The other night I was exhausted and fell asleep with my day underwire bra on. I nursed my newborn throughout the night laying on my side. The next day, my boobs were very sore on the outer sides. I figured maybe it was because I slept with the underwire and it dug into my breasts when they would get full. Today, they are still a little sore, but only on the sides. It feels like a tender bruise. I've tried to rub them to see if I can feel any lumps or clogged ducts but it hurts so I have to do it very gently. I don't feel anything out of the ordinary except for the pain and tenderness. This morning I woke up feeling very "achy". The same achy you feel when you get the flu,but I have no other symptoms such as fever,cough,stuffy head or nose,etc...just the achiness in my bones and body.
I just read a post where someone was asking about mastitis and being the hypochondriac I am, I am worried that I have this. What is mastitis exactly and does it sound like I may have it? My boobs hurt but I cant seem to find any hard lumps although maybe I'm not pushing/massaging hard enough?
Well, I am SO glad I asked ths question because your responses prompted me to call my OBGYN and it turns out that it WAS a case of early mastitis. The main cause being my underwire bra! I took a long 20 minute HOT shower and aimed the water at my hurt breast(boy did it hurt!) for about a good 10 minutes, then nursed as much as possible. Today I woke up feeling great and the pain is gone. :) I think its cleared up but I bought some hot packs from Target just incase.
For me, I only got the achyness once the fever hit. I would still treat it as if it were mastitis (warm cloth, message, pump now and then). Once the fever hits then get an antibiotic as fast as you can cause the fever can get REALLY high and it is absolutely miserable.
Alexandra,
The greatest advise I can give is raw cabbage leaves on your breast!! It sounds wiered but with having this problem with two out of my five it really works with tylenol for your aches and fevers. Leave cabbage leaves on inbetween feedings and not at night, you should feeling better in about two days. This advise came from several O.B. doctors in CA.
Hope you feel better soon,
J. B.
I've had that more times than I care to remember in the past two years. Yuck-o! My symptoms were the same as yours...achy, tender breasts, fever, flu-like body aches. I have also had light red spots/marks on my breasts. It happens if I nurse my baby on only one side during the night.
Only the first time lasted more than a day & my fever then was quite high, so my OB prescribed an antibiotic. Every other time it's been short lived so I haven't bothered with medication.
Hi! I am a new mom and wasn't sure if I had this when I suspected the same thing. It is very common in nursing moms and quick to fix. It is basically an infection you get from a clogged milk duct. Most common symptoms are high temperature (I ran about 102-104, feeling like you have the flu - achy and very tired, very sore tender breast, and redness on the skin of the infected breast. I could never feel an actual lump just a hardening in the breast on that side. I called the doc and he gave me antibiotics and told me to use a warm compress especially right before nursing. Always start nursing with the infected side - it'll hurt but baby is more likely to suck harder at first helping to release the clogged ducts and get rid of the infection. Also massage the breast as nursing from the outside inward toward your nipple. I started the antibiotics and tips and started feeling better the very next day. It took a few days for the soreness to subside. Hope this helps. Let me know if you need any other help.
I never had lumps either when I got mastitis... just the achy feeling you're describing, and my breasts were very full, sore, and slightly red near the sore areas. I would agree that seeing your doctor is the best bet.
In the meantime, you may want to put a bag of frozen peas or cut corn on your breasts with a towel between. It really helps with the pain!
I've had it twice. The first time it was very tender and it actually apeared purple. Also I felt like I had the flu. I was achey and had a fever. The second time the spot was really sore but never turned purple. Istarted getting the aches and knew it might get worse, so I went to the doctor. One way to tell is if while the baby is eating, you get kind of a sharp tingling pain in the spot, or under your armpit. This means the duct is clogged and it's trying to move. Keep a warm compress on it and always feed the baby on the hurt side first. Also pump when you are done feeding and put a cold compress on afterwards. This can help unclog it. Hopefully it will unclog before it gets wosre, cause I know it sucks! Good luck.
I would agree w/ everyone that it does sound like it could be mastitis, although it seems a little strange to get it on both sides at the same time. I was able to resolve mine by sitting in a friend's tub that had massaging jets-- very hot water-- and aimed one of the jets right on the sore/hard area. Wow, it was painful, but it resolved it right away and I was feeling worlds better the next day without having to take drugs that would pass on to my babe.
One thing I haven't seen in others comments that I read and heard from several reputable sources is that you really shouldn't wear underwire bras, day or night, while nursing because they can be a cause of mastitis. I know tons of places sell them, but try to avoid them if you possibly can. I hope you are doing better, and if not that you are really soon. Hang in there!
Warm compresses
Hot showers while you massage your breast from the chest wall out toward your nipple(s)
Nurse a lot
Pump if you can
Go see a Doc if it doesn't get better soon!
NO CABBAGE LEAVES! this is a homeopathic way to use them if you want to dry up your milk! so unless that's your goal, don't use them!
For further advice, I would contact your local La Leche leader.
http://www.lllusa.org/web/DallasTX.html
HTH
K. Hotz, mama to
Catherine, 4yrs (nursed for 2.5yrs)
Samuel, 1yr (and still going strong)
Yup, it could be mastitis. Go to your Dr to get it checked out. The sooner you get on the antibiotics, if it is indeed mastitis, the better. I never had lumps when I had it. I did get plugged ducts, and those can turn into mastitis as well. www.kellymom.com usually has good information on it too.
I have had mastitis 3 times. It is exactly as you describe, with aches and a low grade fever. You should call your obgyn for some antibiotics to clear it up.
It sounds like you have the infection. I had it with my 4th baby and it hurts! You need to go to the doctor and get an antibiotic!
It sounds like mastitis to me. I had it three times with my last child. I had extreme tenderness, redness and pain accompanied with aches all over and fever and chills when it was at its worst. I went to the doctor and was given a series of six shots and antibiotics the first time and was able to handle it the other times with warm compresses/massage, pain relievers (Childrens Tylenol), and expressing milk in a warm shower - even though it was very painful. Bless your heart. I hope you feel better soon.
Congratulations on your decision to breastfeed! (tho I know it's not much fun right now). I agree with what everyone else has written so far, it does sound like the beginnings of mastitis. You do want to pump a lttle to help unclog the milk ducts, but Be Careful not to pump excessively. If you get over-zealous about pumping, your body may try to up your milk supply so you'll stay full & exacerbate the problem. Also check out La Leche League--a world wide breastfeeding organization. http://www.llli.org//
They have a ton of excellent info & resources.
Good Luck!
(BTW-I breastfed my oldest for over 2 years & am currently nursing 8 mo. old twins)
