Does thrush make your breasts tender?

[Haggisfish]

as in, tender all of the time. my boobs have been particularly sore around the base of them - had GP appt and been referred to breast clinic and had ultrasound, but all normal. I'm thinking it might be thrush as my nipples and boobs have been a bit itchy and I do get some sharp pains after feeding. GP and boob clinic told me the increase in glandular tissue while breastfeeding can lead to pain and that it should all stop when I finally stop breastfeeding. LO is 6 months old and exclusively breast fed so far.

Anyone else had thrush causing sore boobs or painful breasts?

Pain within breasts that occurs between feeds could be ductal thrush. I've had it and it is v v painful like cut glass going through the breast tissue. You have my sympathies.

There is a good help sheet here which tells you (if it is ductal thrush) what meds you need to have prescribed - so print out and take to your GP.

Has baby got any symptoms of thrush?

White tongue that doesn't clear, white flecks in the mouth and a super sore bum?

If the GP isn't willing to treat you (and they often aren't for some god unknown reason) because ductal thrush is unusual try some probiotics and if they do treat you makes sure you get treatment for LO too.

One other thing that can cause boob pain and it's well documented but not well known about... Caffeine... seriously caffeine can cause boob pain in non breastfeeding women and it can be wicked in feeders! I was a peer supporter (and I'm a proper professional in my spare time ;-)) and saw caffeine reduction / cutting out stopping pain lots of time.

Hope it clears up x

Thanks - no baby doesn't have any symptoms. I had heard about the cut glass sensation during feeding but wondered about not during feding. My breasts have more of an aching, but occasionaly stabbing pain most of the time. I had read about the caffeine connection, so am only having one cup of real tea a day, and decaff the rest of the time.

Haggisfish - the pain can/might continue between feeds too. Could you have bumped/bruised some breast tissue? Though I suppose an area of bruising/inflammation would have shown up on the U/S you had done?

I think talking things through with a lactation consultant or similar might be worth while as they might be able to spot something happening during a feed or have access to information we don't have. I hope you find an answer soon.