Clogged Milk Duct

So, I've been back at work several weeks now. It has gotten easier. I'm more back into a routine. And, working from home on Fridays makes it so much nicer. I still miss Ariella like crazy, but at least I know I'm providing for her. And, Nolvia is great with her during the day, so I don't have to worry.

As I said, things had been going along well until yesterday at my 2nd pumping session. Even after pumping, I still had this really hard area on my right breast. I tried massaging it out during the pumping session, but it didn't work. From my readings, I was pretty sure this was a clogged milk duct! I figured I would do my 3rd pumping session at 3pm, make it to the end of the day, and then go home and take care of it. Well, that didn't happen. By 3pm, it was hurting like crazy! I left work early, went home, and took a LONG, very hot shower. I massaged the hard spot for quite some time. Then, I pumped. I also took Ibuprofen. I thought it was gone, but about an hour later, I noticed it was back (I guess the heat had worn off my then). It worked itself out (with more massaging at each nursing session) by the next day, though.

It was a crazy experience, and hopefully I won't get clogged ducts too often. It was quite painful, and if left for too long could turn into infection, which would be really bad. But, at least now I know what to do. It was really scary.