breastmilk lumps hurt bad... plse help??

Question

I've had difficulty breastfeeding my baby because harly any milk comes out .I now have a big lump on breast and it's red around that area...is there any thing i could do to get rid of it...i'm using a pump and applying warm water on my breast but that doesn't seem to work...anyone plse help.

Answer 1

Sounds like mastitis (infection in the milk ducts). Go see your doctor soon. But also read this article : http://www.askdrsears.com/html/2/T022200.asp

Important info:

TREATING MASTITIS
Treating mastitis is much like treating engorgement only more urgent. Try these suggestions in addition to those listed under engorgement.

Rest, rest, rest. Mastitis is an illness, so take a medical leave from all responsibilities other than breastfeeding. Take your baby to bed with you and nurse. Rest relieves stress and replenishes your immune system.

Alternate warm and cold compresses on your breasts. Cold compresses relieve pain; warmth increases circulation, which mobilizes infection-fighters in the inflamed area. Lean over a basin of warm water, stand in a warm shower, or soak in a warm bath. Warm water or a warm, wet towel is more effective than the dry heat of a heating pad. For cold compresses, use crushed ice in plastic bags or bags of frozen vegetables, covered with a thin dishtowel to protect your skin.

Gently massage the area of tenderness. This increases circulation, helps to loosen any plugged ducts in the area, and mobilizes local immune factors. Try doing this while soaking the breast in a warm shower or bath.

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. Breastfeeding is usually more comfortable when the milk is flowing. It's important to empty the inflamed breast. As in other parts of the body, fluid that is trapped can get infected. Your baby can empty your breast more efficiently than a breast pump. However, if your baby is not nursing well, you may have to use a breast pump or hand expression to get the milk out.

Vary the baby's position at the breast, so that all the ducts are emptied.

Take analgesics for fever and pain. Acetaminophen and/or ibuprofen are safe to take while breastfeeding. Unrelieved pain not only decreases your ability to produce milk, but suppresses your body's ability to fight infection.

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

Boost your immune system with good nutrition.

Sleep without a bra. At other times, wear a looser fitting bra that does not put pressure on the affected area. Or if possible, go 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.

If baby refuses to nurse on the affected breast, it may be because inflammation of the milk glands increases the sodium content of your milk, giving it a salty taste. Most babies either don't notice or don't mind, and go right on nursing. Some may object to the change and fuss or refuse to nurse from that side. Try starting the feeding on the unaffected side and finishing on the salty side. As the inflammation subsides, your milk will soon return to its usual taste.

Answer 2

Sounds like you have a plugged duct.

Vary baby's position when you nurse. Cradle hold one time, football the next, side lying the next, etc. This will help make sure you are emptying all the ducts.

Apply heat and do massage. A warm shower can help. Massage from the outside towards the nipple in little circles, kind of like doing a breast exam.

This is kind of awkward to suggest, but it works well. If you happen to have a vibrator, use it on the area that is plugged up. It can help break things up.

Apply heat before nursing to increase bloodflow to that area. Apply cold packs between nursings for swelling. Ibuprofen is safe to take for discomfort.

Drink plenty of fluids and take some vitamin C.

ETA:
What you have right now sounds like a plugged duct, which CAN lead to mastitis if it is not cleared up. This is NOT mastitis unless you have a fever and feel like you're getting the flu. If you have flu like symptoms, call your doc as you'll need an antibiotic for mastitis. You can also take cloves of garlic and chop them up into pill-sized pieces and swallow them. It's a great natural antibiotic.

Answer 3

sounds like a clogged milk duct is it hot when you touch the red spot? i would apply cold water not warm and massaging the breast start at the top of your breast massaging working your way down to the nipple and try expressing by hand it gets more milk out than a pump most of the time. cup your hands around the top of your breast gently appling pressure and squeeze down to your nipple hard to explain like they are doing in the picture in the first link, the second link is more info on clogged milk duct i breast fed my kids and got clogged milk ducts in both my breast with my first baby they say apply warm water but cold felt better for me. oh and another thing that made mine feel better lol sounds gross but lose the bra and get a big towel and put under your breasts so you dont leak all over your self and just go bra less for a while. i only did this at night when husband was asleep and i was watching tv felt a little strange at first but it felt good not to have my sore boobs scrunched up in a bra

Answer 4

Drink lots of water,take a warm bath,more rest,massage the lump.

Answer 5

Go see your doctor to make sure everything is okay!!, don't wait too long!! The sooner the better. Hope everything goes well!

Answer 6

go straight to the hospital. it could be mastitis. that is very dangerous.