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BF: Breast is hard and lumpy- Blocked duct?
Added: 674 days ago.
Added by: memer
Section: General.
Status: This question is Closed. (Questions will be closed after 10 days.)


I am breastfeeding my 6-month-old. This happened before on my left breast a couple weeks ago and now it seems to be starting on my right. It`s as though a 1/4 section of my breast is hard and lumpy, tender. When it happened before, it got to the point where the mass of hardness felt like bunches of mini-grapes and was tender and eventually travelled all the way to under the surface the nipple. I read that this can be a blocked duct(s) and that you should keep nursing and even pump to help it get flowing again. Also, the last time, just when it seemed to be the worst - it was gone *poof* after a feed and soft again. So - is this just one of those things that happens now and again when you`re nursing? Is there anything to avoid it?

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memer - 672 days ago skydivedoc - you were right. I thought my nipple had a whitespot because of the extra feeding and pumping, like a blister or something, but it was as if the skin grew over the duct opening. Eventually it opened up. I always thought "blocked duct" was happening on the inside!

mommy-ofa-boy - 673 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) Btw i was an over producer

mommy-ofa-boy - 673 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) It happened to me till me son was about 9-10 months old just get used to it man at least it's a fourth it was the entire bottom half of my bood, when you nurse just gently massage it also massage it in the shower allowing hot water to hit the breast to promote milk flow good luck your doing great!

skydivedoc - 674 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) My daughter is 9 months old- this only happened to me once. It sounds exactly like a clogged duct. Mine was terrible & everything you just said didn't work for me. I ended up using a straight pin to open the clog. I looked at the nipple and saw a tiny white dot (like a whitehead.) It didn't hurt to open it & I got 3 ounces out of that one duct!!!! To prevent in the future just be sure to empty your breast completely. If baby doesn't do it, pump. Alternatively, you can put a hot compress on your breasts at night.

jenn1984 - 674 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) it's just one of those things that happens. according to what I've read, and what I've learned from a breast feeding class, all you have to do to relieve it is massage the area during feedings and keep up with the nursing. pumping out "left overs" is a good way to keep the ducts clear. I don't know how to prevent it, though. we never covered that in my breast feeding class, sorry