Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Magic Titty is Broken

It was a very normal routine last night:
  • breast feed at 4:30pm
  • bath at 5:15pm
  • bottle of BM at 5:30pm (yes, we try to fatten them up like foie gras in the evening)
  • in bed by 6pm
I pumped at 7pm, didn't get as much as usual, but thought nothing of it.
Ate dinner, took a shower and went to bed at 8:30pm.
Boys woke up at 11pm (they usually wake up anywhere between 10-11pm)
Gave them a formula bottle, got up to pump.
While pumping, again noticed I didn't get nearly as much as usual.
Got back into bed and realized the magic titty on the right was broken.
As in HUGE and FULL of lumps and PAINFUL.

Back out to the living room and Dr. Google.
Self Diagnosis is Clogged Milk Duct.
Crap. Apply ice while researching cures.

Took a midnight hot shower and massaged broken magic titty.
Felt marginally better and went back to bed.
Woke up again at 2:30am, nursed them both on the broken titty and had to run and get a backup bottle as not enough was coming out.
Pumped again, applied ice.

Repeated the same thing in the morning, breast feed, pump, hot shower, massage.
This time I got out the heating pad and laid down with it for an hour.
Then when it was time to feed them again, I massaged the broken titty as I fed them.

It hurts SO bad. It's huge and lumpy and engorged. It hurts to raise my arm. I can't lift a baby without major pain. I am out of commission today and trying to let HN and Chicken do everything while I breast feed, pump and rest.

I am getting a little less than an ounce every time I pump on that side and the baby does stay on for about 5 minutes before becoming frustrated, so I know something is coming out, but not much.
Any words of advice? Anything else I could/should be doing? How long to expect this to last?
My boys want their magic titty back soon.

12 comments:

Rachel said...

No brilliant advice to offer but I used to fill a sock with rice and microwave it for about 30 seconds (add a few drops of water so you don't burn anything) and then keep it on the breast (and in my tight sports bra) non-stop. It holds the heat really well and allows you to move a bit more than a heating pad. Also used to pump for a -long- time on the clogged side.

Heather said...

I would skip the ice and only apply heat. When I get a clogged duct, I apply heat, massage where I feel the lump(s) and pain (massage toward the nipple to try to work the clog out) and nurse, nurse, nurse and pump, pump, pump until the clog comes out and the milk is flowing freely again. (Sweet relief!) It sounds like you're doing these things already. It also helps me if I change up the positions the baby is on the breast, so the strongest suction pulls where the clog is. One thing to watch out for: mastitis. If you start to get a fever or chills or if the clog is not freed and you're still feeling lots of pain after a day or two, check with your doc in case you need an antibiotic.

Anonymous said...

You poor woman. No advice, just hoping it resolves soon! (My right breast is also my super producer :)

Anonymous said...

The doula who taught our classes (she was awsome and has been a doula for freakin ever)recommended the following:

Get a large bowl and place it on a kitchen table. Fill it full of the warmest/hottest water your skin can handle. Stand over the bowl and dangle BT (broken titty) into the water for... I can' remember how long but a long while. She said the warm water and gravity will surely clear the duct.

Sounds miserable! I hope something clears it up SOON.

SP said...

Hi, again.
I second the advice that you sue the warm (really warm) water-in-a-bowl method. Don't use ice, as it is a vaso-constrictor. Also, buy some soy lecithin and take it (1300 mg, I think) like 3 or 4 times a day; it thins the milk, so it comes out easier.

If it doesn't resolve itself in a few days, or your breasts get hot or you show signs of infection-like a fever- go to the doctor, cause it might be mastitus. DO NOT ALLOW anyone else to "help" massage your breast; I let a nurse do it, and now I produce nothing from that breast.

Good luck ; I had this problem very early on.

Jen said...

oh that sounds miserable! I second the heat only. You can also buy gel breast pads that you microwave and stick them in your bra. If it stays too bad for for long, it will jsut become worse, so go to the doc if it doesn't heal on it's own. Good luck and best wishes to broken titty.

K J and the kids said...

I SOOO remember those. ugh. I hope you don't get an infection.

So I found something interesting and you might want to check for it.
When I had constant clogged ducts on the same breast I had googled and found something that I'll share with you now.

Look on your nipple. Is there a big white looking zit type thing on your nipple ? If you press on it does it seem to grow in size. If so you may have what's called a milk blister.
You can use a sterilized needle to pop it. It doesn't hurt as bad as you think. Good luck with whatever will help you.

Inlocoparentis said...

This exact same thing has happened to me about 5 times - every time I go too long during the day without pumping. The only thing that works for me is standing in the shower and scraping a comb across the lumps - hard - and then pumping right after. It SUCKS, but so far has worked everytime. I found this solution on a bf website.

Inlocoparentis said...

PS: Shower must be hot hot hot.

B and D said...

Warm compresses, massage, and nurse or pump as much as you can. No ice. And ditto on watching out for mastitis symptoms. I hope it unplugs soon!!

Next in Line said...

I second the popping with a pin. I have had a plugged duct twice and pumped, nursed, hot, cold, massage and everything under the sun. My breast only got bigger. Finally I followed what Dr. Google said and found that little white spot and popped it. Milk poured out. My LC says they don't recommend it, but I think it saved me from mastitis. They concern is introducing infection, but I figure all the milk pouring out would clean it out more than enough.

Hope you are feeling better soon sweetie.

Two Moms, Two Monkeys said...

This still happens to me every month or so, I have no idea why my best guess is that with twins you produce so much more so any tiny change in schedule can throw you for a loop.

I usually set my pump to the highest setting and massage from your chest plate to the nipple as firm as you can. It hurts and will feel sore for a while but it helps break up the plug. Pump as long as you can until you feel the lumps go down. If that doesn't work you may have to express by hand. The best place is in the shower. Take a hot shower massage and then lean over so that gravity helps you as you express by hand (google it and you can see how you are supposed to do it).

Hope this helps!