The dreaded mastitis and blocked ducts
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Let me start by saying I LOVE breastfeeding, for the most part. It is one of the most magical, beautiful things I have ever done. However, for many women like me it can be an unexpectedly rough journey. We need more support and it makes me realize that breastfeeding should be accepted publicly so we all can talk about it and see how it’s done before it’s our turn, instead of going in blindly and having no idea what we’re doing. I luckily received amazing guidance from an IBCLC (lactation consultant). Even though I had a rough start and I am prone to blocked ducts and mastitis, I am still grateful I nurse and have gotten to this point 13 months out where it is blissful and so bonding for Gordie and I.
One of the first things that shocked me postpartum was mastitis. Why didn’t anyone tell me about this before!? I thought I had prepared for it all, but I had no idea how to work with this one when it popped up for the first of many times 5 days postpartum. On day 3 my breasts got engorged as usual as they transitioned from colostrum to milk. I think part of the reason why a blocked duct occurred was due to the fact that Gordie was majorly lip and tongue tied. Luckily my midwife noticed immediately as he came screaming wide-mouthed out of the birth canal. He had the laser removal surgery on day 2 and then had to relearn how to suck. Looking back, I think we had latching issues for months. Another contributing factor is I tend to have lymphatic congestion in my axillas and breasts in general.
My breasts were sore in general from the engorgement so I didn’t notice that a blocked duct was forming, and I didn’t even know to look out for one! Then one day within that first week the fever, chills, and body aches hit me like a truck. You know exactly what I mean if you’ve experienced it. It is worse than I ever imagined. I was fine and then all of a sudden I couldn’t move my body without excruciating pain. The worst part is you still have to nurse and/or pump so that the clot can work itself out and not get backed up more - and it hurts like hell to nurse.
Luckily, my midwives had excellent techniques to help. In general, I try to avoid antibiotics for fear of gut disbyosis and other negative side effects. I also know that although rare, mastitis can be dangerous and go septic. I teetered on this edge of wanting to avoid antibiotics like the plague and also I didn’t want sepsis sooo… I tried everything. And it went away. (Please talk to your doctor about whether you need antibiotics or not).
Since then I have had several bouts of blocked ducts and mastitis. I have accepted that I am more prone than most. I now have a regimen I would love to share in case it helps fellow mothers out there.
When I start to feel a soreness in my breast, I jump into action right away.
Shona’s Blocked Ducts/Mastitis Treatment Guide
Sunflower lecithin: (I take one everyday for maintenance and extra for treatment). It’s believed to decrease milk’s viscosity/stickiness, thus preventing clogging.
2. Happy Ducts Tincture: I take this right away throughout the day when I start to feel the blocked duct soreness.
3. Cabbage leaves: This works wonders! I am not sure how, but here is an article explaining some of the science we know about it.
Take off the outer couple of leaves
Cut around and remove the thick part of the stem
Place a cold leaf around your breast inside your bra concentrating on the sore area, avoid placing it directly on the nipple
Wait until it the cabbage leaf wilts (usually 1-2 hours) or leave on overnight
Replace until symptoms subside
4. Hand warmers: I alternate cabbage leaves with hand warmers throughout the day. Place the hand warmer in a sock in your bra directly over the sore area.
5. Haakaa epsom salt hack: THIS IS AMAZINGLY EFFECTIVE!! It is also oddly satisfying to witness the clog coming out into the haakaa.
Fill a haakaa with very warm water
Add a 1 tbs of epsom salt
Suction the haakaa to your breast and let soak for 15 or 20 mins
Repeat the process 2 to 3 hours later if the clog is not drawn out the first time
The clog coming out into the Haakaa
6. Breast massage: very gentle massage of the breast and armpit. I like to do this with the warm shower running on the breast.
7. Change nursing positions: this is so that your baby can create suction from different angles which can help draw it out.
Last but not least, it is VERY important to talk about the mental/emotional layer of mastitis and blocked ducts. When I had my first episode during week 1 of postpartum, my midwife came over and asked me if anything was causing me frustration or upset. I instantly burst out crying and explained the stress and family drama we had around choosing my baby’s name. Her response was that mastitis can be related to the possibility of being looked at critically, not feeling able to speak up, feeling defensive, and/or having “too many cooks in the kitchen”/ lots of people with lots of ideas. I could definitely relate to this and as I released this emotionally and addressed it in reality, my mastitis healed.
It is also VERY related to my gut inflammation. Whenever I get constipated from something inflaming me from my diet, my breast tends to get blocked as well. It is all connected.
Good luck out there! Let me know how it goes.
