Hi All,

 

Problem:  plugged milk ducts x 7 weeks

 

History:    first time mom, HELLP syndrome,  c/sec, blood transfusions,
postpartum wound infection, reaction to antibiotics, mastitis, thrush,
reaction to 

               APNO cream, severely excoriated nipples… saw lactation
consultant for first time when baby was 3 weeks old, baby is now 3 ½ months
old.

 

Treatment:  pumping till nipples healed, mom only getting 1 ½ oz at best, no
difficulty getting pregnant, no breast surgery, no abnormal development…..

               Lack of supply most likely due to HELLP syndrome.  Mom
understands this and is good with plan to heal nipples and give best try to
increase

               Supply.  BUT… then the mastitis and plugged ducts started.
Doctor doesn’t want mom to take lecithin or herbs because of lowered immune 

               System and funky reactions to things right now.  Doing heat,
massage, pumping, ice, manual expression after pumping, sage tea (guess this
herb

               Was ok), castor oil compresses.  Two sessions of lymphatic
drainage, to no avail.

 

Concern:  Will these plugged areas “calcify”, if left to just dry up????  We
don’t want to hurt her chances to breastfeed her next child.  She has been
able

               Over the weeks to get down to 2 pumpings a day, for 2 oz each
time.  The entire pumping process takes a long time as mom works on the 

              Plugs while pumping.  The plugs are not long ducts, but
smaller areas of the ductal branches.  (pea sized )  They do resolve with
all her work, only

               To come back again at the next pumping time.  When we
increased back to every 3 hours, there was no change and just a slight
increase in 

               supply.

 

Question:  Can we progress with the drying up process?  Will the plugged
areas reabsorb or calcify?  I am assuming that they will reabsorb, since
they

                Aren’t “calcified” at this point – as believed since she
states they get smaller with the pumping regimen

 

Thanks!

 

Linda Hill RN, IBCLC

Austin,TX.

 

 

 

 


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