Is it normal to feel lumps on your breast when you're lactating. The reason I ask is because a little while ago I was quite full of milk, I have an over supply, anyway, I went to pump and felt a huge lump on my right breast. It softened up after pumping but even when I was full before I never felt it until today. Is it normal?
2007-06-26 19:19:03 · 4 answers · asked by I smile because of them ♥ 5 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
Completely and utterly normal! There are reservoirs in your breast that fill up, a little like water balloons (but they do feel very hard!). As long as they disappear when your breast empties of milk, there is no problem. You probably never felt it before because that particular one may have had a slight blockage that meant it hadn't emptied fully the previous time you fed/pumped. Keep an eye on it though - sometimes a particular duct is prone to blocking and you need to make sure it doesn't regularly not empty - mastitis is NOT fun and even if it doesn't get infected it can be VERY sore anyway. You can help this by feeding the baby with his chin "pointing" to the particular area, since the lower jaw works the breast hardest eg. if it is on the outer side of your breast, the "football hold" is required. Once when I had a blockage on the above side, I had to feed with baby lying flat on his back, and me on all fours above him facing the opposite way - I felt somewhat bovine but it worked!
As always though, if you don't think it seems right then see a doctor and make sure you don't let them fob you off with "it's normal" if you are really concerned - the stress and worry is not worth it and you want to really get checked out.
2007-06-26 19:21:36 · answer #1 · answered by piano_kath 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It is normal to have such on your breast after pregnanacy but you must be watchful of it.Even if you do not feed your baby you must lactate your breast everyday.some of the Lactic canals on your breats sometimes get blocked and that can be the cause of lumps.
2007-06-26 19:26:29 · answer #2 · answered by anastazia 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Almost certainly nothing to worry about, but worth a word with your midwife if it continues. POssiblilty of it being mastitis - but I think you tend to feel a bit feverish with that too. Just keep an eye on it.
2007-06-26 19:22:47 · answer #3 · answered by Sal*UK 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yeah, it happens to me all the time...just try to feed every 3 hours or so and you should be fine.
2007-06-26 20:40:29 · answer #4 · answered by Tricia G 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋