skin red on one boob - b-feeding?

Question

I have been expressing exclusively for my 2 week old and up until now been fine (getting 6-8fl oz each time I pump) but now my right hand boob has developed really red skin and I have a cold face cloth on it under my bra. Its really tender. Any ideas? Been taking paracetamol and expressed enough to relieve it but its not going away. Been like this for last 6 hours or so. Do I have an infection? Mastisis?

actual nipple is fine, just red skin on inside of boob towards cleavage.

am exclusively expressing as my baby sucks so hard it was too painful, was the same for my first-born as well.

also, felt v lethargic all day today, been feeling cold despite central heating on. Flu-like symptoms it could be.

Answer 1

I agree. Check with a doctor as soon as possible or contact a local Le Leche representive. Make sure the person you are talking is PRO breastfeeding. Some doctors will tell you just to stop cause it's just easier for THEM and they think it will be easier on you. Not sure why your are expressing exclusivley for your newborn either. (ICU? Latch on issues? Just for work?) But make sure you tell the La Leche folks that or you doctor. DO get care as soon as possible. Try the web page to get in contact with a local la leche leauge member. If that doesn't work, looking up breastfeeding supplies in your Yellow Pages. Contact the store and ask them if they know anyone who could help.

Also, look into getting some Lansinoh. Great breastfeeding cream. Safe for baby. It's medical grade Lanolin. Very soothing. Available at Target the last time I checked.

Answer 2

I think people have given you some good answers, and I'd just like to add encouragement about speaking to a La Leche League person or Lactation Consultant. If someone can actually Show you some tips on how to hold your baby and get his mouth open wide you should be able to breastfeed without pain. Sometimes a little thing can make a difference - I learnt this with my first. (And it's alot less hassle than expressing!)
No.1 - hold the baby's whole body facing you, tummy to tummy.
No.2 - have his head halfway along your forearm, not up in the crook of your elbow (this was my error!) so that he will be pulling outwards, not sideways.
No. 3 - When he gapes his mouth open wide, aim his nose for your nipple and bring him to your breast (not breast to baby).
No.4 - You should be able to see more of your areola above, by his nose that below his chin. And when he is latched on you can check whether his bottom lip is turned out, I have seen some babies suck that into their mouths and that Hurts!

All the best, and hope you feel better soon. The best treatment for mastitis is to keep the milk flowing.

Answer 3

Mastisis is normally accompanied with a fever and hardening of the breast with flu like symptoms. It could be the start of it however. It could also be sore from pumping, or even a blocked duct. Id massage the area gently and use cold or hot wash cloths. If it doesn't go away id call a Dr.

Answer 4

Definately sounds like mastitis. My sister in law and I both found the same thing worked for us when we had it...Garlic - lots of raw garlic. Garlic is a natural antibiotic, plus you don't run the risk of getting thrush from prescription antibiotics. I would chop 2-3 fresh garlic cloves and swallow them with with water before you go to bed. Repeat the next morning and evry 4 hours as needed. I usually felt better just after one "dose". Make sure you are nursing as much as you can on that side...You want to try and keep it empty. Hot showers and compresses will help, too.

*Also, off the subject, it is normal for nipples to be very very tender for a couple weeks after birth - it is hormonal. It is probably not related to your baby's latch. Mine hurt for 4 weeks after having my second child. I was surprised since I was still nursing his sister. After my hormones straighted out, it stopped hurting again. I would encourage you to try to get your baby back to the breast. Exclusive pumping is hard work and mastitis can happen easily since the pump will never fully drain the breast. Remember that pumping is an unreliable way of determining how much milk you have. Babies are much more efficient than a pump. I could never pump more than 2 oz (total both sides) and yet I exclusively nursed for over 8 months so she was getting plenty.
Make sure you thouroghly wash all your pump parts in soapy water especially while you have mastitis.

There's a support group on www.mothering.com for people who are pumping exclusively. Go to "breastfeeding challenges".
http://www.mothering.com/discussions/index.php

Answer 5

It may not be Mastisis...the pump may have made you sore, also most babies latch on better one side thatn they do the other....you could try nipple cream or the famous old remedy cabbage leaves in your bra....know it sounds mad but it really works!!!....its natural and helps the soreness reduce.
If in 24 hours its no better then I suggest that you speak to midwife or your Dr.
I know How it feels have been there!
Congrats on the little one! x

Answer 6

Could be mastitis, had this on my last one!
Is it swelling and feeling tender to touch?
if so, get in touch with midwife/doctor as soon as!

I left mine go for a day and had it in the other breast, had to stop feeding for a while!

felt like a pins and needles type of thing and boy they just grew before my eyes!
You have my sympathy..

Answer 7

If it's red on the nipple and aeorla then it could just be a sore nipple. If it's red on another part of your breast, my best guess would be mastisis.

Answer 8

It could be mastitis. Get a professional opinion as you may need antibiotics if it is. You may have just been too vigourous when pumping tho. Best get it checked out as either way this may need attention

Answer 9

Sounds like it could be, until you can see someone tomorrow, if you have a savoy cabbage at home, slip a leaf from that in your bra, I dont know why, but it really works.

Answer 10

i dont know. i never experienced that kind of thing.