i think i'm engorged?

Question

i have a big lump on top of my right breast, it' kinda on my chest not really on my breast and it's hard. i pump my milk every 2 to 3 hours, baby never wanted to nurse. but now after i found the lump i'm pumping every one hour and a half, took a hot shower and massaged it, my breast feels empty but the lump is still there. what should i do please?

my son is almost 7 weeks old

Answer 1

This doesn't sound like engorgement to me. Engorgement is when your entire breast is big, heavy, hard to the touch, and definitely feels like it is full of milk. A lump usually indicates a clogged/plugged milk duct, which can quickly lead to mastitis (an infection that is very painful). The hot shower and massage was a good idea; while you are in there, see if you can try to hand express some milk to unclog the milk duct. If you can't and the lump remains, you should go to your ob-gyn to have it checked out. Not to alarm you or anything, but any suspicious lump on or near a breast should be checked by a doctor for malignancy just in case. If you start to feel some flu-like symptoms (fever, very sore muscles, headache), see redness around the lump, and have shooting pains through the nipple when nursing (or pumping in your case), see your doctor IMMEDIATELY, even if you have to page him/her. These are signs of mastitis, and it only gets worse until it is treated (usually with an antibiotic). Mastitis usually goes away fairly quickly (within a day or two) with appropriate treatment.

If you are willing, you might want to consider trying to get your baby back on the breast. A pump can't empty the breast the way a baby can, and this could have been the cause of your problem. I put some links below if you are interested. It would be a good idea to find your local chapter of La Leche League -- they can be very helpful, knowledgeable, and best of all, free.

Answer 2

This happened to me several times when I was nursing my daughters, now ages 2 and 4... baby doesn't nurse, so your breasts get full and engorged and lumpy, but even though you pump the lump doesn't go away. Keep encouraging the baby to nurse. Offer the breast first when she is hungry, and if she doesn't seem interested, try again with the other breast, or in a different position, or even another room in the house. Baby is better able to get the milk flowing through that swollen and lumpy breast than a pump.

I know it's uncomfortable, but the lump will go away in a day or so. It's true that warm showers will help, and also that you should let the shower spray directly on your breasts, as this will encourage your milk to let down and help relieve the discomfort and get that duct unplugged. The *most* effective thing to do is to offer that breast to the baby. It's okay to offer it first at each feeding as long as the other breast isn't getting too full - only do this until the lump is gone, then resume alternating which breast you offer first at each feeding.

Thinking about this brings back so many memories. Those lumps are so painful, but there should be no cause for alarm as long as you don't have a fever, and your breast is not turning red. If you call your OB, they should be able to give you a phone number for a local lactation consultant as well, who can confirm this information. If the lump is still there (and painful) after 48 hours, then let your doctor know.

But I wouldn't worry too much, like I said, this happened to me half a dozen times over the 3 years I nursed my girls, and it was always just a clogged duct. You might also browse through the La Leche League's website. Great info and nursing support. Good luck, don't give up!

Answer 3

I agree that you should at least be trying to breastfeed... a baby nursing would most likely be able to help you lose the lump. Babies are much more efficient than pumps, and I'd hate to see your milk supply drop from exclusively pumping, and you and your baby aren't gaining all the other benefits from nursing if you're only pumping. Are you working with a lactation consultant? They are priceless when you're a new mom. They'd be able to help you take care of your breast, and get your baby nursing. Good luck~

Answer 4

You're doing the right thing with continuing to pump, hot shower, and massage; it's likely a plugged duct. You might even pump that side more frequently if you can, and massge while you're pumping.

Keep an eye on it - if it gets tender or warmer than the rest of your breast or you feel at all feverish or nauseous, see your doc ASAP -- some plugged ducts if untreated can become infected, which is mastitis and needs treatment with antibiotics in most cases.

Answer 5

Ouch. Could be a plugged duct. Can you call your doctor? How old is your baby? I had to pump exclusively for the first 6 weeks because my baby was a preemie. She was too small to take the breast. But don't give up! After 6-8 weeks, she was happily nursing and still is over a year later!

Good luck!!!

Answer 6

hmmmm... thats not engorgement, but yes, its possible it could be a plugged duct...however, it really doesnt sound like it...it could just be a lump....doctors say not to do self-breast exams during lactation because, like during a period, there can be these weird lumps that go away on their own.....
if you start to feel pain on the side the lump is on....start to feel flu-like symptoms, tired, achy....that could be mastitis....(what a plugged duct can turn into) sometimes you will be feverish...its is quickly cured by antibiotic...but as a precaution, rest, drink plenty of water, boost your vitamin C, hot showers and pump often....if after a week there is no change...i dont think this is a plugged duct, it could just be a lump...

Answer 7

probably a glogged duct. the answer about the hot towell is a good idea. or hot showers and more massage. the thing is, babies get to milk that a pump never will,. if you were nursing she could probably get it. ouch. just warm compress and lots of rubbing. its not engorged though cuz you are pumping so much. good luck

Answer 8

"engorged" is what they call it when your milk first comes in. . . it's when your breasts "fill".

Pumping more frequently is just going to increase your production, not lessen the pressure.

You shouldn't have a lump-- see your doctor.

Answer 9

Wet warm towel for 5min before nursing.
Warm cold towel right after nursing for 5 min.
Good luck!