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Original poster

Breastfeeding issue

10 replies

OliviasMama21 · 05/01/2019 12:19

Hi all

Looking for some reassurance and advice...

DD is four months old and is ebf. This morning I have noticed that my left breast is tender (especially when touched) on the side nearest my armpit. It also feels hard. It's not a lump but is definitely isolated to that side. The other side of my breast feels fine so I know it's not full of milk and DD has fed from this breast as normal.

DD has her own issues which means I'm always back and forth to the gp so don't really want to go with my own issues if I can avoid it!

Has anyone had a similar experience?

Thanks in advance 😊

OP posts:

Beccaydwi · 05/01/2019 13:29

It could be a blocked ducts. If it is you need to unblock it. Even though it can be painful get your baby to feed from the breast and vary the position so that the chi is pointing at the sore spot. Feed often. Hot showers, as hot as you can bear, with the shower head pointed at the sore point. If it is a blocked duct then there is a lot of info available. The sooner you sort it the better or it can make you feel ill. Good luck.

Bluetrews25 · 05/01/2019 13:59

I agree it could be blocked duct, which can turn into mastitis. Feed from that side as PP suggested.
If you start to feel unwell with fever or shivers or alternating between the two, get medical help pronto. You would need antibiotics. It is possible (and better) to continue to feed even if this should happen.

FirstTimeMama21 · 05/01/2019 14:24

Thanks for the advice. Should I alternate each breast as usual or keep feeding from the sore one until it's relieved?

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MissKittyFantastico84 · 05/01/2019 14:29

Keep feeding from the sore one - try multiple latch positions. Including on all fours - the glam dangle feed (you might want some privacy for that one) which always helped me.

Also, I personally found that a ice compress alleviated the clogged area better than a hot one, so you could experiment.

Rubbing the area gently while you feed can help too.

I hope you get this sorted soon. Clogs used to make me miserable!!! xxx

3boysandabump · 05/01/2019 14:36

Sounds like blocked duct. Best way I've found to clear it is to sit with something that vibrates eg electric toothbrush pushed into the lumpy but with a hot water bottle held over the top. Do that for 10 mins then get a comb and comb the milk out. Hurts but should do the trick.

As pp have said if you start to get flu like symptoms you need to seek medical advice

heyjude12 · 05/01/2019 15:11

Please see your gp if the lump doesn't go

LouiseEH · 05/01/2019 15:38

I had exactly this a few months ago. It was a milk bleb, it’s a tiny bit of skin was had grew over the duct opening. It got so painful I couldn’t even wear a top, let alone breast feed as the pain was so bad!

I popped it with a sterilised needle, it was painful but once it was done the pain wasn’t as bad. I pumped the milk to drain the breast and I could feed on that side again after a few hours.

Haggisfish · 05/01/2019 15:39

I also fed while in a hot bath-took a bit of manoeuvring but managed it while massaging breast. Ibuprofen gel on it can help.

FirstTimeMama21 · 05/01/2019 16:52

Thanks everyone.

Lots of feeding on that side with her chin facing the hard area has helped. Still a bit tender and my nipple is stinging a bit but definitely getting better!

Haggisfish · 05/01/2019 21:19

Good. I found it took a day or two to settle.

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