Mastitis and blocked ducts after stopping bf ?

[karen99]

Hi, I could only find this thread similar to my position. I stopped bf last Saturday after 9.5 months(a week ago ) and after a couple of days the fullness seemed to ease off. However, yesterday my boobs became really tender and even though they aren't canonballs they seem quite full and bumpy. I also have a very full duct under my left armpit which is extremely painful (had this checked out when I first started feeding as I thought it was a 'lump' but the ultrasound found it to be normal tissue, phew!).

I had mastitis 3wks into bf and numerous blocked ducts in the early days - I don't want to go back there! Can you get mastitis after stopping all feeds? How long will it take for things to settle down (stupidly I had a couple of weeks in my head!). I'm seeing my doc on Monday for something else so maybe worth mentioning to her?

Thanks for any help on this.

Can't give any advice but sympathy. Sounds awful.

Hi Hercules, thanks for bumping this. I enjoyed bf so much, especially after the difficult start, but didn't expect this. The process of dropping feeds wasn't painful at all so I assumed that the milk from the last feed would dwindle in a similar time frame.

Forgot to mention that there's no leaking either and they're not firm enough that I think I need to express a bit for relief. They're just very tender and lumpy bumpy.

AND I was so looking forward to wearing an underwired bra again! Ouch!

I would def mention it to your gp.

You're right, I will. Thanks Hercules

Let us know wnat happens.

Has anyone else had any thoughts on this ? I'd appreciate hearing from anyone who's been through this recently.

karen - I'm sure there will be much better advice than mine but I am going through the same thing....just winding down bf-ing and I did get a bad bout of mastitis after cutting my 11am feed. Just wondered - when you stopped did you wind down gradually or stop suddenly? I think my mistake was not being gradual enough as I am prone to blocked ducts and mastitis...

Hi Squirmy, I have cut down gradually, it's taken about two months to get to this stage. Poor you for getting mastitis after dropping one feed. We must be great milk producers to keep churning out this amount! Oh well. Will let you know how things go to see if any of it helps you.

karen99 - have you tried completely expressing your breasts for comfort? Although there is the concern that emptying the breasts causes further production of milk, it is better to relieve the discomfort that risk mastitis.

The breast fullness can last for a week or two. Try using savoy cabbage leaves as well ( just like at the beginning). Ibuprofen can help too.

Thanks Mears. Hand expressed a little in the shower last night and slept a bit better for it. Full again today. May do as you suggest as I really don't want to feel the way I did last time I had mastitis, ended up on antibiotics, which I hated.

Thanks for your help.