Mastitis

Most people get Mastitis within the first 2-3 weeks of breastfeeding but I'm one of the "lucky" ones who somehow got it after 10 months of breastfeeding. Go me. Last Monday (I think), I woke up with a blocked duct and I didn't think much of it because I do get them occasionally but the babe always gets them out. I can even remember not really thinking that much about it because it didn't hurt that much, yes it was uncomfortable but not too noticeable. That afternoon I knew the blockage was still there so I repeatedly nursed on that side while praying I wouldn't get a blockage in the other breast. Oh the joys.

The blockage refused to go away so I took a bath while EA napped and expressed as much as I could in the beyond hot water. I was desperate and growing more desperate as the minutes ticked. I tried pumping, nursing, expressing, massaging, heat, and nothing worked. I began to not feel good but I wasn't dying, you know?, and so I kept pumping, nursing, expressing, massaging to no avail. The hubs had to go to the funeral home because his cousin's grandfather died so he took EA and I took another bath because I was FREEZING! I expressed and massaged. My breast was so sore from expressing and massaging and nursing that I couldn't tell if the blockage was still there or not so when he returned I asked him to see if the blockage was out because I could no longer tell. He happily obliged and to my dismay IT was still there! It was at this point, I felt as if I was dying so I posted on facebook for help, advice, anything at this point. My doctor's lovely nurse (who is the best nurse ever!) suggested massaging while nursing and whatdaya know....it WORKED! No more blockage but I did end up having to sweat my 103 degree fever out during the course of the night.

When my breastfeeding journey began (seconds after she was born), I never thought I would dread seeing the end of it as the one year mark quickly approaches, but I do. It breaks my heart but I'm not going to be that mother breastfeeding her five year old y'all! haha!

I rarely take photos of her breastfeeding unless I'm totally covered up and I doubt you want to see them anyways! haha! But here are a few of my girl and me!