Boobie Update...

I apologize if this topic makes any of the male readers uncomfortable.
I apologize if this topic makes any of my regular readers bored.
Honestly, I wanted to write an update so that if I experience this again, be it with Bitsy or baby #2 or #3 someday...I want to know how I dealt with it!
Also, if I can help anyone else fight through this difficulties of breastfeeding then I want to!

I'm doing MUCH better today, which is a HUGE blessing.
Last night I finally took a nice, loooong HOT shower and massaged the blocked duct until I thought it would be bruised.
After my shower it already felt remarkably better.
Minus the soreness from the massage.
The only downside is that I was still dealing with sore nipples.
Boo!
I started a new home remedy after each of my pumping sessions.
I combined a few different suggestions from a few different web sites!
First I took a mason jar and filled it full of 8oz of water, heated it in the microwave for about 30 seconds, and then added 1/2 a teaspoon of salt.
I then leaned over the opening of the jar, placed my nipple in the opening and then I was able to lean back and soak for 2 minutes.
I did this on both sides.
Following that I hand expressed a few drops of milk and rubbed that on the nipple.
I recently read that breast milk has many anti-bacterial and healing powers.
Lastly, I wore this night time nursing bra with my Medela Soft Shells inserts.
I practiced this routine for 24 hours and let me say that as of now, we are feeling SO SO SO much better!
I no longer need to wear the Medela Soft Shells!
I am, however, going to continue the saline solution and expressed milk combo for a bit longer to ensure we are fully recovered!

I'm still waiting on my nipple shield to arrive in the mail so that I can try to wean Bitsy off the bottle and back to the breast.
I hate that we had to go to bottles so early, but I still have hope that we can get her back to breastfeeding with a little work.
I've been exclusively pumping for 2 weeks and it's a lot of work!
I did read a comment that made me smile:
A lady who exclusively pumped was asked if she breast fed, she said that explaining her pumping situation over and over again got old quick so she started to just answer "Yes" to anyone who asked.  Her justification, is my favorite part, "I figure my baby is taking it to go instead of drinking straight from the tap".
If we aren't able to get Bitsy back to a typical breastfeeding practice, I'll continue to pump and provide that way and then I'll be sure to join an online support group of others who exclusively pump.
I think that's the biggest thing, finding support no matter what method you choose.
Having so many comments from everyone the other day made me feel so blessed!
Thank you so much for your prayers and comments!
They helped me get through a tough few days.

I hope you all had a Blessed Saturday!