Milk blister or bleb- what to do?!

[mumofthreeboysS]

I think I've got a milk blister (or bleb as they're also called) right inside my nipple. I can see a white/yellow bit but it's not very close to the surface. It hurts to bf and I know I can't pop it myself. I'm going to see a nurse this morning (no female doctors available) so will see what she says.

has anyone had this and how did you deal with it?? If they can't get rid of it and I'm stuck with it, I'm not sure I can continue to bf (after dealing with tongue tie, mastitis, blocked ducts etc) as it's so painful to feed :-(

[MissRatty]

Not much help I'm afraid, as mine was closer to the surface. I had it for weeks before deciding to be irresponsible and pop it myself with a boiled up needle. It worked and was gone completely in about five days.

The nurse will hopefully be able to assist you.

I don't know if its any consolation but I had a terrible first few weeks BF, mastitis six times, thrush twice, poor latch in DS and the milk bleb...I was honestly looking for any excuse to give up at that point, but at 16 weeks, it is so much better (help of BF cafe was great) and although I mix feed, I can't imagine having to give up BF!

[mumofthreeboysS]

thanks MissRatty well the nurse gave me some antibiotics- hopefully these will shift it!

Sounds like you've really been through the mill! I kind of feel the same- after ff my previous two DC's (and finding some advantages over bf) I sometimes think I could give bf up easily but actually when I think about it I think it'd be more of a wrench than I realise- despite it not always being easy. I'll keep going for now- it is a great feeling knowing how much I've overcome and still managing to do it.

[GimmeDaBoobehz]

I did have a milk blister but mine too was a lot closer to the surface and only took 3 days to burst.

It actually came on day 2 of breastfeeding when I was still in hospital. Because it was close they decided not to give me antibiotics and just gave me soothing cream to put on it. They actually said the chances are LO will burst it. I thought that sounded disgusting for her but they said it will only be slightly bitter with a tiny spot of blood and wont make her ill. The thought made me want to be sick though, to be honest.

I'm not sure if she popped it whilst feeding or if it was me doing pumping as I had to start doing that on day 4 in the hospital due to low regaining of weight but either way it went. It was about half a centimetre long and white and on the left part of the right nipple. It was more awkward than outright painful but to be fair I had a c section so that pain probably clouded my judgment.

I really do sympathise with you ladies. I only had a small bout of mastitis and only one bleb. I did have some latch problems with DD though and had to start to mix feed. It hasn't harmed her though as she's 11.3 months and still breastfeeding so must've done something right.

[crikeybadger]

I'm no expert but I'd be surprised if antibiotics will do much to help it... It's not an infection after all.

You could try warm compresses and some massage-or a clean needle once it comes to the surface.

[MyNameIsAnAnagram]

I've had a couple on my nipple and popped them with a needle.