Slow Down and Nurse or Else!
August 4, 2009 by Angela White, J.D., breastfeeding counselor
Filed under health of the mother
Recently my body sent me a little warning that I needed to slow down. My husband was out of town last week and that left me on my own (with the three kids) for five days. I shuttled the girls to daily swim lessons, weekly library story time, the children’s museum and a playdate. On top of that I made a concerted effort to keep up with the laundry and other housekeeping chores. By the end of the week, the kids were happy, the house was tidy, but I was wiped out and my body told me so! On Saturday I started to notice a sore spot in my right breast. I had a plugged duct, which is my body’s way of kicking itself when I am run down.
The symbolic red flag that says: Slow down or else! (Photo by Jay Simmons)
* I make no medical claims about whether Graprefuit Seed Extract or cranberry supplements work or are in any way appropriate — I am not a doctor, just a breastfeeding mother sharing her attempted home remedies for a plugged duct!
Your Experience with Plugged Ducts
Have you ever gotten a plugged duct (or many over the years like me?) What do you do when you get one? Do you consider it a warning to take better care of yourself? Do you alter your diet, or ditch that underwire bra?
I wrote about my experiences with blocked ducts and milk blisters on my blog (http://blissfule.me/index.php/2008/08/breastfeeding-challenges-blocked-ducts-and-milk-blisters/) It’s one of the most searched-for posts on my site, so we can’t be the only ones who have suffered this fate!
You’re right, it is so important to listen to our bodies and slow down. Sometimes I find life as a breastfeeding mother incredibly slow, but it does allow me to appreciate all those magical little moments that would otherwise slip through my fingers like so many grains of sand.
I’ve only had a plugged duct once with my three kids (guess I live in the slow lane LOL). What really helped me was changing nursing positions from my usual (cradle) to the football hold. It cleared up in a few days by doing that.
I’m so glad I read this post today because right now I am in the exact same position. My daughter is 15 months old and I haven’t had a blocked duct in many many months (maybe even a year!). But last night, I felt one coming on, took a nice hot shower and went to sleep. To make a long story short, that remedy didn’t work this time for me like last time, so I took the day off work today, took my baby to day care, and am now resting at home. I’m going to make a rice sock right now! I’m just praying this doesn’t turn into mastitis.
I think the speed of life contributed to this, but also we are attempting to night-wean our baby so that she doesn’t use me as the all-night buffet anymore. Those plans are now on hold!
Lacey, I hope you feel better soon! I hadn’t had a plugged duct in a long time either and it took me by surprise. Good for you for taking the day off work to rest up.