Help! Breastfeeding question?

Question

My baby is almost 3 weeks old, and i have been trying to breastfeed him. For 1 day I wasn't able to nurse him alot and I didn't have a breast pump. Since then, I've had a fairly large lump on my breast that hurts alot and feels hot. I've read that it could be mastitis (I hope I spelled that right). Has anyone heard or experienced that before? If that's not it, what else could it be?

Answer 1

It's at the very least a plugged duct, but likely mastitis. It hurts like hell, and I'm sorry you're suffering with it. Here's what to do:

Continue to nurse regularly on both breasts - do not favor the breast that doesn't hurt as this will not help the mastitis. Your baby will not be harmed by the infected breast.

Use a very warm compress on the affected area, this will ease the pain and help with the plugged duct.

Call your doctor ASAP and get an breastfeeding-safe anti-biotic prescription if s/he determines it is mastitis.

Get TONS of rest. Until this goes away, your only job is to eat, drink lots of fluids, nurse constantly and sleep.

Feel better soon!

Answer 2

It is good that you are seeking help, and don't worry about your spelling at a time like this! What you describe is common in the first few weeks while feeding is getting established, and can lead to breast infection (mastitis). Mastitis is a serious problem and can get worse rapidly - Symptoms (as well as hot sore lump in breast) are like the flu: aches, pains, feeling very unwell and rundown. Also, your baby probably isn't feeding properly on that breast. You don't need a breast pump to express milk, you can do it manually, but often the only way it flows is when the baby feeds.

Because (for whatever reason) your baby didn't feed much and didn't fully drain the breast for a day or so, some of the milk ducts have become blocked. The heat is a sign of inflammation. Ducts can block because of unexpressed milk and water retention. If it is water retention it will probably get better by itself. But if you are feeling unwell and the baby is not feeding properly, you need to take it seriously. Having a three week old baby and mastitis symptoms means it will be hard for you to think clearly! Don't let anyone discourage you about breastfeeding because there are often hiccups in the first six weeks while you and the baby get to know eachother.
This is what you can do - don't worry and panic because what you describe is common and treatable. Massage the sore place all the time to try to unblock the ducts. Have a hot shower or apply a hot pack to the sore place. Drink plenty of water and get as much rest as you possibly can (lying down - milk is better the more rest you get). Take your temperature. See a doctor if you already have flu-like symptoms, fever, and the baby isn't feeding well - the breast infection can be cured by antibiotics like any other infection. But the problem can often fix itself.
You know about the 'let down' reflex, where after the baby is feeding for the first minute, the milk comes down and the baby gets abundant milk? Well, part of the breast has become blocked and the milk can't release. If you can still get the baby to attach to that breast, and can still get the let-down reflex to occur, you should massage the lump at that time and hopefully this will give relief.
The best cure is to feed the baby, feed the baby, feed the baby. Keep getting the baby to attach to that breast as much as you can for as long as you can, and apply hot pack or massage sore place while feeding. Feed the baby lying down if it feels better. The part of the breast that drains the most is the part where the baby's chin is, so feed the baby with chin near sore place (eg. if lump is at the bottom, you can feed baby lying down tummy- to-tummy with you). Don't worry how often you feed the baby just now, it won't harm the baby, the worst that can happen is more burps and vomits and you need that breast drained! When you are better, make sure you get the baby to drain the breasts fully at each feed.
I really hope you feel better soon.

Answer 3

It's a clogged duct, most likely. I had a couple myself, and I had the exact same symptoms. Here are some sites that can help:

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/194448/what_to_do_when_your_breast_has_a_clogged.html
http://www.babycenter.com/0_clogged-milk-ducts_8494.bc?Ad=com.bc.common.AdInfo%404af8905f
http://nhnh.essortment.com/cloggedmilkduc_rszv.htm
http://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/pa/pa_bfpducts_pep.htm
http://www.homemakingcottage.com/mother/clogged_duct.htm

My lactation consultant helped me a lot in getting rid of mine. She taught me a technique I can't find online, so I'll try my best to explain it to you. This should be done while your baby is nursing from the affected breast or while you are pumping the breast (best if it's the baby):

1. Using your index and middle fingers of whichever hand is more comfortable for you, locate the clogged duct.
2. Moving your fingers up from the clog, try to feel your way along the path of the duct. I could feel a line underneath the skin give.
3. GENTLY but firmly run your fingers back down the pathway toward the clog. Move over the clog and down to the nipple.
4. Repeat several times.

This technique worked like a charm for me. BTW, what comes out is a little weird, kind of stringy, so if you do this while using the pump, don't be alarmed when you see it. Also, don't worry about the baby. The lactation consultant said it makes no difference to the baby at all. Mom's milk is mom's milk, I guess. My baby didn't seem to mind at all.

Good luck, and I hope this helped. Clogged ducts feel terrible. Oh, one more thing--no matter how well-intentioned he might be, you might not want to let your husband try to help. Mine tried and just about crushed my breast. I ended up with another clogged duct next to the first one. Talk about pain!

Answer 4

i think all the above answers are excellent, as i've experienced both mastitis and a clogged duct before- neither are fun. the only thing i would not do is start her on formula. that is the only bad advice that i have seen for your question. work through it, bfing is hard work and time consuming but it is so worth it. you are a smart mama for sticking to it. call your doctor, or the hospital you delivered at for a lactation consultant, info on a la leche league (they are great). don't give up you're doing a great thing! congrats on the little one!

Answer 5

I think you should start your child on formula, and then worry about what the lump on your breast could be. The baby needs to eat, so first call the pediatrician to see what formula they recommend, or they may suggest you find a lactation specialist to help you use the proper technique to feed from the breast. If your baby isn't eating then he or she is starving. Start on formula, and when you find out what's going on with your breast, and they give you the ok to start breast feeding again then do that. The baby is 3 weeks old, and doesn't have a requirement for taste. I was able to feed my daughter formula in the hospital and then I would give her both at home, but now she is just on formula. Formula won't hurt your baby, and you can always just go back to feeding breast milk when you can. Get lactation help to be able to successfully breast feed. It happens to most women, so don't blame yourself for it not happening successfully. Practice makes perfect.

Answer 6

It sounds like it. You need to do 2 things. First call you Dr. and get in to see him. If it is he can get you some antibiotics for it. Second. Start pumping. Get the milk out. This will also help. I had it once and it really hurt so don't let it go on any longer then you need to.

Answer 7

You need to let your baby nurse the breast down as much as possible and call your doctor for advice. It will not bother your baby to nurse on that breast.

Answer 8

You need to go to the doctor because you may have an infected milk gland. Until you get there use hot compresses. It may relieve some of the pain.

Answer 9

that sounds very suspicious. Mastitis can be serious, I would probably go to the dr, you may need an antibiotic.

Answer 10

u should go to your doc