If you have had mastitis....

[Anonymous]

How big was your clog? I am worried about the size of mine which seems to be enormous (feels like the size of a plum but more oval.

Yesterday I started having intense pain in my breast, a few hours later I developed a fever and body aches. I called my OB who prescribed me antibiotics (which I started yesterday).

As of tonight, I have no fever, no flu symptoms, the pain is less intense, but the mass in my breast is huge and hard. Not sure if this is normal and I just need to let my antibiotics do their thing. Or if I need to be concerned and call the doc back this weekend.

Also, if you have had it, how long did it take to resolve? Thanks

[Anonymous]

I would try to remove the clog by applying some pressure with a warm cloth. (It's been a long time so I can't remember the recommendations). I had mastitis a few times and a lot of plugged ducts, and it always helped to try to unplug them.

[Anonymous]

PP again and it would take maybe 2 days of antibiotics to feel better but make sure to take them all or it comes back.

[Anonymous]

I’m so sorry. When I had mastitis, the antibiotics only helped the flu-like symptoms but did nothing for the clog. After continuing to have intense pain, I rubbed the clog until it released. It was excruciating and sore afterwards, but I immediately felt relief after working it out. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would try to remove the clog by applying some pressure with a warm cloth. (It's been a long time so I can't remember the recommendations). I had mastitis a few times and a lot of plugged ducts, and it always helped to try to unplug them.

God, don’t apply pressure!

Warm cloth yes, going bra less as much as possible, and breast feeding as much as it hurts.

[Anonymous]

Trying to avoid mastitis right now as I’ve got a clogged duct. I’ve read taking sunflower lecithin helps and using warm compresses, and using my hakaa filled with water and Epsom salt to do a soak and unclog the duct which I think helped.

[Anonymous]

Let your baby help you out by nursing from clogged breast first and frequently. This will help your infected milk duct stay empty.

[Anonymous]

Take a warm bath or shower and rub the area. It will hurt like hell but you need to get the clog out. Nurse from that breast to help get the clog out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Let your baby help you out by nursing from clogged breast first and frequently. This will help your infected milk duct stay empty.

This plus warm cabbage leaves worked for me.

[Anonymous]

-sunflower lecithin (you can take a lot at first)
-have baby nurse in new positions/directions
-hot shower and comb on breast

TMI:

I've had a lot of bad clogged ducts and mastitis and what's worked the best for me is basically milking myself, sorry. I get on all fours and massage the clog toward the nipple and hand express. It's an arm workout. I've done it into a bowl so I don't waste the milk.

[Anonymous]

Antibiotics won’t clear the clog. The baby has to do that. After many clogged ducts and Mastitis, I started taking soy lechithin. everyday. Helped a ton.

[Anonymous]

Fill Hakka with epsom salt and water

[Anonymous]

The size of the inflamed area isn’t the size of the clog—it’s inflamed breast tissue. Ibuprofen also helps.

[Anonymous]

This will sound odd, but use gravity if you are able. Have baby lay on the bed and nurse a bit while you hang over the top of the baby. Sometimes the combo of gravity and switching the baby’s sucking position so they are applying pressure differently can loosen up the clog and provide huge relief. It’s so painful, though, until you get rid of the clog! I hope you feel better soon. I’ve also hand expressed into a bowl with some success. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

All great ideas here. The antibiotics kill the infection but won’t dislodge the clog. When mine came out I nearly fainted with pain but instantly felt 100% better. So be careful with nursing over the baby - be ready to fall to the side.