Breastfeeding -shooting pains

[Napsalot]

Hi there,

DC is 4.5 months. Have been breastfeeding ok. In past few weeks I have had a fair bit of pain on one side as I think I have a cracked nipple. Have been applying Lasinoh and it is just starting to get better. As a result I often start feeding on the other side.

Now I have been experiencing shooting pains on the other side for the past few hours -not just while feeding. It's really quite painful (wakes me up).

Planning on getting to a doctor today if I can. Any advice or things I should ask them to check?

Thank you.

Is it like a nerve pain? If so check your feeding position - more pillows/less pillows etc. I had something similar and shuffling about fixed it. Do see the Dr though.

Hope you're ok xx

Thank you for your reply. The pain has been there when I am not feeding so I am not sure if it is linked to the position. (I am pretty careful about how I sit as I have been trying to ensure the pain from the cracked nipple goes away). The pain sort of starts in the nipple and radiates from there. Was wondering if it could be thrush?

I had that at about 3 months, convinced myself it was thrush but it wasn't and passed after a week or so. Dunno what caused it.

It could be thrush - for me it was sharp stabbing pains through the nipple (like being stabbed with a pin) radiating into the breast, but the nipples were also red, itchy and shiny.

I hope the doctor knows his/her stuff and can help figure out what it is - but it might also be worth speaking to one of the bf helplines to see if they have any advice?

I had thrush with stabbing pains through the breast during and after feeding, and the breast was itchy too. There's useful info on the breastfeeding network site here - worth having a read and even printing out and taking along to your GP as they aren't always up to speed on BF issues. If it is thrush you do need to see a GP rather than HV so they can prescribe the right stuff. Hope you feel better soon.

I had shooting pain with thrush too, was pretty agonising actually, worse just after feeding and at initial latch-on.

Yep me too. Agonising feeding, like passing glass shards through your own nipple. And then shooting pain through the breast afterwards.

Poor you it's awful. But do see your gp if you need something prescribing.

Thank you everyone. I really appreciate your kind words and will try to get to the GP today. It doesn't appear to be red, shiny or itchy but geez the sharp pains hurt -and it is like being stabbed with a pin and then it radiates.

Thanks again.

Well the GP thinks it may be the start of mastitis and said the other side has thrush. Gave me over the counter cream for the thrush and have to go back the pain gets worse. Fingers crossed it will get better.

Thanks for your support.