Very painful lumpy engorged breasts

[kelswebb]

Hey guys
New first time mummy here
Hoping someone can offer me some advice.

At delivery my LO had to go to NICU for the for the first 3 days. I had delayed contact with him and struggled with milk production so on the advice of doctors combination fed until 7 weeks, I am now ebf and for the last week have had terrible engorgement. Being treated with antibiotics for mastitis and trying everything to keep both breasts drained but not having success. Hot showers, hot and cold compressions before during after feeding, hand expressing, pumping, feeding constantly I have had latching and positioning advice. LO can get agitated when the flow seems to slow down. On looking at my breasts I think I may have blocked ducts. Feels like they're are grains of sand around my nipple and surrounding areas. Breasts are hard, after feeding they are still hard deep in the breast, i have tried massaging and compressions. Pain radiates from my arm pits and along coller bone down to middle of my chest. Feeling incapable and really could do worth some advice and support.
Sorry for the long waffle lol
kelsey x

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

webb how would you feel about giving one of the Bfing Helplines a call? A BFC would be able to talk to you about the correct treatment for mastitis and blocked ducts

It might also be worth getting you Lo checked for tongue tie. Have a read and see if any of the symptoms sound familiar

[Superworm]

Well done for BFing after such a difficult start. I would second getting checked for tongue tie. It was the cause of my feeding problems. DS would stimulate the breast but not be able to extract the milk properly, which led to mastitis that I couldn't shift.

From experience it's also worth being aware of over supply from expressing. It became a vicious circle for me. As I was clueless and had no idea what I was doing, I was expressing far more than I needed and getting engorged. Definitely get some RL support if you can.

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

How are things this morning?

[JustPretending]

Combing with a wide-toothed comb down the breast towards the nipple can help. Use some shampoo or shower gel to reduce friction, and be gentle. Try it in the shower.

[TiredandGrumpy2014]

Hope you're feeling better today?

You have my sympathy- I've suffered a lot from blocked ducts and mastitis and it's pretty miserable isn't it?

Sounds like you're doing all the right things by feeding, massaging etc. A few more things I do include

• ice pack wedged inside my clothes between feeds to reduce swelling then a quick blast of a hot shower or hot flannel immediately before a feed
  
• massage with soapy flannel- I find you can get a nice firm even pressure without it being excruciating!
  
• ibuprofen
  
• have a cry if I need one!
  

I'm never sure what really does the trick at shifting the lump in the end but sometimes I think it's just time so I manage the paim as best I can til then.

But if things aren't seeming better after a few days on the antibiotics I would try your gp again.

Hope this helps and things ease soon.

[kelswebb]

Hi Ladies :)

Thanks for your kind advice I was losing motivation and was very near giving up.
Things seem to be getting better, the inflammation and pain are reducing but I'm not sure whether that's the antibiotics kicking in? Feeding little manas much as possible still and have stopped pumping. The lumps are definitely getting smaller. Will my body re-adjust? Or do I need to be draining breasts fully after every feed?
It doesn't look like he has toungue tie but im going to check with my dr on monday anyway.
I have emailed the le leche leaugue and waiting for a phone call or reply.

Thanks again :)