Breastfeeding Question Please help?

Question

I have been breastfeeding for 6 weeks now and recently like the past 2 days my boobs feel really sore especially around the nipple area. Like a hot burning pain. My boobs are always hard and sore even right after I finish nursing or pumping why is this and what can I do about it. Could I have some kind of infection. I only nurse at one breast a feeding because I have more milk than my baby needs and then at the next feeding he takes the other side so whats the problem.


OH and please don't ask me why I pump because everytime I post a question people ask "why are you pumping" and tell me that I shouldn't be pumping. That's not part of the question so don't bother mentioning that.

Answer 1

You could have an infection, which is best treated by more nursing on the affected side. It sounds like you might have some clogged ducts or mastitis. I linked to some info on mastitis below.

Are you massaging your breast when you do nurse? That can help prevent clogged ducts. Do you notice your breast getting softer as the baby nurses or when he's done? Or are you as hard after as you were before? If it's hard after nursing, the baby isn't latched properly to remove your milk, which can plug things up.

Sometimes babies get a little lazy in the latch after a while which can lead to soreness around the nipple. Make sure the baby is taking in enough breast and doesn't 'slide' off. If you're in pain, the latch is probably wrong.

Don't forget that the lactation consultants are available by phone. Call your hospital and ask to speak with them, they can give you more advice and the call is free. You can also take an anti-inflammatory like ibuprofen to relieve the pain.

Answer 2

I would like to offer you many "hugs", you are doing what is best for you and your baby and other people's opinions shouldn't matter.
NOW TO YOUR QUESTION- if the nipple are is sore is it possible the baby has an improper suction or is slipping off the breast during feeding? Are you using any kind of breast feeding cream?
If you had an infection your breasts my feel really hot (like a fever) have lumps in them, leak or have a strange discharge or be cracked and bleeding.
Try puting cool clothes on your breasts. They may be sore after feeding because the are not empty- THIS CAN be helped with using a breast pump to empty the breasts completely.
Good luck!

Answer 3

First of all pumping is smart because it prevents embarassing leaks. When i first started nursing my son my nipples were sore too my doctor told me to make sure that the babt wasn't sucking my nipple but to make sure that he had me aerola in his mouth because sucking the nipple can make them dry itchy and sore. Also in a feeding try and feed from both breasts because that's why theyre sore because they are engorged (full of milk) like after five minutes on one breast take the baby off of it by putting your finger in the corner of her/his mouth to detach and allow him/her to suck on the other this way your breasts won't be hard all of the time. Or if you don't want to do that while you feed the baby from one breast pump the other to relieve all of that milk it also imitates twins and keeps your milk supply up. Also put lanolin on your nipples to relieve the soreness it's safe for the baby too. you also could put cold cabbage leafs on your breasts but not too long because you could dry up your milk

Answer 4

It could be an infection. Bring this up to your OB. There's nothing wrong with pumping. I started pumping wheh my daughter was 3 weeks old. I liked being able to store it and let my hubby get up and give her a bottle in the middle of the night.

Answer 5

You might have an infection... Do not stop pumping/feeding.. Use ice packs and take warm/hot showers.. Massage the breasts in the shower... If it doesn't go away in acouple days seek medical attention.. You can freeze breastmilk in special bags... Good for you for doing both... Regards...

Answer 6

My daughter and I both had a thrush infection when she was about 6 weeks old. She had it in her mouth and I had it on/in my breasts. It was extremely painful. It was a burning pain like you describe, and it also felt like someone was squeezing my breast in a vice. I had to give my daughter meds and put a cream on my breasts and it did go away. Also, if it is thrush, the more sugar and starch you eat the worse it will get. Thrush is basically a yeast infection, and the sugars and starches encourage yeast to grow. Talk to your doctor so you can get any meds you might need.

Answer 7

I had that happen to me and I used a warm wash cloth and tried to express the milk manually. If you are that engorged then the baby and the pump may not be latched on all the way. Hope that helps

Answer 8

that is great which you're making plans on breastfeeding. do not over think of it. you mustn't be having 2nd concepts in the previous you even start up! you will see issues in yet in any different case as quickly as your toddler arrives. your total lifestyles differences and a number of the worries which you will think of up on your head suitable now won't stick to to the situation then. as quickly as you start up breastfeeding you will see that that could be a organic technique and your toddler will thrive. as quickly as you get going are committed to it, you will discover that 6 months of unique breastfeeding will wade by using quicker than you think of. sturdy success!

Answer 9

Clogged milk duct! Look it up at webmd.com for help :) And if it makes you feel better I pumped all the time and got them.

Answer 10

Go to the doctor. The quicker the better. It could be Mastitus.