Milk come in and lumpy armpit - help!

[Swizzler]

I hd my first baby on Sunday and have been bfing. Milk came in yesterday - gallons of the stuff, we've been bathing in it. Last night, I noticed that my right armpit was really lumpy and painful. There's one big lump and some little ones. I found some info on blocked milk ducts, but surely they aren't there?
Could someone help before I panic and ring the mw? I'm pretty sure I would have noticed if there was a lump there before.

I'm not sure swizzler but I know that when I had thrush in the milk ducts the shooting pain really did go as far back as my armpits and even felt like it was in my shoulders, so I think the ducts do go a long way back.

Someone more knowlegable will be along soo. In the meantime how about having a hottish bath and massaging the lumpy bits or try www.kellymom.com because they'#re extra good at BFing advice.

I had this too - I never found out what it was, but a warm shower, feeding and getting someone to massage my neck and uppser back really helped. They went after the baby latched on properly.

Milk ducts do go back further then your breasts, it could be them that are swollen. COuld be swollen lymphs glands. Phone your MW - that's what she's there for! And congratulations!

agree about warm bath and gently massaging boob

you could try a warm damp flannel against lumpy area - i did this when i had mastitis and it cleared up quite quickly

You can have milk ducts in your armpit, but when I had the same thing when DS was small and went to the GP she gave it a thorough prod and diagnosed a blocked sweat gland. It cleared up after a few days. (I'm still not convinced that it wasn't a blocked milk duct, though, especially as from the sound of this thread it's a common experience)

I'm not sure either but I reckon this must be blocked ducts - are the lumps red and warm to the touch? I had this (though not in the armpit) and it cleared up within a week - I persevered with feeding as often as possible from the affected side and eventually the blockage cleared.

I reckon you should definitely ring your midwife and get her to look at it. Ask if you can speak to a breastfeeding counsellor, it would be good for you to get an expert to check that your baby is latched on properly.

Thanks for the prompt responses - checked Kellymom and there is a ref to women getting a lump in the armpit 3-4 days after birth. Cabbage recommended - will soon get through the stuff DH bought this morning

i had this for the first week maybe, on and off. it's just cos your body produces loads and loads of milk at first. then as your body gets used to how much your baby actually needs it stops making quite so much. at first i was so shocked i thought it might be cancerous lumps or something. after a big feed they will go down.

Swizzler - not an expert but do think it is blocked duct. I too had it umpteen times when DD was small. Cabbage never worked for me - but may for you! Bath with warm flannels was best and then as she got older and got them (v infrequently) I used to just use a pump and massage as I did it to express off a little milk to make it bearable. You do need to get rid of the block asap though as it can get worse/end up infected/mastitis etc.

Also, I know you prob know this but pls ensure you are latching yr baby on correctly as poor latch will cause problems. If concerned and you don't want to speak to your MW (sometimes they aren't that well trained in bf), call the NCT or ABM helplines - both will put in you in touch with a local 'expert' who can help (I found them invaluable in the early days as really struggled and MW/HV weren't much help).

One thing I found which may help was I couldn't use spray deoderants whilst bf'ing as for some reason they helped cause the lumps?? I had to use cream/stick deoderants and this really helped.

HTH - hope you feel better soon.

Prob is my latch - was trying to feed lying down on that side as he will not settle in his crib at night, Couldn't see what I was doing and not at my most rational in the early hours of the morning. Glad to see I'm not alone

With DS1, I had this in the boob that had a blocked duct. I had to be pretty vigilant for about a week, making sure the boob was drianed properly at each feed. Used to massage it like mad with a warm towel pre-feed, then cold compress afterwards. Ibuprofen for the pain. Haven't got it this time.

How do you know if it has draines? I seem to be producing masses of milk and DS stops feeding before it has run out (having said that, he's chewing on his fingers again...)

God I really don't know how you know re draining, it takes practice imo (as does the whole breastfeeding thing). There are a few ladies on here (I think) are a v good with this - tiktok? Not sure if she posts anymore??

Re the lying down feeding - tbh I found I couldn't use that position until DD was way old -like 8 mths or something. I found my breasts didn't empty properly if lying down (I know it's easier for rest etc). I always fed sitting up for those first months (pain I know at night).

Please ring NCT or ABM (found the latter better) they will give you the best advice (hopefully). As you don't want to end up with mastitis/infection.

Good luck and keep going It WILL get better and you WILL get there! x

Seems to be getting better, tho I still have lumps. Mw visits tomorrow so will check with her. Not sure if my boobs are being drained, but he's feeding from both and they're not too hot any more.

Thanks for your help

Swizzle - no problem. Glad to hear you think they are improving.