I just started breastfeeding a 3 day old baby, and all of a sudden see a huge painfull lump under my armpit?

Question

is this something to be worried about?

Answer 1

If you don't have a fever then it's probably not mastitis. But leaving a milk duct plugged up can quickly lead to mastitis. You should massage your breast from above the lump (in your case the armpit) down until the milk is flowing pretty good.
To unplug the duct and prevent subsequent infection, try these suggestions:

Continue to breastfeed on the affected side. By any means, get the milk out! This is the golden rule of preventing engorgement, plugged ducts, and mastitis. Use a breast pump or hand expression if baby is unwilling to nurse.

Breastfeed on the affected side first. Baby's sucking is strongest at the beginning of the feed, so he is more likely to dislodge the plug when he starts on the affected breast.

Vary the baby's position at the breast, so that all of the milk ducts are drained. Be sure the baby is latched-on well, so that he can nurse efficiently. Try the clutch hold or side-lying position. Before each feeding, massage the affected area by kneading your breast gently from the top of the breast down over the plugged duct toward the nipple.

Drain the affected breast better by positioning baby so his chin "points" to the area that is sore. For example, if the lump is around 4 o'clock, use the clutch-hold and position baby's chin around this point on the nipple clock. The lower jaw is often most effective at getting milk out of the breast.

Apply moist heat compresses for a few minutes before feeding or pumping, or soak the affected breast in warm water or in the shower as described under Engorgement

Rest. Lie down with the baby and nap-nurse.

If you notice a small, white dot at the end of the milk duct on your nipple, that is the end of a plugged nipple opening. Apply moist heat on this white blister and with a sterile needle gently pop the blister. If this pore stays plugged, it could block milk drainage and lead to a plugged duct and mastitis.

Try a pressure massage on the area of your breast that is swollen and painful because of a plugged duct. This may help to loosen the plug. With pressure massage, you do not actually move your hand over the skin as you would with a normal massage. You simply press more and more firmly with the heel of your hand to move the plug in the duct down closer to the nipple.

Answer 2

Probably a plugged duct (yes you have milk ducts under your arm). If it doesn' clear up in 2 days go to your doc.

If you start running a fever or get flu like symptoms, go to your doc as you will need antiboiotics otherwise it will become an abscess and require surgery.

DO NOT STOP BREASTFEEDING-AS THIS WILL MAKE IT WORSE!!!!!

Things you can do to feel better:

Rest, rest, rest.--the best thing you can do is take 24 hours and lay in bed with baby and nurse on demand. Have dad or grandma or a friend wait on you and take care of your needs.

Alternate warm and cold compresses on your breasts. Cold compresses relieve pain; warmth increases circulation, which mobilizes infection-fighters in the inflamed area.

Gently massage the area of tenderness--start behind the lump and work your way toward the nipple--do this during the feeding. This increases circulation, helps to loosen any plugged ducts in the area

Breastfeed frequently on the affected side. If it hurts to nurse the baby, start the feeding on the breast that is not sore, and switch to the sore side after your milk lets down

Vary the baby's position at the breast, so that all the ducts are emptied. Try to point baby's chin toward the sore part of the breast.

Take analgesics for fever and pain. Acetaminophen and/or ibuprofen are safe to take while breastfeeding.

Drink lots of fluids, as you would if you had the flu. Fever and inflammation increase your need for fluids.

Sleep without a bra

Don't quit nursing at this point. Weaning increases the risk of a breast infection turning into a breast abscess that requires surgical draining. Continuing to nurse your baby is the best treatment for engorgement, mastitis and breast infections.

Have you seen a Lactation Consultant or a La Leche League Leader? (A LLL Leader will help for FREE and might be able to visit you at home.) http://WWW.LLL.ORG
Get advice from other breastfeeding mom at the LLL forums http://forums.llli.org/index.php

Answer 3

Oh thank GOD you meant three DAYS old. :)

I think that indicates a clogged duct or mastitis. Are you running a fever? If so you really need to see a doctor.

Make sure you feed the baby starting on that side. Use warm compresses and let the hot shower water run over your breasts. Try massaging the lump moving towards the nipple.

Either way make sure you talk to your doctor. A lump in the the armpit is where your lymph nodes are and can indicate a more serious problem.

Answer 4

I think this is not a huge deal! The baby is only 3 days old, and you just got your milk! I have a 2 month old baby, and clearly remember my first milk coming: I had some lumps(like small hills ) on my chest and under armpits. I just took a shower ,massaged my breast a little and at night I nursed my baby. So all the lumps disappeared. I did not have engorgement either. So , I think you should massage and nurse when baby wants to, and you'll be fine.

Answer 5

Sounds like a clogged milk duct. You have to be careful because it could turn into mastitis. Take a hot shower or put a hot pack on the lump rub it out also. When you put your baby onto latch try to put his or her chin in the direction of the lump. If you are wearing a under wire bra change bras sometimes the under wire can block milk ducts. Lastly if you get a fever and have flu like symptoms call your doctor right away because that is symptoms of mastitis. Good luck.

Answer 6

This is probably a build-up of milk. It's not a problem yet...but it can turn into mastitis. If you start getting flu-like symptoms see a dr. Otherwise, get into the shower, turn the water to as hot as you can reasonably stand, run the hot water over the affected area, and gently massage the sore area from the base of your breast to the tip. What you want to do is get rid of the excess milk in that part of the breast. This method is also really good if you are getting engorged. Some suggest cabbage leaves. I find them to be suprisingly relieving on sore breasts.

Answer 7

sounds like a plugged duct.. a plugged duct is from not emptying your breast fully...try this...
try breast feeding every 2 to 3 hours, the sucking will help relieve the plugged duct, before feeding try taking a shower or place warm wet washcloths on your breasts,, massage your breast before feeding and during feeding, firmly massage the breast from behind the lump and towards the nipple area to aid drainage,change the baby's nursing position,, drain one breast well before switching to the other, get lots of fluids, make sure your clothing and bras are comfortable and not to tight, with continued nursing plugged ducts usally clear up within 24 to 48 hours,, if you develop a temperature or the lump dosent go away you may have mastitis, it is an infection in the breast tissue or milk ducts, you will get sick with chills and aches. the breast may feel firm, swollen, hot, and painful and may appear red or have red streaking, you should call your doctor if you think you have this,,

Answer 8

I would ask a doc. But my wife had lumps in her breast with our first baby. It was because of swollen milk glands. The baby was not drinking enough, and the milk had nowhere to go. We had to purchase a breast pump. Warm compress with a damp towel also helps. If untreated, the lumps will have to be removed surgically becasue it can lead to infection.

Answer 9

ok I thought you said 3 year old.
Just pump your breast to remove the lump, when milk gets clogged in your breast, continue breastfeeding and pumping your milk and/or use a heating pad on your breast to release the clog.
If it hasn't come out yet,lets say for a week or 2, then see a doctor about it.

Answer 10

That happened to me also I was put on an antibiotic. For the relief of pain I would get in the hottest shower possible then nurse the baby immediately