Pain and hardness in breast - mastitis?

[nesomja]

I've been breastfeeding for 2 years with no problems and now suddenly one breast is painful and feels hard - have fed on it twice this evening - could it be mastitis at this late stage? If so, what can I do about it?

This NHS website lists the symptoms, which include pain and swelling.

It's definitely worth getting it checked out by your GP though nesomja, just to be sure and get it sorted out! No need to be in pain.

Good luck.

is there redness in any area? and do you have flu-like symptoms? I had a blocked duct the other week which gave redness but luckily managed to avoid mastitis; have had it before. Unfortunately best way to clear it is to still continue feeding from the breast... gently massage breast with flat of hand from chest to nipple prior to feed to try and clear block, use a warm (not hot) flannel. Savoy cabbage leaves (with stalk cut out, kept in fridge to be nice and cold) helps too.

It's definitely not engorgement though, is it? That's similarly hard and lumpy but without redness, I think.

It sounds maybe more like a blocked duct. Is one area of the breast red and sore, or is it the whole breast?

If just one area, then if you can feed with your baby/child's chin to the sore spot, that often clears it quickly.

How quickly is quickly? I rang the GP this morning, he has prescribed antibiotics over the phone but am keen to just use them as a back up if I really need them and if it will clear on its own then don't want them. NHS website said call GP. I am feeling a bit ill today it has to be said - there is a bit of redness on the area but that could be all the warm compresses...
Numpty: how would i know if it was engorgement instead? Had that a bit at the beginning when breasts were huge but not really like that now, it's just hardness in the middle rather than the whole breast.

nesomja, good that you've called the GP.

I don't know if you've seen this NHS guidance page? You could follow the advice for non infectious mastitis for a couple of days and see how you get on, if there's no improvement then try the antibiotics?

It does sound like mastitis so I'm sure you'll be right as rain again soon, but if it doesn't improve even after the antibiotics then please go back and ask your GP to examine you.

Engorgement wd be whole breast being too full, sounds more like blocked duct that's then turning to Mastitis. I had redness around the blocked area but didn't get other symptoms and managed to clear it through feeding. Can you visit GP to check? Hope solved soon...

How are you getting on nesomja?