Breastfeeding Veterans - Pain inside the breast, behind the nipple after feeding 6 months old

[busyrizi]

DC2 is 6 months old and so far beastfeeding has been successful for both of us. However in the last week or two I started to get a really sharp, stabbing, "twisting" pain inside the breast, just behind the nipple about half an hour or so after feeding. It only occurs on one side, but after every time I feed on that side (I alternate). I get short bursts of this intense pain for about 30-40 minutes, starting about half an hour after a feed, then the breast is OK until after the next feed. I never experinced this before in breastfeeding DC1 for over a year or DC2 until the last couple of weeks. Should I get it checked out? Has anyone else had a similar experience?

This is not something I've experienced, and I guess I'm a BF veteran! I would go and get it checked out if it's causing you intense pain. Pain is your body's way of telling you something isn't right. Can you feel a lump there or anything? All I can think is you might have a blocked duct, but I don't see why it would only hurt after feeding - blocked ducts are sore all the time IME.

Hi juneau, I don't think it's a blocked duct, had that a couple of times before, as you say that's a more permanent feeling until the breast is properly drained. I can't feel a lump, but maybe a professional would be able to have a better feel. I think I'd better make an appointment with my GP.

pulled ligament? Thrush? Similar to my thrush symptoms. I didn't have sore nipples but bit itchy. check your dc's tongue?

When - I haven't noticed any change on DC's tongue, but I'm not sure what I'm looking for. Defo worth getting checked out.

That is an odd symptom. My first thought was thrush but it seems really odd you get it some time after a feed and not at any other time. Definately one for the GP. Have you tried taking paracetamol after the feed and seeing if that makes any difference? I wonder if it's something about lo's position on that side? Could you try a different hold and see if that makes any odds?

Does sound a bit like thrush, worth keeping an eye on

Does sound a bit like thrush, worth keeping an eye on

Thanks Northern, I use two different positions, in arm during the day and lying down at night (yes, still feeding during the night but that's a whole different issue, one I'm not prepared to face yet). Anyway, the pain is the same either way.

Merci, if it is thrush, do I need some cream from the GP or just ask the pharmacist?

Sounds like thrush. But be prepared for GPs to tell you you haven't got it. I would see a bf counsellor.

If you use two holds and it's the same problem for both then that suggests to me it isn't positional. I think for Thrush you both need treating so you need drops for lo's mouth too. I would go with the GP. Thrush in the breast can be persistent so you'll need to be very thorough with the treatment.

If it's only on one side then it's unlikely to be thrush. If you had a chat with a BFC you could go over everything in detail and try and figure out what's wrong. Is there a local NCT or LLL you can contact?

Thank you All, you've confirmed what I was thinking, which is that this problem needs investigating. I've made an appointment with my GP to start with and will be calling the number I've been given for a local BFC.