Breast Feeding Problem

Just for peace of mind you might want to go see your doctor. If having a mammogram is a concern...you can ask your doctor about the possibility of a breast ultra sound. Since you are able to feel the lumps they would ultrasound that area to see what is causing the lump. Having had both mammogram and ultrasound I'd do the ultrasound first if possible but truthfully the mammogram wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Best of luck and congrats on the baby :)

You didn't mention that the lumps are sore -- expect for your massaging them into a bruise. They may be nothing. I've nursed multiple kids for long term and have had pebbles like you describe. Nothing really hard, not an infection, but just a firm, rounded spot. It wasn't anything but normal variation.

So, try not to worry -- maybe put a call in to a lactation consultant and/or your doctor to verify it's not mastitis, but without any discomfort it doesn't sound like an infection to me.

I had the same issue. The baby's suction will usually unclog your ducts but make sure his mouth is positioned near the sore spots. It might take a few go arounds but it should work. If it starts getting really red and you feel sick or feverish you should go to the dr.

When I had mastitis, I did not go on antibiotics. I did the hot compresses, nursed alot and did cabbage leaves. You have to score or cut across the veins, put it on the affected area and it will draw the infection out. The person who said it will dry you up, is completely wrong. I got this advice from my homebirth midwife and it saved me from having to go to the doctor and be on antibiotics, which also gets transmitted to the baby. It also cleared it up really quickly. By the way, I breastfed both of my children past 2 years of age, so I don't think it dried me up a bit.

Hi J. -

I had some lumps appear, and I raised the concern with my doctor due to a family history. Because I was so concerned, and one was fairly large, I did end up having a mammogram (even though breast feeding) just to keep an eye on them. The mammogram was not that bad, I just pumped before being squeezed. Turned out that the lumps were just hardened deposits. Most went away on their own, I just monitored closely and so did my doctor. Don't panic - in the long run I did have to have one removed after I was done breast feeding. Monitor, talk to your doctor, and enjoy the time you have with your little one!

K.

Warm washcloths won't work well because they don't stay hot long enough to do much good.

What worked for me was we had one of those cloth neck things that you warm in the microave. (They make them in all different sizes. We bought ours at a craft sale.) I heated it up for a couple minutes and then slept on it on the breast that had a lump. GONE BY MORNING!! If you don't have one of those just fill a big sock half full with rice, tie up the end, and heat in microave. -- I was told that's all that's in those unless you get the scented ones. Then they have herbs in them as well. They stay hot/warm for a couple hours....

J., I had a lump I discovered while nursing my daughter. I had it checked by my Dr. and they tried to see if it was just clogged milk by sticking it with a sirenge but no liquied came out. They decided to remove it and it was just calcified milk. I was so happy it turned out to be nothing in my case but you really should see a Dr. Always better to be safe than sorry!
P.

I had the same problem with my last baby, though I had to think hard to remember what I did. 1st, don't keep pumping after nursing. The more you demand, the more your body will make, and making them more full will only make it more sore. It's ok, to take very small amounts out to releive pressure through the day, though. Massage was the most comfy in the shower. I would apply pressure, while baby was nursing on the sore spot, while trying to push the clogged lumps toward the nipple, hoping the sucking combined with the massage would help. It hurt like crazy, but helped some. What helped the most, and ultimately cleared the spots, was to get creative. turn baby so the sucking power is more directed to the sore spots. It seems that, you want the top of the mouth on the sore area.(If that's already how you nurse, try the botton) Push the lumps down while nursing in various positions, and use as many pillow as it takes to position baby. Good Luck!

Do not use cabbage leaves- they will dry you up. If they are not painful don't worry. The baby will do some cluster feedings, drain your breast and these will go away. It is so amazing. Breastfeeding is a great thing!

Congratulations on your new baby boy! We had 2 new additions on the 13th...so from one tired mom to another...I understand :)

I nursed my first daughter for 22 months.

I would try a hot shower for 5-10 minutes. I had something like this happen with my first BF experience. I took a HOT shower...hot enough my entire breast was beat red (but it felt really good :) Afterwards, with my hubby's help, I positioned my daughter so her NOSE was towards the lump in the breast. I was told that whichever way the nose points is the strongest sucking area. It was a bit weird, but we got it...and it helped.

Remember that some lumps are normal in BF, but if you are still concerned....contact your doctor and/or a lactation consultant. Many consultants can help you over the phone or insurance pays for the first meeting with them free or they offer services the first time for free.

Good luck!

I had mastitis (the infection you're speaking of). It started as clogged ducts and became very red, sore, and warm to the touch, later developing blisters. I would suggest going to the doctor just to be looked at- as I waited too long and had a terrible case of it. If they suspect infection, they just give you a course of meds (that are safe for baby) that you take for around 5 days. It's likely nothing you're doing wrong, but they can go over things to help you prevent getting infections.

Congratulations on your baby and Kudos to you for nursing! I just read the other responses and they are all very good. The additional thing I wanted to add was to hook up with a local La Leche League, who can help you with your nursing goals. There are so many reasons to nurse and most have significant, lifelong benefits, so keep going and don't give up. This short time in your lives is fleeting.
Good luck,
J.

I haven't experienced bruises and you're doing what you need to do if it was mastitis clogged duct. I've experienced one large lump one time and it hurt so much and went away in a few days after applying hot packs and changing the position of how the baby eats. Mouth to sore spot and massage and hot showers. I heard cabbage leaves help. I'd call the clinic and speak to a triage nurse just to make sure. Once resolved and it's a clogged duct lets say I'd suggest to massage as you feed at each feeding. I've never had any other episodes of clogged ducts and I fed my first for 9 months and I'm still nuring my 2.5 year old. I no longer need to massage though because milk is so low. At a year old I stopped massaging and that's when the milk production slowed down and became watery and more filling for the child so feeding was less time consuming. Anyway, I hope that clears up for you soon.

can you find the local la leche league in your area? they might be able to help, or refer you to a book or expert in your area who could help you. otherwise check with your doctor!
and thank you for breastfeeding! LOVE, your son :P

awesome job mom! :D keep up the good work!

It could be mastitis. Call your doctor as it could get worse and require antibiotics. Nurse as much as possible in the mean time.

Hi J.,
Great job with the breastfeeding! A clogged duct or infection will usually be sore to the touch. Take a long hot shower or bath, you shouldn't ever need to massage to the point of bruising. Make sure you feed your baby is different positions, football hold, cradle hold, lying down etc.... The baby will usually clear a clogged duct with feeding. I noticed that I got a clogged duct on the side that I sleep on so make sure to turn over in bed sometimes. If it keeps up, call your doctor. I called mine all the time for any concerns, that's what they are for!
And remember, the first two months of nursing are the toughest- after that it is just a breeze!