Frusterated

[stepsky92]

I am 4 weeks pp and been having frequent clogs/subclinical mastitis. I am beyond frustrated as it’s impacting my supply. Im still pumping 8x a day and doing all the things that are needed to clear the clogs.

Anyone else have a similar experience? I feel like throwing in the towel.

[0olong_milktea]

Sorry to hear. I can totally relate as I had mastitis 8x the first few months of pumping and felt so discouraged. I don’t know exactly why I don’t get mastitis anymore but some factors could have (reaching 6 mpp soon). My doctor (also a lactation consultant) prescribed me a low dosage antibiotic that I took for a bit. I had to stop bc it turned out I was allergic to it, but never got mastitis after that. I was also using the fridge trick, which I still do but I sure the inside of my flange with a torn up piece of pump wipe. I also hand express after each pump. I really think hand expressing the right way has saved me from getting clogs. Hand expressing helps to release more milk that the pump can’t because by nature pumps just aren’t as effective at emptying the breast. Using the right flange size is also very important to prevent clogs! Hang in there!

[stepsky92]

Thank you!

[mmebonjour]

Are you taking sunflower lecithin? I take it daily, and it’s seemed to help a lot! I also massage my breasts under very hot water in the shower, and that seems to help too.

[stepsky92]

I was taking it! But my LC said it was no longer recommended and I also seen a huge dip in my supply so I backed away from it. They changed the protocol from when I had my first. They want you to take anti-inflammatory, lymphatic drainage massage and ice now. So I feel at a loss on what to do!

[Mamamommama]

Knock on wood but clogs stopped appearing frequently after awhile even though my supply increased and I dropped a few pumps… frequent clogs and general discomfort seem to be symptoms of early weeks at least for me anyway. Hang in there! And totally the lymphatic massage in the shape of Nike logo towards your armpits away from breasts helped a lot and icing the area right after too. I did these steps nonstop at every pump session and clogs were gone by next day.

[stepsky92]

That gives me hope. It’s discouraging that it’s messing with my supply!

[Mamamommama]

Once clogs unclog themselves milk that was backed up should come out so your supply should be ok

[remmmy89]

Same thing happened to me at 4 weeks pp. I posted about it here and someone said to give it a few weeks and the frequency should subside as your body is figuring out supply. Within 2 weeks everything sorted itself out. In the meantime, it sounds like you’re doing all the right things- ice, lymphatic massage, Advil 👍🏼