Rock hard huge Lump deep in breast - bf for 9 months

[perfectmummy]

is is possible or comman to get mastitus when you have been feeding for so long??

Currently feeding my 9 month old 2-3 times per day. Haven't felt engorged or even full for months now but have suddenly ended up with a very hard lump which seems to be deep inside my breast and quite large. Has the same feeling as mastitus (which I had with DD). Tender bruised to touch. Have tried making sure DS emptying fully etc. and massaging when feeding but has made no diffence and have just taken a couple of paracetemol but wondered if I should head to the docs tom. before the flu symptoms arrive!!

I'm afraid it is possible - had mastitis the first time when DD was 16 months.

But don't worry; you may have a blocked duct you can sort out before it gets worse. Will just put DS down and will be back with some tips!

oldestcat where have you gone. Please come back with your tips!!!

It could also be calcification, which can happen to some BFing women. Get it checked out just to be on the safe side.

Okay, kellymom is brilliant on this. Google it - it's a great site but especially good on blocked ducts etc.

my tips (I got these repeatedly from about a year into bfing)

get in a hot bath, keep putting really really hot water on a flannel and holding it on your breast, keep massaging and expressing, find the bit that hurts most and push there (sorry)

keep the breast really hot and damp as long as you can stand it (obv don't scald yourself!)

It will feel really bruised even if you manage to clear it, so you won't know instantly if it's worked (unless you get the blockage visibly clearing) but the longer you massage it for, the more chance it'll feel a bit better the next day.

Good luck. Keep feeding from that breast as often as your child will allow.

thanks. getting the heatpack out now!! Do you think I would still get blcoked ducts after such a long time bfing?

SO SORRY! DD isn't well - have just got her to sleep (plus she kept waking up DS, arghhh).

Agree with Flight:

• hot bath, hot flannel on breast, massage and hand express into the bath. One tip is to go on all fours with the breast in the water, so gravity can help.
• Use a wide-toothed comb, having dragged it through soap, to push from the lump towards the nipple.
• More hot water and hand expressing.
• Get DS to feed as much as possible from the affected side.

I took nurofen last time (disclaimer - not sure if this is ideal when BF but I was in agony overnight) and I think it helped. But ultimately, I had a milk blister, which I had to clear before the blockage went. Do you have a white spot on your nipple? If so, have a look on kellymom as the advice is great.

Anyway, good luck from me too. Definitely worth getting it checked out tomorrow if necessary, a TheBreastMilksOnMe suggests - are there any BF groups near you?

Sorry again and hope you feel better soon.

Blocked ducts info from kellymom.

How are you today, perfectmummy?

thanks for your help. Sorry DD is sick oldestcat.
I spent some time in a hot shower and then sat with a hotwater bottle on my chest b4 giving DS a sneaky dream feed (which I haven't done since he was 4 months old). Seems a lot better this morning although a little tender still. Not sure if that means there is still a problem if if the bruising remains for a while after the blockage is rectified.
Thought the dream feed might mean a lie in this morning but no such luck!! lol!

Well done. Ibuprofen is Ok if you're bfing an older baby or toddler, check first if they are tiny. Yes, I only got blocked ducts after ds2 was about a year old and never with ds1!

Ibuprofen will help with the pain but is also a great antiinflammatory so will enable the swelling within the breast to sibsude, making it easier to heal itself.

subside, sorry! Typing is awful this morning!

Good news, perfectmummy. Sounds like you may have cracked it. Hope you're still feeling ok.

Another good tip is to try different feeding positions eg the rugby-ball hold (if DS will oblige) so his chin is 'working' the bump. This can result in some amusing gymnastics!