Can anyone diagnose this pain? Bf dd now 13 mo.

[ThePetiteMummy]

So, dd is now 13 months, & we're down to 2 bf per day, at about 7am & 7pm. Have been very lucky to have had no problems with bf until recently. For about the past month, I've been getting a pain in my left breast. It seems to occur 1-2 hours after feeding, and is sort of throbbing, although not constantly. It's behind the nipple & in the lower part of my breast. After a while it stops, then returns after the next feed. It seems to be worse after the evening feed, so I wonder if she takes more milk at this one.

The start of the problem may have coincided with me starting to wear underwired bras again, so I've gone back to non-wired this week. I did wonder about a blocked duct, as there seemed to be a small white spot on the nipple, but even if I flick the end off this & feed again, the problem still returns. There are no lumps or red areas. I feel otherwise well, no fever or anything.

I make sure to alternate the side I start on, and she generally feeds for no more than 10 mins each side (I realise time doesn't indicate how much taken).

So I went to see my GP about this, and whilst she was very nice, she was clueless about breastfeeding! One of her 'helpful' suggestions was to temporarily stop feeding from that side, which I'm pretty sure was dreadful advice. She also hinted that maybe I could stop bf soon. I'm not ready to do this just yet, and anyway, that wouldn't necessarily solve the problem. She talked about he possibility of breast cysts, but said this could only be checked after I stop bf. She did give me a thorough examination, so I think she tried her best, but she gave me no answers.

So what I'm asking is, does anyone have any advice? I'll be honest, the pain isn't dreadful, but I'd rather be without it, & it's sort of spoiling what's been a great bf experience with my first dc.

Otherwise, who can I see for advice who would be more clued up about this sort of thing?

TIA

Do you have a lactation consultant in your area? They will know absolutely everything, mine was marvellous :) Otherwise try the breastfeeding network org - sorry typing quickly whilst at work, if you need other details I'll try later.

Good luck x

Thanks myname , just looked up lactation consultant & it seems there is one near me! Why couldn't my GP have suggested that?! She also tried to suggest that what I was experiencing was the let-down reflex. After 13 months of breastfeeding, I think I know what that feels like!

Anyway, thanks for your time, will see how I get on.

Try the NCT breastfeeding helpline first.

0300 330 0771
8am?10pm, seven days a week.

It's free!

Thanks Peach, never knew about that either! Maybe I missed it, but this info should be given to all new mums.

It sounds a bit like a "bleb" - I had one and found out what it was on Kellymom.com. GP and HV had no idea what it was . Mind you I remember it hurting a lot during feeding aswell as throbbing after.

here

Thanks Gwink, it does seem like that could be it. Did you follow the 4 step process on Kellymom to resolve it?

I didn't use saline, but everything else helped. The NCT BFing counsellor recommended Lecithin supplements as I seemed rather prone to blebs and that seemed to knock them on the head.

Before I knew how to treat them, they did lead onto mastitis, so be careful.

I do recall pulling a thread of congealed milk out of one which was rather satisfying. Sorry if i've grossed you out there .

Oooo no, not grossed out, that sounds very satisfying! Was there a particular dose of lecithin you were recommended? Thanks again.

Gosh - it was 3 years ago and I can't remember, sorry. Give the NCT helpline a call - they were fantastic for me - on more than one occasion!

I hope you feel better soon.

Will do, thank you! I bought some lecithin today anyway, there were difference dosages available, so I just got the least, I figured I can always take more than one. I'll give the helpline a call as you suggest. Thanks so much for your help!