I went to the ER to get looked at over the weekend and was give antibiotics for Mastitis. It seems to be still hurting but the redness is gone. I have a lump near my armpit that is sore, I try to massage it while breastfeeding. My upper breast has been getting increasingly hard. It's on the outter edges on half of my breast from the top and around the outter edge of my breast. I am nursing and pumping to get it soft but seems to stay hard. Help? I'm kind of scared. I don't want an abcess or get really sick. I don't have a direct line to my doctors office... I just got done with my prenatal OB and can't call them anymore. Does anyone have any insight on this?
2007-11-14 13:28:54 · 11 answers · asked by throughthebackyards 5 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
I had this a few weeks ago and the only thing that worked for me was letting the hot shower stream hit my breast while I massaged the lump for about 10 minutes and then immediately feeding my hungry baby while massaging it until the breat was empty. Once I did this the pain went away for good. Make sure not to wear tight bras or bras with wires. Also don't sleep so your breasts or being crushed.
2007-11-14 14:24:05 · answer #1 · answered by mamamia 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've had mastitis five times (all within 4 months) My saving grace was a hospital pump. I haven't had it since then. I did get an abscess around 8 cm and it was this hard lump. It's very obvious if you are going to get an abscess from mastitis. I was throwing up like crazy (the poor people in the breast clinic didn't know what to do with me.) I was actually taking antibiotics and they weren't working. I got sicker and sicker. I thought I was going to die. I was glad my mother let me stay the night (husband wasn't much help) and she took care of the baby. I was so sick I couldn't even hold her. However, once we got antibiotics that worked, the mastitis slowly went away but the lump stayed with me for weeks. The doctor said that since the mastitis was so bad that it was expected to continue to have a lump for awhile. It also continued to hurt for awhile. If you are sick still and are on antibiotics, go to an urgent care or the doctors, it might be the same issue I had were the antibiotics were ineffective. If it's just soreness, it's fairly normal. I've surprised your prenatal OB has cut you off, I was still calling them well after the baby was born.
2007-11-14 15:34:22 · answer #2 · answered by Serena 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had this with my 1st born son and didn't realize it at first. My doc didnt give me antibiotics for it he told he to nurse from that side more because it only affected one side. It was much bigger and the whole breast was hard not under the arm.
He also recommended to take a hot shower and let it run down on your breast. If you have a shower massage one hold it right on there for awhile. Also try a hot compress, hot water bottle and drink plenty of fluids. It takes a couple of days to go away but it will.
2007-11-14 13:46:15 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The hospital I gave birth at didn't push formula I could have said no but I knew that to be sent home she needed to have a bowel movement. A couple hours after she ate the formula she had a bowel movement and she was discharged from the hospital. Other than that she has been breastfed since birth. I am on WIC and they do not push one nor the another, they are only concerned about the babies nutritional needs and if they are being met. One reason why WIC asks is because they need to know if you need vouchers for formula or if you are breast feeding you get extra tuna and carrots.
2016-03-14 13:48:28 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Are you still taking your antibiotics for it? I went through the same thing, and I just had to keep taking the meds for a while... I was MISERABLE though during that time.... but I managed to get everything feeling better and I'm still breastfeeding! Stick with it too, it will make you feel so good about yourself that you are strong enough to keep going through all that, cuz most people just give up at the first twinge of pain! If you can just keep your little one nursing on that side eventually he will get the lump out. Make sure that (s/he) empties your breast each time they feed! But it might just take some time... trust me though, it goes away! Good Luck I hope you feel better!!
2007-11-14 13:36:36 · answer #5 · answered by Official Bethy 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Keep nursing and pumping and massaging. You are doing the right things. Can you call your doc in the morning?
Kellymom also has great info. There are some other things for you to try such as heat. They also suggest bed rest with baby, increase fluids and good nutrition, get help around the house.
Plugged Ducts and Mastitis
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mom/mastitis.html
2007-11-14 13:39:07 · answer #6 · answered by sharkyincanada 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Hardening Of The Breast
2016-12-13 07:54:42 · answer #7 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You might have to get creative, and a little gymnastic, but it really does help if you nurse with the baby's chin pointing to the lump.
If there's a plugged duct because of the infection, your baby will be able to work it free.
Like everyone says, heat is good. Moist heat (washcloth, shower) is best, but you can try a heating pad or even one of those self-stick heating pads for backs/necks/shoulders inside your bra. Massage the lump.
Take Tylenol or Motrin for the discomfort.
Sucks, doesn't it? (No pun intended.) It passes, but slowly.
2007-11-14 14:00:34 · answer #8 · answered by Yarro Pilz 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Maybe try putting a warm compress on your breast, or letting warm water in the shower run over it. I used to stand in the shower and massage my breasts because they would fill up so much and hurt. Getting a cloth and warming it with hot water and placing it on your breast might help some.
If it continues see your doc.
2007-11-14 13:36:57 · answer #9 · answered by Justina P 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with Yarro Pilz 100%
You need to get creative with nursing positions. It is important to thoroughly drain your breast.
2007-11-14 17:31:19 · answer #10 · answered by mom2jjorion 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋