Deep Throbbing Breast Pain While Nursing????

You could perhaps have a blocked milk duct, so I think it may be time to see the doctor.
As long as you don't run a fever or have flu-like symptoms (without having flu) - you probably don't have an infection, but it could lead to one.

I have a 5 month old and had my heart set on breatfeeding for the full first year. My body had other plans...Around 2 and 1/2 months my milk supply started to decline. I tried pumping around the clock(every 2-3 hours) when Gavin wasn't nursing as I was instructed by a breastfeeding counselor. I tried this for weeks. It did not increase my supply. I finally talked to my OB and he wrote me a prescription for reglan. It's a GI medication but it seemed to help at first to increase my supply. This is the kind of medicine that you take a lot of at first to get it going in your system then you gradually reduce the dose to where you need to be. I have been taking the medicine for 6 weeks now and, though it seemed to help in the beginning, now I'm almost dry. In the last few weeks I have noticed that I also am getting pains in my breast. Mostly when I seem to be pumping when I hardly have anything to pump but occasionally when Gavin nurses. I figured it was a sign that my body had had enough of me sucking it dry. You didn't mention any problem with your milk supply so the pains may not be related. I haven't asked the dr about it but please write me back if you discover the cause of the pain. I continue to pump and nurse anytime I can and will continue for the health of my baby as long as my body will produce a few ounces...

Hi A.,

When my son was a few months old I developed mestitis (sp?). To sum it up, the breast duct clogged and I developed a fever and got very weak from it. I don't know if these are also symptoms you have had or my a not be contributing them to this, but this is what I went through. I ended up going to the ER cause I had no clue what was going on and needless to say the final MD suggestion was to continue nursing. He said that my son would unclog the duct just by nursing. It's been so long, so I don't recall having to take meds to help with the fever. I doubt it since I was nursing. Also, this was very painful and being determined to keep nursing was hard cause it only made the pain worse. Talk to your MD and see what their POV is on this. I am sure it could be something else or the same thing with different symptoms.

It would probably be a good idea to talk to a lactation consultant. You can get a referral from the Breastfeeding Shop at 1960 and Kuykendahl at ###-###-####. I recall that deep breast pain can be caused by a yeast infection, I think.

Hi A.,
when my son was breast feeding a couple of times i got what the doctor called "plugged milk ducts", she told me that the milk was getting trapped in one of the ducts and it was pretty painful. I use to feed my son off that one breast mostley untill the duct would unplug naturally but it was very painfull in the beginning of the feeding untill it would drain a little. My doc. also told me that I could take a warm shower and let the warm water run on that breast to loosen up the milk a little. If none of this helps I would suggest going to see the doctor, they have other ways to help with plugged ducts if this is the case, good luck.

You've gotten some good advice.
Mine is to not go to a doctor until you've seen a Lactation Consultant. Not all doctors know what they're talking about when it comes to a lactating breast, and some might recommend weaning to 'solve' the problem. That would be ridiculous and unnecessary. A LLL leader or a LC will be able to give you tips on getting rid of plugged ducts. However, if you've developed flu-like symptoms, a trip to the doc is called for...since that indicates an infection - aka mastitis.
One mama already gave you a website for LC help. I don't see any LLL groups in your area, but here's a link to LLL Texas in case I'm wrong. Phone calls to LLL leaders are free. It's conceivable that a LC or LLL leader could help you over the phone.
http://www.llli.org//Web/Texas.html

Is the pain in one place? That is, can you point to it? Is it at latch on? During Let Down/ MER (milk ejection reflex)?
If so, I would change babies position so that either his chin or nose is aimed at the sore spot. This will help pull that milk through. I would take a hot shower and massage that breast and try to work it out that way.
Again, if you've had a fever/flu-like symptoms, go see a doc.
I just recommend calling a LC or LLL leader first.

HTH and if something I wrote needs clarification, please don't hesitate to email and ask

K., mama to
Catherine, 4.5y
Samuel, 19m

Your child could be latched on wrong, but it sounds like mastitis to me. I had it 2 times in the first several months of feeding. I didn't get a fever like some people I know, but the part that was clogged and infected became a little reddish on my breast. Luckily my friend had had it so I knew what to look for. She however wound up in the hospital, because if it gets too bad you can have to have surgery. But, if you catch it then you'll be fine. Call your doctor and see what they have to say. I did have to take antibiotics (they were some approved for nursing) because of the infection. But the doc still told me to keep nursing because ultimately that is what helps the most. Please dont wait call your doc.
Lace

A.,

I do know what you are talking about. The outside area of each breast, almost under the arm would throb at some points of nursing. Fortunately, Ihad a lactation consultant through WIC or La Leche League (I dont remember which) who suggested that I use the football hold when nursing. This advice came for me early, so I never really developed mastisis, but she did say that if it turned red or tender to the touch to let the doctor know.

Once I used that pose during the first feeding in the mornings, the engorgement that I had not even realized was occcuring quickly subsided. My back felt better- the entire experience became better for me- maybe I was getting weak from ducts that were clogging like another poster mentioned.

Enjoy your nursing- all mine are over 3 and I miss it so!
M. V

Could it be an overactive (strong) letdown? I had them and they were kind of painful and strong. I would call a lacation consultant. http://www.lllhouston.org/gethelp.html

You need to see the Dr. right away. You could have an infection. This does happen sometimes when nursing. Important that you get checked out. The milk glands could also have a problem. Pleas take care of yourself.

Hi A., Seems like you could have clogged ducts or mastitis. In either case, it's worth a trip to your doctor. Your child's pediatrician may even be able to help you if you mention it at your next visit. My kid's pedi is great with breastfeeding advice. In the meantime, if they are clogges, massaging them is supposed to help, as well as warm compresses. There is a load of info on the web on this topic. If it is mastitis, you may need to take antibiotics... so, you will have to see the doc. Hope this helps.

p.s. Sure sign of clogged ducts is that less milk is coming out...