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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Original poster

Hard lump in breast

17 replies

Shootingstar100 · 14/12/2011 21:02

I'M EBF 13wk DD. Tonight have noticed large hard lump in right breast. It's not painful and I have no other symptoms. DD has been quite fussy when feeding on this breast - grunting and pulling at the nipple. I'm worried she's not getting milk out easily. Any advice appreciated!

OP posts:
AJH2007 · 14/12/2011 21:06

I would try hot compresses / hot showers to get the milk flowing; it sounds like a blocked duct. Drag the teeth of a comb thru a bar of soap and comb your boob in the shower. Keep putting your LO on the boob, too.

AWimbaAllTheWay · 14/12/2011 21:10

It sounds like a blocked duct. Keep an eye on things as although it may feel OK now in the past I have had infected mastitis 4 times whilst bf my 3 dcs. Each time it started with a hard lump.

Try having a warm bath and massaging towards the nipple and if possible feed more from the blocked side to try and unblock it. If it starts to get painful or you feel feverish or sick get to the gp fast as mastitis can be nasty but is treated easily with antibiotics.

I have managed to successfully unblock ducts before it turned into mastitis with massage and feeding though.

Hopefully it'll sort itself.

Original poster
Shootingstar100 · 14/12/2011 21:14

Thanks for the replies! Would expressing from that side be a good idea? Was also wondering if wearing my BF bra in bed at night could be causing a problem?

OP posts:
4madboys · 14/12/2011 21:16

what AJH said, comb your breast with a wide toothed comb, fromt right under your armpit over the hard lump and down towars your nipple, this will help clear the blocked duct, i used to get loads and this always worked :) and yes wearing bra in bed can sometimes cause this problem if it presses on or digs in etc.

AWimbaAllTheWay · 14/12/2011 21:21

Does the bra dig in at all? If it is it could be, might be an idea to go without for a few nights. I never found expressing that effective but could be worth a try. Maybe trying to breastfeed in a different position could help. If you press down and forwards on the lump you might just find that milk squirts out and problem solved, although you do have to be careful not to push the blockage further in.

AWimbaAllTheWay · 14/12/2011 21:21

Hello 4mad! (Hmmsleep here)

Original poster
Shootingstar100 · 14/12/2011 21:31

What would the first symptoms of mastitis be? I have achey legs & a headache!!

OP posts:
4madboys · 14/12/2011 21:47

that could be mastitis! basically it makes you feel shite, like you have REALLY bad flu, so get combing and feed and feed feed the baby that is the best way to get it to clear. drink plenty and rest! you should be able to nip it in the bud if you get it clear asap xxx

waves back at hmmsleep!

Mampig · 14/12/2011 22:20

Ohh- had blockage last week- I couldn't get ds to feed well from that side, so after bath and combing, I latched him on, he wasnt fussed, but kept him on till I got let down and then expressed straight away with manual pump. It worked and the relief was tremendous!! Hth!!

nursenic · 14/12/2011 22:22

Surely if it is a blocked duct, feeding can continue on the affected side but once Mastitis is diagnosed, then feeding on the affected side should stop. Milk from that breast should be expressed but not used.

lilham · 14/12/2011 22:26

I found having DD chin on the direction of the lump very effective in clearing block ducts. Basically DD massages when feeding. Have to feed using creative positions though.

Original poster
Shootingstar100 · 14/12/2011 22:50

I've done the combing & massaging in a hot bath. The lump feels different now, more like a hard area? Does that make sense??

Is it true that I shouldn't use the milk from that size if it's mastitis? DD is feeding now!

OP posts:
TheSecretCervix · 15/12/2011 08:24

If it is mastitis the best thing you can do is feed and feed some more! I have had mastitis, blocked ducts and an abscess :( and was told to carry on feeding from the affected breast in all cases. From my understanding the worse thing you can do is stop feeding when you have mastitis, as this can cause engorgement, which can lead to further blocker ducts and more mastitis. Something I was advised to do with the blocked duct was get my LO nose to face in the direction of the blocked duct to encourage it to unblock, this led to me feeding on all fours with him under me, looked ridiculous but did give me some relief! Not sure on the official advise on pumping as I guess it can cause oversupply but have always found it worked well when I feel have a small blockage.

Hope you feel better soon xx

TheSecretCervix · 15/12/2011 08:28

Sorry just realised lilham had already said about feeding positions ;)

RudolphsKerfuffle · 15/12/2011 08:29

My GP told me to keep feeding and that I could use any milk I expressed. Kellymom appears to confirm that .

AWimbaAllTheWay · 15/12/2011 09:08

Yes, you can definitely still feed from the infected breast, in fact it's the best way to remove the blockage, it won't harm baby at all.

Original poster
Shootingstar100 · 15/12/2011 19:09

Thanks for all the advice! Saw doctor this morning and have antibiotics. DD is feeding as normal from affected breast & I feel ok, so hopefully have caught it early. Will do combing & massage again tonight as that definitely helped!

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