My daughter recently weaned herself from breastfeeding (about three weeks ago) and my milk supply has since completely dried up. However in the last couple of days I have noticed a lump in my right breast that is quite painful. I assume it is a clogged duct but I'm not sure. I am wondering if this is something others have experienced and if anyone has suggestions on how to take care of it.
Thank you to everyone for your tips, advice, concern...I really appreciate it. I have just been massaging the area everyday and it seems to be clearing out the duct and with some ibuprofen the pain has subsided a bit. I have had no signs of fever, nausea or anything that has made me think this is an infection but I will keep a close eye on it.
I breastfed all four of my children and found drinking lots of water and warm washcloths on it several times a day helped...
A red & hard lump that is accompanied with flu-like symptoms or a low grade temp could be mastitis(infection of the mammary gland). Even though you're not breastfeeding anymore, there can still be some milk especially if it was just three weeks ago. Any lump on your breast should get checked out and if there is pain at the site it could be an infection.
Hi J.,
It sounds like a clogged duct; however, I recommend seeing your OB to make sure. Best thing to do in the meantime is keep a warm washcloth on it and message it while it's warm. Hopefully it will work itself out.
Good luck!
Warm Regards,
G. Van Luven
Hi J.!
Check with your doctor ASAP. I think he/she will give you an antibiotic to clear it up. The longer you wait, the longer it hurts.
I had a lump that developed 8 months into breastfeeding. My Dr. wanted to have it checked out, so I went for a mammogram. They couldn't do a mammogram until 2 or 3 months post breastfeeding, so they did an ultrasound instead. It checked out normal, and I quit breastfeeding the next month. 3 months later, the lump disappeared. It's probably a good idea to check with your doctor just to be reassured that it will disappear with time.
I have had several Breast infections. The first 3 with my third child and 1 with my fourth child.
The pain was excruciating, very high fever, vomiting, extremely sore breast and the breast where the infection was was red.
My last infection was not so bad. I had a tender spot on my breast and would use the breast pump to get out any milk.While pumping I would massage the sore area quite hard to open up any block ducts.
I used the heating pad before I pumped.
If it seems to get worse, then get a prescription from your Dr. Trust me you dont want this to get out of hand.
J., it sounds like you may have mastitis. I had it twice in the first three months I was breastfeeding. You need to schedule an appointment to see your OB. She will check you out and give you antibiotics to combat the infection. However, since you're not nursing, and you'd still need to get the duct cleared, I'm not sure what to suggest. When I had it I had to nurse my daughter frequently from that side to clear the plugged duct. Do not let this go because it can really become horribly painful. Check out this site. It may be helpful. http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mom/mastitis.html
I would go to my OB or NP and check for sure. Maybe you even have a small infection if it is painful to touch. They can get you on antibiotics if that is what you need.
it sounds like a clogged duct. I would get those as well. Get a hot wash cloth as hot as you can stand and hold it over the area for a while and then try to massage it. Sometimes you can help break it up. If it last too long I would get checked out just in case you are developing a cyst. Blessings....D. E.
I am a mom of 2 beautiful children one is 5 and the other is 10
Go to the doctor you don't want to take any chances.
Good Luck
A.
www.romance2nite.com
J.- You might try getting into a warm/hot shower and gently massaging the area. If it is a clogged duct, the massage can help to reduce the swelling. Also, if the lump is painful to the touch and feels warm, see how you feel overall. Are you overly tired, running a fever? If that's the case, check with your OBGYN to make sure it's not Mastitis- infection in the breast. Drink plenty of fluid as well and take some Ibuprofen. Helps with inflammation.
Congrats on the weaning. I am trying to ween my 15mo old. However, I also have a 9 year old and she weened herself when she was about a year old. At first I didn't have any lumps, but when she was 3 (a whole 2 years later), I got what looked like a 3rd nipple right nest to my right nipple. It hurt and was leaking stuff. I thought for sure it was a form of cancer, because some breast cancer has the same symptoms. I went to the Dr, and she told me it was a clogged milk duct. Imagine that, 2 years after I stopped breast feeding. Anyhow, it probably is a milk duct. Try some warm compresses both on the area and up under your arm pit. It might help. See the Dr if it persists.
Do check with your doctor asap, but in the meantime, you can relieve pain and perhaps unblock things with hot pads and massaging the area. If you have any of those that can be heated in the microwave, those are good. Then, since your daughter has weaned, try to pump a little. If you can get things moving through there, you may clear it. I had tons of problems with this, but never needed antibiotics because they always cleared before there was any infection.
Hi J.!
I did have a similar situation. It turned out to be an infected gland. However, when it comes to your breasts and lumps - don't assume - please go to the doctor, you don't want to risk it being something much worse.
Hot showers, warm washclothes every hour (or as often as posssible), massage it all the time. If you get a fever and nauseus, go to the dr.
