Is it mastitis?

[williams85]

Hi
In currently changing over to bottle feeding my daughter and have been gradually swapping over feeds for the last few weeks. I've had some lumps and been getting some aches/pains in my breasts and have been told this is normal when stopping feeding and it should resolve after a few weeks. The last week I've had some flu like symptoms - feeling hot, headaches, achey. Not sure whether it's just coincidence that I've picked up a cold or whether it could be mastitis.
Any thoughts? (Sorry for the extra long post!)

[EsmesBees]

Do you have any red marks on the breast? It does sound like mastitis. When I had it it felt like a weight was pulling on the side of the breast, and there was a red 'flare' from the pain to the centre.

[williams85]

I've had a red rash on both breasts on and off for a few weeks. I saw the doctor about it a while ago and they said it's eczema. The pain is a bit like a deep pulling pain and aches when I hold my daughter up by my chest. It's not super painful all the time. The pain seems to come and go. Not sure what I should do about it?

[EsmesBees]

Well when I had it there was no mistaking it for mastitis. It came on really quickly and felt like flu. Maybe go back to the GP or a bfeeding clinic and ask again? It doesn't sound right whatever it is.

[williams85]

Thank you for your advice
I think I'll try to see the GP on Monday if it hasn't improved. My breast isn't hot to touch or swollen but does have some lumps. I've been told that's a normal part of weaning off breastfeeding but it's the flu like symptoms that I'm not sure about.

[williams85]

Anyone else have any advice on this? I went to the doctor and they said it doesn't seem like mastiis as the breasy wasn't painful to touch and she thought it could just be down to hormone changes with switching to bottle feeding. Still having the flu like feelings now and really want to feel better now!