ouch ouch ouch! Advice please!!

[pinkdoughnuts]

DS is 3 months & so far after the initial nightmare of split nipples in weeks 1 to 3 bfing appears to have been a breeze. That is until this morning..

My left breast has a really tender patch / lump, near the top, almost by my armpit, & it hurts whenever I put my arm down.

I've tried having DS feed more from that side, but it doesn't seem to have helped.

Any advice on what I can do to ease the discomfort & prevent anything from getting worse?

Thanks

[purplemyrtle]

Poor you! Might be some useful stuff here:

www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mom/mastitis.html#usualtreatment

Hope it's better soon!

[purplemyrtle]

Not suggesting you have mastitis but could be that thing aren't draining properly there so the stuff they suggest might help, especially massaging the area towards the nipple when feeding, I've always found hot shower on the area beforehand really helpful too.

[FaintlyMacabre]

Combing the breast with a wide tooth (fairly blunt ended) comb worked well for me, especially in a hot shower. It sounds as if it would be painful but isn't, don't worry.
A good tip I got from Kellymom (I think) was to use a disposable nappy as a hot compress- just fill it up with really hot water- it stays hot for ages, moulds to the shape of the breast well, and doesn't drip everywhere.

HTH.

[pinkdoughnuts]

Thank you - I'll have a look at that site & request DH goes to the chemist for a comb.
Hope it works, it's so uncomfortable already, don't know how I'll be able to sleep tonight if it gets any worse.

[iloveholidays]

Also, try getting your baby to feed with its chin at the angle where the pain is. Will result in a funny position - you might need to hang over your baby but will help drain the blockage. If you struggle, then try the rugby ball position.