That Time I Had A Clogged Duct at a Full Moon Circle
Last week I had a clogged duct at my Full Moon Circle. I know that’s a lot to process.
Where to begin? Well, Friday afternoon I started to feel like my right breast was
slightly bruised- as if I had a black and blue about an inch southeast of my areola.
Soon after noticing the pain it got a bit worse. It hurt when I touched it and anytime
my breast moved while I walked around. Since I had a clogged duct after my first
child I knew this is what it was. Immediately I microwaved my herbal rice pack and
stuck it under my shirt. I massaged the area for it a bit (for as long as I could stand
it) and I encouraged my baby to nurse from that side. Knowing I had to co-facilitate
a Full Moon Circle that evening and would be away from my nursing child for
several hours I went HARD at this clogged duct while I was home. Constantly
heating, massaging and nursing. Next I got out ole’ reliable- my trusty pump. I
pumped the right breast while putting extra pressure on the sore spot. I was
chugging water and keeping my warm pack at the helm. Right before I left I nursed
once more on that side and took two ibuprofen for the pain.
Now, Full Moon Circle. Have you ever been to one? It may be exactly what you
imagine. A dozen or so female identifying people sitting in a circle on the floor
around an altar of crystals, flowers and candles. We share stories about ourselves,
experiment with different breathing techniques and yoga positions, go through a
guided meditation and ultimately enjoy each others company in a relaxing place.
Lest you visualized something a bit more witchy and ritualistic, we do chant a bit
and we do call in ancestors, pull oracle cards, and cast spells…no big deal. Can you
picture all this? Good.
So, I’m sitting in my Full Moon Circle and all the while I’m holding my hand over my
breast inside the v-neck of my blouse massaging myself. All I can think is, “please
don’t turn into Mastitis, please don’t turn into Mastitis”. Which by the way, is a real
thing. A clogged duct is something you want to stay on top of and not ignore. For it
shall wreak havoc if left to its own devices. (Not sure if we’re talking about a clogged
duct or a toddler…same difference? Different blog.) I told a friend in the circle about
my clogged duct and she suggested trying Lecithin. That is real and was also
suggested to me by my IBCLC the first time around. I mentally noted her suggestion
and planned to go out the next morning and buy a bottle. Lecithin is a “thinner” and
will essentially thin your milk, helping it get through that tricky clogged duct.
So now the circle is over and my milk has come in so I’m engorged AND clogged. I
left the circle, raced home, slipped and fell on my icy driveway (really? Can you
imagine?) and made my way upstairs to the baby. I nursed the baby on both sides
and then mostly on my right breast through.the.night. Long story short (is it too late
for that?) I nursed regularly on the side with the clogged duct and continued to add
heat and voila, cured! Really! Moral of the story: Apply heat, massage affected area,
nurse/pump, stay hydrated, and repeat. And maybe attend a Full Moon Circle? I
never did buy that Lecithin…or take a hot shower…or do a bunch of other things
people say cures clogged ducts. But hey, there’s always next time, right?…

#lactationsupport #lactation #breastfeeding #chestfeeding #fullmooncircle #womenscircle #birth #postpartum #parenthood #birthdoula #postpartumdoula #beacondoula #postpartumdoula #buffalonydoula #buffalodoula #hudsonvalleydoula #hudsonvalley #buffalony #upstateny