Mastitis?

[vallinnapod]

Hi all,

Been very lucky so far. 3.5 month DS took to BF really well. No problems with anything like sore nipples etc. so far.

Yesterday I noticed what could only be described as a love bite under my right nipple. DS resembled a Dyson at times so can only assume this was him. No pain at all with it. Then today the right side of the same breast feels very bruised (seemingly no connection to the love bite) It's not hot, red or hard. Just sore to touch. Doesn't hurt when he feeds. I feel Ok in myself. Bit hard to tell as emerging from the tailend of a cold. Feeling a bit blurgh as DS has decided sleep is for wimps and je'd quite like to feed every couple of hours at night . He didn't even do this as a newborn.

Any advice on any of the above really? Just feeling at the end of a sleep deprived teather :(

sounds like mastitis. poor you, its not nice.
Feed on that side first for a while. Try different feeding positions, what worked for me was baby lying on bed then me kinda resting on elbows over them - sounds crazy but it works to help get baby feeding to clear blockage. 'normal' feeding positions wont clear blockage as well.

If you getfeverish you need to go to the docs ASAP for antibiotics.

If no fever, you want to feed as much as you can. Use warm compresses before a feed (nappy filled with warm tap water) and cold compresses in-between. When feeding, run your fingers from behind the sore spot towards the nipple as if you're combing the area.

Thanks. Starting to feel like shite but not sure if it is just psychosomatic!

I'd keep an eye on your temperature. If it goes up then get to a doctor. When I had it (when DS was 6 months) I managed to clear the blockage by moving round so his chin was pointing toward the lump.

For me, it felt a little like I'd been punched on the Saturday and I got more ill throughout the day. On the Sunday, the sore bit was obviously red and I felt like I had flu.

Ibuprofen works better than paracetamol too - paracetamol didn't take my temp down at all when I had mastitis.

As others said if you feel fluey or have a temp get anti bi ASAP. If you have a wide tooth comb try 'combing' towards the nipple, when baby feeding if possible. Warm cloths. Express off after a feed until you are empty. The 'love bite' sounds like a blockage so hot cloths there. Try and look after yourself and rest as much as you can. Mastitis is bloody horrible so in any doubt see the doc first thing. Don't leave it.

Thanks for all the advice. All compounded by recent house move so yet to register with the GP...was leaving it until DS had final 16 week jabs, which of course he has on Tuesday . Sure one will take me as an emergency.