Hi all, I'm also a jun mum who's been reading this forum since preggy time. Decided to share my experience upon reading Sparkle's problem.
I just recovered from breast infection two weeks ago. Due to very sore nipples, i decided to latch only once per breast per day and pump out for the rest of the day. This resulted in blocked ducts in both breasts. Despite latching, pumping, hand expression, hot compresses, the blockage cannot be cleared. In fact, when hubby saw that i was in such pain, he tried to help suck out the bm but the attempt failed (poor hubby puked as he's the kind who cannot even drink normal milk and of course, both of us felt very awkward during the process. but i must say that he really tried very hard but bb's suction skill is far more superior. haha). I then went to see an LC for help and she cleared the blockages. But upon reaching home, my right breast become very swollen (but still felt soft) and was very painful even while sleeping and i turned feverish, so had to go back to TMC the next day. The LC initially couldn't figure out the problem as she couldn't find any lumps. I was finally diagnosed with infection only when we realised that milk from one duct was yellowish. i took antibiotics and then went back to LC a few days later to further massage out the milk from that infected duct and continued to latch on. Finally, my breast recovered (but supply unfortunately dropped after the incident).
Sparkle - Do note that even if the lumps may seem gone, the risk of infection could still be there. For me, the symptons were fever, swollen but soft breast, yellowish milk. For infection case, u need to take antibiotics to cure the infected duct before the bad milk can be cleared. Do take care...