First of all: Update on "the student" (who will from here on out be referred in that way with quotes and when you read that phrase, you should use an ominous tone of voice in your reading mind). Simply put: He didn't come to class. He emailed me to say he wouldn't be able to attend at all this week. I replied and advised him that it would be in his best interest to withdraw. Certainly, my response was lengthier and more compassionate-sounding than the above sentence, but my general gist was "Please don't return." He hasn't replied to me as of yet, and I checked my roster this morning, and he's still registered, so we'll see.
Second of all: I didn't run this morning like I had wanted to. I woke up with a clogged milk duct, and the little sucker is uncomfortable, and I think running would only aggravate it. Since the first clogged duct, I've had about half a dozen repeat offenders. They vary in severity and ease of dislodgement: Sometimes, it's not painful at all and it unclogs with one nursing, other times, it really hurts and it takes about a day to unclog (the present one falls into the latter category, as in, "it hurts like a motherfucker").
I've read extensively about breastfeeding in general, and particularly about these troublesome clogged ducts I've experienced in the last few months, and I do my best to abide by all the practices that should help me avoid them, but as one article said about them: "Sometimes, they just happen." Which I guess is just the suxxorz.
But, one thing I can't help wondering about is how running might be a factor. Particularly, my running bras. Are they not offering adequate support? Or, could they be fitted so as to inappropriately squeeze my girl parts and cause such milk blockage? Any running, nursing mothers out there who have input on this? I don't think I simply need to adjust the size, because they fit comfortably, but I'm wondering if there could be a structural disadvantage to wearing just "regular" running bras? Is there a brand or structure out there that could be better?
24 comments:
I have no advice, but I hope you get unclogged soon.
^^ what she said. :)
^^ what they said :)
J/K...ugh, I am soooo sorry about this, I can't imagine so I won't even try. But you are smart lady, maybe it is the bra's. I wonder if a running store locally would have any advice on this. You'd be surprised at what they hear in there :) Good luck lady!
And good luck with the "student" I am sure it will work itself out in a manner that suits you both :) Happy Wednsday!
you know that is the first thing that popped into my head when you wrote about your clogged duct...who knows it could be the that the sports bra is tight enough where it could cause that. Not sure but what I do know know is that you shouldn't sleep on your stomach if your prone to clogged ducts because of the pressure on your chest so maybe it does have something to do with it?
Mostly what the others have said. :0(
I didn't have that problem, but it definitely could be a possibility. Could you try a different style? Also, do they seem to happen in the same place?
I've read that taking lecithin can help, but I'd probably check with your midwife/dr or a local lactation consultant first.
Hope it resolves itself quickly!
Well, hopefully it was good for the student to realize what he needed to do. On the other hand, one of my old bank customers (no longer work for the bank) owns a running shoe and running apparel store. She set records in Oklahoma during high school for multiple distances, and ran for Georgetown University. I emailed her about your problem, since she has two kids and began running right after each one. Hopefully she will have a response for you!
Thank U for 'the student' update in the beginning of your post, as I quickly scrolled to the bottom..........
I normally use a tank type sports bra (kind of smashes everything together) and I found that wearing a sports bra that mimicked a regular bra while I was nursing worked best for me. Hope you get it figured out and are clog-free soon!
No advice on the running bras thing, but I really hope that student drops out of your class. He just sounds like a big pain in the rear.
I'm sorry I missed the posts on "The Student." I teach mostly developmental ed courses, so I get lots of that.
You did the right thing...getting him to leave, not confronting him, and moving him out. He needs to figure out how to manage himself. That's his job now, not yours. (I had a different answer when I taught high school, but this is NOT hs. and you have other students to worry about)...anyway, I wanted to tell you that.
As for the clogged boobs? I have no advice. I didn't run when I was nursing...although I'm wondering if it is caused by a too tight bra? Somehow that makes more sense to me, but I'm probably completely wrong.
My school "main steams" accomodated learners into the normal classroom, and I have to say that "the student" is exactly what we are working AGAINST in high school. It's stories like these that really encourage and motivate me to help the students learn how to manage themselves in a normal educational environment. It sounds like you did the right thing... I'm sure more confrontation would just exaggerate the problem.
As for the clogged duct... I've got nothing.
I am sorry, I have no help or advice for you.
Hmm. that is tough. I wore 2 bras every time I ran for at least the first 6 months, and those suckers were tight! But I didn't have to deal with any clogged ducts - I remember it hurting a couple of times and I put the heat patch thing on it which helped!
I've got no advice for you but a clogged milk duct sounds like no fun.
I am sorry, but I don't anything since I did not start running until after my kids were much older.
Sorry I'm no help. I was not into being fit when I was nursing. No running until many years later but better late than never! Good luck as it sounds like no fun at all.
I have heard that poorly fitting bras can contribute, but not so sure about a bra that fits comfortably. It wouldn't hurt to try another style, if you have one, for a while and see. Hope it lets up soon. Real soon.
One of my friends said that using a sports bra with molded cups worked better for her while she was still nursing her son.
Sports bras are just a pain in general. Hope you feel better soon.
I have heard that a bra that's too tight can cause problems, but I think that's if you wear it all day or at night. Maybe a different material would help? If you find a solution, please post! I'll be in the same situation in a few months, and that sounds like something worth trying to avoid :)
In response to your bra issue, I'm a runner and breast feeding as well so I've also had this problem. I found that wearing my sports bra the shortest amount of time necessary solved my problem. I basically take it off as soon as I get home. I think that your ducts are like elastic bands, so the longer you breast feed and slowly allow your ducts to adjust to the compression then you'll have less problems. (I'm on baby #2 so I think that my ducts have more elasticity.) In short, I'd try taking your sports bra off ASAP and if that doesn't help then try a different one. You can also try calling your local breast feeding support group (most likely there was one at the hospital or you can call your pediatrian for the phone number), as they are usually helpful with these types of issues. Hope this helps and makes sense!
What Agate said too! Good luck
Man not a teacher or feeder, so I gots no help for you :) But hope you have a great weekend!
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