Feeding toddler, 38 weeks pregnant, how much boob pain is 'normal'?

[YankNCock]

38 weeks pregnant today. A little over 2 weeks ago I was noticing a lot of pain when feeding DS (2.10). Very unusual, figured it was something to do with hormones near the end of pregnancy. Then it got worse so Friday before last I went to the GP and said I thought I had mastitis. I've had it once before when DS was about 14 months, other than that been quite lucky. She agreed, there was some redness around the edges of one nipple particularly, and the pain was getting a lot worse that particular day.

So I've now taken 10 days worth of antibiotics (missed a few here and there so took about 11.5 days to finish), but the pain isn't completely gone. Boobs are still hurting when I'm leaning over the birthing ball or when DS feeds--not quite as bad, but still the same type of pain.

Is it normal to have breast/nipple pain late in the third trimester, particularly if still feeding? Or do I need to go back and tell them I don't think the mastitis has gone?

Hi, not sure if my experience counts for much as I'm not still bfing, but thought I'd share anyway.

I'm 33 wks pregnant with DC2 and in past week have been getting awful pains in both boobs, feels almost like the achy and burning pain I had way back in 2010 when DS was a newborn and learning to bf.

I stopped bfing him in Jan 2011 and boobs went back to normal, pain has only come on me again in past week.

I'm thinking it could be something to do with hormones and body getting ready to give birth? Not sure if that is medical truth, or just my musings....

Anyway, just wanted to say that my nipples are on fire, my boobs feel engorged and it really reminds me of bfing in the early days. Dont' know if there's something wrong with me (or you!) or if we're totally normal!

Thanks for responding Needles!

I saw the midwife today, she thought I should go back to the GP, so I've got an appointment for tomorrow. She also suggested contacting the breastfeeding coordinator with my question of whether it was normal to get pain in 3rd trimester when feeding, so I've left a message and am hoping she will get back to me soon.

I think my midwife was tentatively trying to suggest I should give up feeding DS, but backed off when I wasn't going for it (love her for that). I just think going cold turkey now, when he's likely to have to deal with a new baby in the next two weeks or so, would be too traumatic for him. He's got absolutely no interest in stopping, would feed more often than once or twice a day if I didn't refuse.

Hello stranger! I can't remember the details but I can confirm that my boobs were more or less agony all the way through being pregnant (in fact DS is just shy of his first birthday and DD still calls them "sore bee-bee" and "better bee-bee").

Have you had a look on the Kellymom section on tandemming? Can also lend you Adventures in Tandem BFing if you want/we're still localish to each other :)

Hello there! Poor you. It's not thrush is it? Best take plenty pro-biotics now anyway after the anti-bs.

cannot believe I hadn't looked at kellymom, on my way there now. Cheers Dita, my brain not working! I would love to have a read of that book, will PM you. Did you go to any of the bfing week stuff locally? I went to the thing at the stadium very briefly, but chasing DS up the steps at 37 weeks with SPD was not the best idea.

Wasting, hello! GP did mention thrush as a possibility this morning. She said the fluconazole (sp?) that they'd give for thrush, I can't have in pregnancy. Also DS showing no signs of thrush himself, so I guess she thought continued mastitis was more likely. I've got 2 more weeks of the same antibiotic now, so will probably have a baby before the course is done.

Only difference is this time it's the left one that feels warm and looks reddened around the outside of the areola, whereas 2 weeks ago the right one was worse. Looking forward to when DS can latch on without it making me gasp in pain and bit my lip!

I'm not actually very local any more but I managed to be away for the whole of BFAW

DD is nearly 4 weeks, DS 2.9 years and I had agonising boobs for last few weeks, particularly when he fed. so lots is my answer to your question! tbh, I still find his feeds more uncomfortable than hers, and limit them accordingly. hope baby arrives soon for you!

no worries Dita, thanks very much for dropping off the Tandem Nursing book this morning!

Kveta, that's somewhat reassuring. Nothing has changed about his latch or anything, so it's good to know it's probably just extra sensitivity on my part (and the mastitis of course). Lovely to hear that a newborn's feeds aren't as bad, I was getting worried!

I'm 29 weeks and bfing DD3 (I think DD2 has weaned ) and my breasts have been hurting deep inside for ages. They also smell of off milk (to the point I keep asking 'Who's been sick? I can smell sick?' and then realising it's me ) as I seem to be leaking colostrum all the time now.

I didn't have this in my previous two pg I have bf through so this is new to me too!