Bruised breast?

[TheGirlAtTheRockShow]

Last night 7 week old DD slept through 6.5 hours between feeds. Obviously I became very engorged. When she woke she emptied one breast but didn't feed from the other. I pumped to relieve the pressure from this breast. She has fed as normal through the day. However, this afternoon the breast I pumped from has been feeling bruised on the underside, the other is a bit too, but worse on the side I pumped.
I pumped to establish milk supply as DD was premature and couldn't feed, so I don't think its the pump that has caused it.
Anyone else had this? Any ideas what has caused it and what I can do to relieve it?

[Monkeybrain10]

when u say bruised..is it hard in those areas? in which case it could be mastitis. i got this from the same situation. relieve it by getting baby to feed on it, massage it (even tho it's sore) to get the milk out of blocked ducts and express and massage if baby isn't emptying it. applying hot flannels can also help or having a bath then expressing.

[TheGirlAtTheRockShow]

Thanks for your response. No it isn't hard, just tender. DD is feeding from both sides as normal and does seem to be emptying both.

[eurochick]

It sounds like a blocked duct. Get in a hot bath or shower and hand express from the bruised area to clear it. It hurts but should stop it turning to mastitis.

[SaggyAndLucy]

I've had this. A sore spot. it was tender but not hard. I was a bit achey all over too and after a couple of days developed really tender nipples and stabbing pains in both breasts.
The first night it was tender i did all of the normal blockage stuff, hot shower, flannel, massage, pumping...
all that happened was I got a blister on my nipple for my pains.
I went to the gp in the end and I have antibiotics and anti fungals.
If this doesn't clear in a day or so, see a doctor sooner rather than later. If it is thrush or bacterial, you need to get it sorted.

[Superworm]

I would say either a blocked duct or sometimes my boob can stay sore for a day or two after being engorged or if I've cleared a blocked duct. It felts exactly like a bruise which it essentially is I guess.

[onedogatoddlerandababy]

Also try changing the position you feed in so that your dd drains all of the breast.
Kellymom is good for advice, I ended up with dd1 lying on my bed with me on all fours dangling a breast into her face to feed, sounds odd but it worked a treat though, completely cleared the blocked duct

[Philippalc]

It sounds like the beginnings of mastitis due to the engorgement over night. And a pump is often not as efficient as a baby. However by keeping the breasts drained you are keeping on top of it and if you follow the ideas in Mastitis Symptoms and Treatment and Breasts Full and tender you will hopefully feel better still tomorrow.

[TheGirlAtTheRockShow]

Thanks everyone! It seems to have settled down, so if it was a blocked duct I'm hoping it has unblocked.