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All About Women

A patient-centered practice for all stages of a woman's life

Gainesville, FL (352) 331-3332
6440 W Newberry Rd, Ste 111

Lake City, FL (386) 754-1744
4447 NW American Ln, Ste 102

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Blog / Pregnancy & Prenatal Care / Common Breastfeeding Problem #3: “How do I know if I have a plugged duct or mastitis?”

Common Breastfeeding Problem #3: “How do I know if I have a plugged duct or mastitis?”

August 19, 2016 By Site Admin

mom feeding baby: All About Women Pregnancy and Prenatal Care blog

If you’re in the throes of breastfeeding, you may find yourself dealing with a plugged duct. Plugged ducts are very common among breastfeeding moms, especially if your baby is not latching well or if you’ve recently decreased feedings because you’ve gone back to work.

When you have a plugged duct, milk cannot flow through that part of your breast and causes a blockage. It can happen anywhere in your milk ducts or even on the nipple itself (called a milk blister). Usually, you’ll notice that the area around the plugged duct is sore, hot, red, and there will probably be a hard lump. The pain is often worse right before or at the beginning of a feeding.

A plugged duct can lead to mastitis, which is an inflammation of the breast, if it’s not dealt with quickly. When you have mastitis, it feels very similar to the flu – common symptoms are high fever, body aches and chills. Your breast will feel the same as a plugged duct, but the pain may be more intense.

An average of 1 in 5 American women get mastitis while breastfeeding.

The best way to avoid mastitis is to try to clear the plugged duct as quickly as possible, and a simple way to do that is to nurse and nurse often. The more you empty the affected breast, the better your chances of clearing the blockage. It’s also very important to drink lots of fluids, eat well and rest. If you end up with mastitis, you’ll need to stay in bed and get help with those house chores!

Here are some other tips for clearing the plugged duct:

  • Gently massage the lump right before and during feedings.
  • Use a warm compress or take a hot shower while you massage your breast.
  • Nurse more frequently and empty any remaining milk with a breast pump.
  • Use a cold compress in between feedings for pain.

Usually plugged ducts and mastitis don’t require any antibiotic treatment, but if the symptoms do not improve within a 24-hour period, contact your obstetrician right away.

Breastfeeding problems are very common, so please don’t hesitate to call and talk with one of our Gainesville or Lake City doctors or nurses about any breastfeeding-related issues or questions. We have a dedicated maternity team that is dedicated to providing you with great care during pregnancy and afterward!

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Filed Under: Pregnancy & Prenatal Care Tagged With: baby care, baby time, breastfeeding, post pregnancy

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Being a patient-centered practice goes well beyond seeing patients in our office. We want to help you find important answers before you even step in the door. Our OB/GYN blog helps us accomplish this goal but more importantly, helps women like you better understand your unique health needs. Browse around and learn more about pregnancy, general women’s health, exciting new research and more!

Contact Us With Any Questions

All About Women Obstetrics and Gynecology – Gainesville

Gainesville
6440 W Newberry Rd, Ste 111
Gainesville, FL 32605
(352) 331-3332


All About Women Obstetrics and Gynecology – Lake Cit

Lake City
4447 NW American Ln, Ste 102
Lake City, FL 32055
(386) 754-1744


 

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Gainesville and Lake City OB/GYN Care
OB/GYN doctors at All About Women, Obstetrics & Gynecology offer personalized, technologically advanced obstetrics and gynecology services from Board Certified OB/GYB physicians. Besides expert women's healthcare, permanent birth control and prenatal care, OB/GYN doctors also offers advanced hysterectomy surgery in and around the Gainesville area.


Women's Health Care in Alachua & Columbia Counties
With offices in Gainesville and Lake City, Florida, All About Women, M.D. provides expert OB/GYN services covering the entire range of women's healthcare needs. Our OB/GYN physicians and nurse midwives provide expert care during pregnancy as well as state of the art in-office treatments for gynecologic disorders including Novasure endometrial ablation to treat/stop heavy menstrual bleeding.


Personalized & Expert Prenatal Care
Gainesville obstetricians at All About Women, M.D. help ensure pregnancy goes as smoothly as possible by offering the best prenatal care available. And for those having difficulty getting pregnant, AAW obstetricians and gynecologists offer couples the best infertility help and treatment available.


Advanced Minimally Invasive Surgery: daVinci Surgical System
Clinic founder Dr. Anthony Agrios, Board Certified Obstetrician and Gynecologist also specializes in the daVinci Robotic surgery system, a minimally invasive option commonly used for a hysterectomy and other procedures. Instead of creating several small incisions like traditional surgical methods, OB/GYN surgeons simply open one incision with the daVinci system to complete the procedure. Not only do patients experience less pain and blood loss, they recover and get back to normal much faster.


Pregnancy & Prenatal Care: Creative Pregnancy Announcement : Fruits for Pregnant Women

OB/GYN Tips: Choosing an OB/GYN : Robotic Hysterectomy

Infertility & Reproduction Health: Infertility Treatment : Permanent Birth Control

Women's Health: Preventive Care : Well Women Care : Mammogram Screenings : Abnormal Periods

Gainesville Maternity Care

 

FL OBGYN   Services
All About Women
Gainesville and Lake City, Florida Obstetrics & Gynecology

Offices conveniently located in the heart of North Florida (Alachua County & Columbia County). Serving women of all ages and backgrounds
in and around Ocala, Williston, Chiefland, Perry, Live Oak, Lake City, Starke, Palatka and Gainesville.