Breast Pain - Nursing

You could be pre-mastitis. Be on the lookout for severe chills and fever or other flu-like symptoms.

Hi K., First of all, good for you for hanging in there and seeking advice. I agree with Shai. You should ask a breast feeding consultant.

In the meantime, some thoughts:
are you caring for the skin of your nipples?
Are your bra's 100% cotton? are they supportive, yet not too tite?
are you drinking enuf water?
resting enuf?
is the position you are holding your baby comfortable for you or do you need more pillows?

GL.
Jilly

Hi K.,
How terrible! I know how painful that can be. Please call your OB/GYN right away, something is definitely wrong. You might have had a plugged milk duct that got infected and need antibiotics, or you could have a bad case of thrush (I had that and it causes the WORST stabbing pains deep in the breast)- the Dr. can definitely check you out though and see what the problem is. I would definitely see a lactation consultant too once you're through this crisis. If you do end up needing antibiotics, make sure to get some nystatin cream for you, and liquid for the baby- and possibly some antifungal tablets for you (same ones they give for yeast infections). Thrush is no joke, it's hard to get rid of and very painful- and my bad case was caused by antibiotics due to a c-section.
Best of luck to you, I hope you feel better soon!

There are a variety of reasons you could be having that pain. I'd go see a breast feeding consultant right away. Your hospital or pediatrician should have one readily available for you. For me the problem was Reynaud's and I got it straightened out. Good luck!

Please skip the breast feeding consultant and go straight to your OB for a proper breast exam.

I had the same situation when I was 4 weeks postpartum with my second. They did a thorough breast exam, diagnosed me with mastitis, gave me an antibiotic and a referral to a breast center for an ultrasound.

Breast issues are taken really seriously - especially with the level of pain you're experiencing. It could be related to your recent pregnancy/nursing and it might not be.

In my case it was a serious medical condition that took over 4 weeks to diagnose and required me to stop nursing at 11 weeks to start chemo for a non-breast-related cancer.

Good luck! Please just be thorough. I sincerely hope it's nothing more than a clogged duct or mastitis.

I would talk to ur lactation nurse. I went through that w/ our oldest. I had mastitis (sp??) - inflamation of the breast tissue. It was very painful and like u we had the same schedule, but I still got it.

I agree 100% with Dana. Please dont ignore the pain! See your OB or a surgeon and you must insist on the ultrasound. Your pain sounds different to mine but I ended up getting a pretty severe breast abscess, had to have it lanced under a general and spend 2 nights in hospital because it was misdiagnosed as mastitis for 3 weeks.

My first thought was mastitis, which I had and required some antibiotic for a short time. The others make a GREAT point though, call your OB right away. If it's something serious, knowing sooner is better.

you might have a "clog" in one of your ducts.. a warm compress may help.. but be careful because it may also promote lactation

A lactation consultant willl be able to help you with this issue. If you can't find one near you. The breastfeeding center on K St. in D.C. is the best in the area.
Have you stood in the shower with very hot water hitting your breast?
Sometimes that will relieve the pain.
L.