I have had what I think is a clogged duct. I have had breast pain for the past 36ish hours. It's actually getting better but it's still sore. Unlike some clogged ducts I have had this one seems really deep and I just can't seem to locate exactly where it is. It's more just sore in one whole area (under side of the breast). It's been like that from the beginning. Like engorged but localized rather than knotty, kwim?

So, last night I was trying to get rid of it and I was hand expressing in the bath tub while the bb was under water. From all but one spot the milk was just coming out as liquid. From the one spot it was coming out as mucusy strings. Depending on how long I compressed/ expressed determined the length of the string. At one point I had one that was more than 12 inches long. It just kept coming out that way. The average string was 1-2" long. I felt like I could be there all night getting the same thing. So, here's my question (finally )- was I getting the clog out? I don't want to go back and keep doing that if it doesn't make sense. If I do keep doing it will it eventually stop producing the stringy milk and produce regular milk? Will that mean the clog is gone?

Like I said, it feels better this morning but not perfect. Was I making progress?

It was getting uncomfortable to squeeze it that much too. I know all the books say to be gentle so you don't damage the tissue so I am a bit worried about my strategy. I just haven't had luck with the pump when it comes to getting this stringiness out.

Might I add that I own 3 of the most popular bf'ing books and none of them had anything about the strings but kellymom does. gotta love km!
kellymom.com :: Plugged Ducts and Mastitis

Thanks for any thoughts!

Beth

__________________
ds #1 6/02 and ds #2 12/07

I saw this ealier and was oping someone woulhave an answer for you.

Im n sure what the stringy stuff is...You may want to call a LC. It does sound like you have a clogged duct depi there and it will work its way out. Keep massaging and compressing it.

__________________
Patty 37
DW Julie 40
"domestically partnered" since 1994

My keyboard HATES me! Sorry there are so many letters and spaces missing from that post sometimes my keyboard does not recognise when I hit a key. It is really annying!

Anyway, I was trying to say I dont know what the stringy stuff is and it does sound like a deep clugged duct. I would call an LC about the discharge though...

__________________
Patty 37
DW Julie 40
"domestically partnered" since 1994

Im not an expert, but IMO you had a clogged duct and you were able to work it out. The stringy stuff was probably what was building up behind the clog and was probably a mixture of milk and mucus/puss.

Keep drinking TONS of water and try to have DS nurse in different positions. I hope its gone now!

__________________

Co-Host of Born in June 2007

Yup, I think the stringy stuff was the plug coming out. That's what happens with me. BTW, the baby won't even notice it when they eat it (at least mine never had), I didn't even know that could happen because they always sucked it right down, LOL. Your breast will probably be a little sore for a couple of days, but it should be just fine now. I had a really, really deep plugged duct a few weeks ago that took me a couple of days to work out. I could feel that sucker moving through my breast It was really weird - it stopped in the sinuses right next to my nipple at one point and I could feel it sitting there. I couldn't get Irene on it fast enough

__________________

Yea, Ive never seen it either. I get a plug in the same place about once a month. R boob top side so I just rub rub rub while a baby feeds and it is usually gone within a few feeds. had no idea that is what it would look like, the girls dont seem to mind though.

__________________
Patty 37
DW Julie 40
"domestically partnered" since 1994

yup, that was/is a plug/clogged duct, keep massaging, and it'll be completely gone.

you may want to add lecithin as a supplement to your diet to help keep plugs at bay, also, not wearing underwire bras and doing anythign to put pressure on that one spot is recommended.

what books do you have btw?

__________________

Me? books? Womanly Art of Breastfeeding and Breastfeeding Companion also alot of internet..kellymom etc

My clog always happens on the top so there is no pressure ever on it??

__________________
Patty 37
DW Julie 40
"domestically partnered" since 1994

you may wanna have the twins nurse upsidew down while you're laying down., have the chin pointed towards the spot to help drian it better.

op, which 3 books?

__________________

Sorry for not checking back sooner! The stringy stuff must have been the problem b/c after a few more sessions I was able to get it all out. The soreness lingered a bit for the rest of the day but I've been fine since. Yay! It was just the strangest thing. I figured it was the clog.

Books I have:
"Bestfeeding" a hand me down from my SIL from years ago and it helped me a bunch w/ ds1
the La Leche League book
"The Nursing Mother's Companion"
as well as "The Baby Book" by Dr. Sears and a few other books that are baby care books w/ bf'ing info

I was so happy to avoid mastitis!

ETA- I did buy lecithin but have yet to take it. Thanks for the reminder.

Thanks for all the replies.

Beth

__________________
ds #1 6/02 and ds #2 12/07