I recently developed a sharp pain while breastfeeding on one side. It feels like a hot needle poking into my nipple. Ouch! I can't see anything different on my breast, except maybe a small bump on the underside of the tip of the nipple, which is now tender to the touch. This pain was sporadic over the past week or two, and I thought it was from my baby's new teeth. Now it happens each time I nurse her on that side, and it's gotten worse. I'm almost crying while feeding her. She's almost a year old, and I've slowed down on how much I pump at work and usually only nurse her morning and night on days when I work. She was also recently on Amoxycillin, in case that may have any effect on anything. She doesn't seem to have any symptoms that I've noticed (like thrush or anything), but maybe I'm not looking for the right thing?
Is there something I can do at home/work for this? If not, should I make an appointment with a lactation consultant? Other than a milk blister probably 10 months ago, I haven't had problems with pain while breastfeeding, and I'm bummed it's happening at her first birthday!
I didn't experience this myself but know of others that experienced a blocked milk duct. Maybe have it looked at to rule out that possibility? I do know that that can cause a lot of pain.
It sounds like a cloged milk duct, warm compresses are good and try to empty that breast as much as possible, you might try changing holds to see if releases but I had a lot of breast feeding problems and my best advice is to find a good lactation consultant. Ask your OBGYN who they recommend. They all don't have the same qualifications and finding someone who is good is hard to do. I went to 3 before I found someone who could help, unfortunatly that was in DC or else I would get her info for you.
Pain while breastfeeding is the worst! I saw a lactation consultant for the first time when my third child was 3 weeks. She was fabulous and made my wonder why I never had gone before. I had pain and she was able to tell me what it was right away. For me since my son was new he was biting my nipple to slow the milk flow, which caused nerve damage, thus shooting pain. I was told to take 200 mg of B6 for 4 days and 25 mg every day after that. She said B6 is an anti-inflamatory.
I have also had thrush with my other child. It was toe curling pain when he nursed, then itched like mad the rest of the time. My son's tongue also had a white coating on it. Almost looked like milk, but thicker and didn't wipe off.
I really don't know much on the subject, just wanted to share my experiences just in case it could be of some help. Another thing, when ever my daughter is on an antibiotic she gets yeast infections, so it may be worth checking out.
Feel better soon!
Great job still nursing! This too shall pass. I had similar experiences. Warm compresses help before feedings and keep feeding/pumping. It sounds like a clogged duct or perhaps one of the superficial glands right around the nipple. I had one of those too, it was just like a zit, I was able to "pop" it just by gently squeezing it and the pain decreased over a few days. Masage in the direction of milk flow should help as well. The suggestion below of calling lactation is great. I am involved with 2 hospitals and both have a consultant so I bet the clinic or hospital you are affiliated with has a specialist you could call. They do a lot over the phone. Good luck.
It could be a clogged duct. I had mastitis that started the way you described. If you can manage it, try nursing only on that side for a few days and pump on the other side, to see if you can unclog it. Hot compresses, ibuprofin, and warm showers may also help.
Jessica
I'd recommend calling the lactation consultant at a hospital (Fairview Ridges has one I think). I hesitated so long from calling until I realized a call is free!
