Painful breast - help!

[Thatsnotmyfigure]

I thought I'd experienced the worst but maybe not. My 7wo has suddenly ditched evening cluster feeding and it's a shock. Have had a throbbing right breast all night and hard painful lumps. It hasn't cleared with feeding and I am struggling to massage the lumps as so painful. It's quite hot so don't feel like putting heat on it. Any ideas? Is this the cabbage leaf moment?! Please help!

You might have mastitis, I would go to the doctor today. In the meantime, try a warm bath and massaging while in the bath

Really?! Oh no I assumed as that was something I'd avoided so far I wouldn't get it now :( my breast isn't red ( I had that once). Off to try a warm flannel then will grit my teeth and stick baby back on! Thanks!

Can you express? The Nhs has a good website (new beginnings or something) and it shows a video of how to express by hand if you don't have a pump....

I had the same thing when after almost exclusively Breastfeeding DH gave baby a bottle as we'd gone to a wedding and then he slept for so long my boobs were rock hard sore and lumpy. Definitely get it checked out though if expressing hasn't relieved them!

I'm rubbish at expressing Olivia although I have got a pump somewhere. Need to get some relief soon as dh off to work in an hr leaving me with baby and toddler eek!

Check out kellymom for blocked duct and mastitis help. Lots of tops on how to clear.

If you can take ibuprofen it will help with the pain and reduce swelling so the milk/blockage can flow more easily.

What I find lying in a warm bath, with the effected side immersed in the water and gently hand expressing helps unblock the ducts. I've hot massive string like bits if milk out before! A cold compress after will help reduce any inflammation. Then just repeat until it feels better...

Thank you so much everyone. I went to the doc and got antibiotics am not sure I need them now as after 5 feeds this morning including a 1 hour feeding frenzy at the library (!!) it's eased. I will try all your tips though. My boobs are both hot so the cold feels lovely! I'm guessing if I'm not in agony anymore I don't have mastitis?