Really bloody hurts

[OutNumberedByBlue2]

So yesterday feeding ds2 on my left side was uncomfortable, by the middle of the night really painful & now this morning something I dread. My nipple & the area of breast around it are very painful & tender to touch. The nipple & areola are red, with the start of a small red patch on my breast. I also have an open milk blister that side

Any thoughts on what this is? Just waiting to see my gp but wanted some advice, support & a bit of a moan about why, why , why does this have to hurt so much & happen today of all days!?!?

I'm afraid I have no advice but just wanted to offer my sympathy - it sounds like it could maybe be mastitis especially if you've had a blockage recently so I think you are wise to see the GP. Are you feeling ok otherwise? any temperature or flueyness? I hope you get seen and treated soon, I think the advice is to try and keep feeding if it is mastitis to clear the blockage. Painkillers in the meantime? Hope it gets better soon.

Agree it could be the start of mastitis. Can you manage to feed from that breast? Ideally you would feed, feed, feed, massage the breast, try some heat, and rest.

Ibuprofen or paracetamol would be suitable but see what the GP says.

Hope you feel better soon.

You poor thing, it sounds miserable. It does sound like it could be mastitis. Are you getting little shivering spells? Hopefully you will get to see your GP today - do they offer emergency appointments? If so, insist on one. If you need antibiotics best start taking them straight away. Once you do, you will feel loads better by next day.

I had mastitis when DS was 3 weeks old and did what the others suggest - kept feeding. I did top up bottles with formula after every feed, though, because DS was losing loads of weight. Just told myself 'just this one and see how it goes' and somehow managed to get through it. DS was absolutely fine with top ups (didn't get confused, which some of the advice suggested he might) and within a week he was back to all BF and I wasn't sore any more.

Good luck.

Well I've seen the gp who said sounds like an infection so has prescribed antibiotics but didn't specify was mastitis. So far no major flu type symptoms, although feel really cold but that could just be tiredness as we've had quite the few weeks with reflux issues, colds & chest infections. This is just the icing on the cake!

Hope they work for you and you feel better soon
Try and rest if possible - any chance you can spend tomorrow in bed?

Try a hot bath with a warn flannel on the breast. If you can, massage the breast inwards towards the nipple around the site where its red. Also try putting a cabbage leaf in your bra. Very bizarre I know, but trust me it does work!! Big hugs xx

Thank you. Sadly no chance of spending tomorrow in bed, it's ds1's birthday party thus weekend so loads to do! I have managed to get an early night though & so far it doesn't seem to be getting worse. Hopefully the antibiotics will do their thing overnight.

Oh blimey, try and not do too much then....probably not possible but just take care of yourself and rope others in to help if you can.

Thanks crikey, flaming typical 9 months of bf & I get mastitis this weekend! [confused

The redness is worse this morning but the pain is no worse. I just feel more blurgh, thank goodness for paracetamol & ibuprofen!
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At present I'm feeding ds2 while writing a shopping list, ds1 is out with dgp's & I'm giving orders to dh on what to do!

as well as the massaging and regular feeding, another tip is to leave breastmilk on your nipple between feeds - it's a great antibacterial agent.

try to avoid too much lansinoh or similar cream except when you need it to feed, as it may prevent the open blister drying out.

to help with the pain, dunking nipple in warm water for 30 secs pre feed helps (it softens any scabs so they don't hurt as much when baby sucks)

I was also told to soak in the bath with Epsom salts, which seemed to help. Hope you feel better soon.

Thanks all. Now at the emergency doctors as the antibiotics have done nothing & the red patch has doubled in size

Wish my boob would realise I don't have time for infections this weekend

Really hope they give me some big bad ass antibiotics, I've got a birthday cake to ice, a house to decorate & 20 guests rocking up tomorrow

Oh no!

Out of hours gp was brilliant. I have a beautifully high temperature even with paracetamol & the redness is now all the way up 1 side of my boob & spreading outwards! He said the original dose of antibiotics wasn't high enough & has given me 2 antibiotics to take at a higher dose. He also said that if my boob starts to go hard to go back as will need an IV of antibiotics

He's hopeful these should kick in & my temperature should be under control by lunchtime, but would expect the redness to get worse over night.

Dh has been sent on a mercy mission for antibiotics, paracetamol, ibruprofen & the biggest bar of chocolate he can find.
Will not be hugging any guests tomorrow, a handshake at a distance will have to do!

Oh no. Not the best for you then? Hope the antibiotics kick in soon and u feel better tomorrow xx

Oh goodness you poor thing, look after yourself and get straight back there if it gets any worse. Take it easy.