Update on my boobs - Fabby NCT BFC

You may have seen my post this morning about being in agony in my left breast (and for the majority of my breastfeeding life!)

Well I took the advice and called the NCT BF line and spoke to a really lovely lady called Dana.  She said it did sound like I have blocked ducts and gave me lots of fabulous advice.  So I am now doing "gravity feeding".  Basically picture I lying on the bed out sideways to my body and me hanging over him danlging my boob into his mouth!   It really is quite comical but ive just fed him and already the boob is relieved.  I now have to put a cold compress on to relieve any swelling and try to massage them (if bearable) above the lumps. 

She then went on to give me loads of advice about making sure his latch is correct which I have always suspected it isnt.  As I have larger breasts (not enormous but sizeable IMO (32F)) she said not to have him tummy to tummy on me but to have his back at an angnle away from me.  Im not to handle the breast to put it in his mouth but to place my hand flat on my ribs underneath and move it up is needed without actually bending the boob.  She also gave me great tips to get him to open his mouth up wider and that due to me having a fast letdown I should take him off after the initial suck and let the first flurry of milk go (into a sterilised cup maybe).  She said often babies dont open their mouths wide enough if Mums have a fast letdown as they are trying to stem the flow. 

Anyway, I thought I would post the detail in case it helps anybody else.  I am now every hopeful that things will improve and one day we can have pain free feeding. 

Thank you so much for all of the advice on here. 

Oh dear, now I have fininshed feeding, my nip is absoultely on fire! I think I may need a trip to the GP to sort this raynauds out!

I meant to reply to your earlier thread but glad you have got some great advice. Massage the lumps as you are feeding - i had blocked ducts just a few days ago having not had any problems since the first couple of months (A is 7 months) - i had a hotish bath and put hot fannels on my boob the fed A straight after and massaged the lumps down and it finally got rid of them.

Hope you feel better soon - you are doing a fab job so far xx

Glad you got some good advice, hope the bfing improves from here x

That's great! I so glad you got some advice and so quickly!  Sounds like you got some great advice.  Hope it continues to improve x

  So glad the BFC was helpful.  Sounds like some really good advice.  Hope things get sorted for you. xxx

I'm glad yyou've got such good advice, I hope it sorts the problems out for you quickly

great advice.  So glad you've had some decent help.  Is it worth putting something on the wiki for others?

Thats great Tinks!

That's great news x

I didn't see your original post, but glad things are better. I never managed to feed in the gravity position, but did use this position in the bath to massage the breast. I agree with what GF said about massing during feeding. I hated expressing so used to use massage to clear blocked ducts as much as possible to avoid having to express! I have taken ibuprofen before massaging in the past as well, just so I can use more pressure on the breast.

I hope the Raynauds gets sorted out too

I got breast nurse pads which have been fab during any flare ups I had (can be used hot and cold)

So pleased you have had some good advice  Hope the Dr can help you sort the Raynauds out x