Really sore right boob - help?

[ElphabaTheGreen]

My non-sleeping 8mo DS decided to throw me a curve-ball last night and slept almost nine hours with only one wake-up. Yay! However, my right boob went completely solid in this time. I gave him a feed off that side at the one wake up he did, and expressed for a bit more relief, then he fed off that side once more around 6ish. When we got up at 7, I had a dull ache in that boob which is just getting worse. Expressing is painful as is feeding.

Said boob isn't red or hard, but very painful to the touch. DS is in the habit of giving it a good squeeze while feeding occasionally which nearly made me hit the roof this morning.

What's going on?? Is it a blocked duct ? Mastitis? I've taken a precautionary dose of ibuprofen and I'm trying to express and feed frequently off that side while screaming into a pillow.

Is there anything else I can do?

Thanks!

I had this just a few days ago. I reckoned it was a blocked duct and gave boob a good firm massage then kept feeding LO from the sore side. After a while there was LOTS of milk and the boob felt better and soft again.

I hope you're feeling better by now, but in case not, there is some information on blocked ducts and mastitis on Kellymom here. It does say "Occasionally mom will only notice localized tenderness or pain, without an obvious lump or area of engorgement. " If you think it might be a blocked duct or mastitis, that article also has some suggestions for things you can try, and advice on when you might need antibiotics.

Thanks! Still very sore and I think there's a red patch on my areola. Just what I don't need for going back to work on Monday...

It's mastitis Got a prescription for antibiotics and advice to wear 'tight fitting clothing for extra support' from the out of hours GP I'll get the antibiotics and keep the clothing loose, thanks, as per the usual NHS advice...

I had exactly the same problem last Monday after a day at work. You are totally doing the right thing by expressing and feeding on that side but I would also recommend running a warm bath and massaging your sore boob under the water. My son will be 1 next week and whenever I have experienced this sort of pain, a warm bath and massage works wonders in clearing the blockage. Also, try and massage it when you're feeding (although this isn't always very easy!). Hope you feel better soon

Thanks hmotb I had a bath last night and gave it a good massage. Might just go and do the same again now.

What rubbish timing, poor you.

I had this last week after DS elbowed me in the boob while we were wrestling for a nap. Had a sore red bit just above my areola. I used a heat patch & massage in the shower which helped. Expressed loads & ibuprofen. I just escaped having to take antibiotics.

Hope it feels better, good luck at work tomorrow if you make it