express the excess milk. You can try warm compresses before massaging and expressing as that can help loosen up the plug. Cool compresses when you are not messaging or expressing to relieve pain and inflammation. You can also try cold green cabbage leaves over the plug, which will help pull out the inflammation as well.

[karaintx]

I'm suspecting my bra. :/
I've got the hot rag and massage action happening

[juliabell]

I got them early on a lot - my supply kept going up rapidly. Avoid the underwire bras and take LECITHIN. There's info on kellymom about it. I took it a lot to keep them at bay. I imagine when DS weans, I'll be back on it. They suck, and you need to make sure they get out or they can turn to mastitis! Never tried the cabbage, but I heard good things. So sorry mama

[karaintx]

Thank you. I'm going to see my ob on Wednesday to make sure. :/

I need to get some lechtin as dh forgot it.

[Erinne]

You can also try doing the massage in the shower for the warmth and water, and Wish Garden makes an herbal mastitis remedy that you could start now, just in case.
I think it would be safe to wait a few days or even a week to see if anything changes, but if it doesn't get better, it might be a good idea to get it checked out. I don't want to scare you, but breast cancer does go undiagnosed for longer in b****** women because they assume breast changes are lactating related and don't get checked out as early as they otherwise might have.

[MamandÉlise&Muriel]

I had them often with dd1, none so far (and dd2 is 8 months old). I tried everything from acrobatic nursing in every position humanly possible to massage, hot compress, hot shower and nothing ever worked except finding the plugged pore on my areola and taking a sterile pin to it. It was always instant release and the only thing that ever really worked at clearing the plug.

[kocho]

Ditch the underwire bra for now. Or any binding clothing. Did you wean suddenly or slowly? Slowly is much easier on your body. If you can pump or hand express a little, that will help.

[lilylouhoo]

I get them all the time and am not even wearing an underwire. Last time I did wear one and REALLY had some clogs. I couldn't clear some of them and got mastitis a few times. It's happening often enough that I now have a "bad" boob. lol

I think it's probably just your bra but obviously if it doesn't go ay you should get checked out. Whenever I have one that doesn't clear out quickly I think the same things. I was actually just thinking about it this morning!

[*Alabamamom*]

Hey mama, just letting you know we have a breastfeeding subforum and I will move your post over there so you may get some more responses..