Is This the Beginning of Mastitis?

Sound like a plugged duct. Very common so shortly after delivery. Just put some heat on heat and massage it towards the nipple as you pump. It should resolve, however, if you experience fever or flu-like symptoms you should see a doctor. Good luck!

Don't worry yourselft YET. Lumps are VERY common after delivery, again very common.....and even painful at times. Mastitis is very painful and usually comes with high fever too. So as long as you're feeling ok, keep in mind that you will get lots of lumps, and they can become tender and sore but that doesn't mean mastitis. Rub it slowly as often as you can and keep warm rags on top of the area as well. They usually go away within a day or two but if you start feeling really sick, call you OB right away. Take care!

Hi K.,
Check out www.askdrsears.com and search "sore breast". There's a chart comparing engorgement/plugged duct/mastitis/breast fullness and how to treat each.
I would call the post partum unit at the hospital and ask the nurse if it's possible to get a rental pump regardless of the time, I was able to get one from my local hospital after hours, they just called the on-call midwife.
Try to empty the breast either by using the pump or try letting warm/hot water run over your breasts in the shower. You can try a warm compress. My experience with mastitis is that it progresses quickly from a lump to an infection. Watch for pain, fever, or redness at the site. Don't hesitate to call your midwife if the home remidies don't improve the situation. Be sure you are getting adequate fluids and plenty of rest. I know rest is a tricky one when you have active older children and the newborn isn't with you to kinda force you into resting/nursing.
Best wishes, K.

I think there is a pill the dr can give to dry your milk up, so you may want to ask about that. Can you ask the hospital about renting a breast pump. That way you could pump a little just so you could stand it as you dry up. That is what I did after I weaned my first son. I tried the old cabbage leaves remedy, but for me, other than being nice and cold they didn't dry me up. So I would just pump here and there, on no particular schedule like maybe an ounce on each breast and that would give me enough relief and I was dry in like a week. Also, when I had my second someone had given me these hot/cold pads. They are really nice you can stick them in the fridge and just pop them in your bra. You can get them at Wal-mart and Target and they are a life saver when you have tender breasts. So that might help you with the discomfort as you dry up. Hang in there, you'll make it:) I thought for sure I was going to have probs with my last one, but I just massaged a lot and used those hot/cold packs and I did ok.

Call your OB right away if you start running a fever and/or start getting flu like symptoms. I had mastitis with both of my sons and it totally kicked my butt. Otherwise, just a lump could be a clogged milk duct, take as hot of a shower as you can stand and let the water run onto your breast while you massage it. Good luck!

Mastitis presents not just as a lump, but as a larger area of breast that often appears pinker and warmer than the rest of the breast. It soon becomes very tender to the touch. Some women (BUT NOT ALL) will feel flu-like and develop a fever. Mastitis starts out as a blocked duct (which is what you probably have) that isn't cleared.

Warm compress, massage toward the nipple, pumping and drinking plenty of water should draw out the blocked duct. Once it clears, see if your doctor can write you a prescription or an electric pump. You can then pump you milk and give it to your 11 month old. You can even cook with it!

As for getting an 11 month old to return to the breast after months of being weaned, it unfortunately is highly unlikely that they will "remember" the mechanics of nursing at the boob. Nursing a breast is very different than the bottle. Whatever you do, don't force the breastfeeding issue with your child, or they can really be turned off to the breast.

You can try an SNS (Supplemental Nursing System) - this may help the child understand what milk comes from the nipple. You can also try a breast shield, which feels more like a bottle. But remember, just simply giving the child breastmilk is great, so don't too frustrated if it has to come in a bottle or sippy.

Best of luck!

Wait a second...you put your baby up for adoption just to avoid nursing him? I don't understand. I'm sure you're pretty stressed out right now, so maybe you didn't mean that?

EDIT: okay, I just read some of your previous posts. It sounds like you did put your baby up for adoption, but for a host of reasons--not simply nursing. I hope it went okay for you--you've given the adoptive parents the most self-less and wonderful gift you could ever give.

Yes, worry. Any kid of lump should be investigated (especially those that aren't tender). Chances are it's nothing. But, there's the probability that it IS something, and having this baby has made you discover it.

I was diagnosed with cancer (lymphoma) 10.5 weeks postpartum. I found a lump on my collarbone that most doctors thought was "unconcerning".
If you mention this to your doctor, they'll take it very seriously.

Mastitis will hurt. Clogged ducts will hurt. Cancer does not.