Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Clogged Plumbing


While poor little Reagan's fountain of youth overfloweth (I do hope she's doing better), my plumbing has somehow become all backed up. Last night, I woke up to feed Loki as usual. However, when he was finished nursing and finally fell asleep again, I realized that my right breast was still incredibly full and a little tender.

I'm pretty sure that he was still able to get something out of me or he wouldn't have fallen back to sleep so quickly. So at 2 AM, I hopped on the ever knowledgeable and omnipresent internet only to discover that I apparently, have a plugged duct!

So very strange... In case I didn't feel enough like a milk making machine, this happens and only reminds that not only do I generally serve one function (to nourish my infant son) but now, what I had previously regarded as a well oiled machine - has become a tired, run down, backed up piece of equipment that needs to be serviced.

What exactly is the recommended service procedure, you may ask (or maybe not -for those other mothers out there who have experienced this)? Warm compress (or shower), massage, more nursing and if necessary - roto - rooting said clog with a pin!

Nothing out of the ordinary, except for the pin ordeal! I mean really, if I had wanted a pierced nipple I would have gone ahead and gotten the package deal when I had my eyebrow done. Not that I feel too old for piercings, but the big 3 - 0 is just around the corner and adding any more holes to my soon to be sagging skin sounds a little silly.

Since Loki had gone back to sleep and Whitebread isn't really a big fan of suckling, I opted for warm compresses and massage. An hour later, nothing had really relieved my engorged-ness, so I opted for sleep. When Loki woke us up again a few hours later, I was really in some serious discomfort...I tried nursing him, but it just wasn't happening. So, I did it - I found a stick pin - sterilized it and pierced my nipple! And guess what?! It worked!!! Milk started squirting out across the bathroom! Roto rooter to the RESCUE!!!

While I'm no longer engorged, my nipple is a little sore now. But on a brighter note, since the damage has already been done, I am seriously considering adorning it. They make some pretty cute nipple jewelry these days! Though, I think I should wait until Loki is weened to give it whirl. His girlfriend (see attached photo) will think I'm the coolest Mother In Law EVER! (PS - Turner - this is your name sake!)

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