Hi! My name is Suzanne Barron and I am a Clinical Nurse Specialist
in the NICU at Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters in Norfolk,
Virginia.  I am an IBCLC and, as part of my CNS role, I work with
breastfeeding families with infants in our NICU.  I signed on to
LACTNET about two weeks ago and have been delighted to read all of
the wonderful information that is now so easily available to me!  It's
been great!

I am signing on for the first time with a question about a mother who
has a clogged duct.  I have experience working with this problem, but
this mom's is particularly "stubborn".  She has a firm lump (about
4cm x 1cm) on her left breast just below her axillae.  She did have
redness just above the areola with increased skin temp; her OB
started her on Dicloxacillin for mastitis, and the redness/temp
problems are resolved (today is day 3 of antibiotic use).  The lump,
however, remains!  We have used heat, massage, frequent pumping
(double); we have placed a cabbage leaf over the lump for 15 minutes
with massage prior to pumping (mom said that the lump did soften
some--but it still feels firm to me).  What else can I offer this mom?  Is
abcess formation still a risk even though she is on an antibiotic?

Any assistance will be greatly appreciated!  My personal E-mail
address is Suzanne Barron <[log in to unmask]>