Could this be start of mastitis and what can I do?

[Mammanat222]

One boob is painful, can feel a bit of a lump. Worried its the beginning of mastitis.

Currently waiting for my new GP registration to come through. Should be end of week so I'm doctorless

Have appointments for baby next two mornings (BCG one morning and hearing test at the hospital next morning) so I can't get to the local walk-in as you need to be there first thing.

Any tips / suggestions?

Baby is 3 weeks but only been back on boobs for a week [I was expressing due to battered nipples]

Get in a hot shower or bath and try to massage the lump out. For the first six weeks everyday when I had a shower I used to give both sides a quick massage to stop any lumps.

Let baby fed a lot as they are the best at draining boobs.

I had the same as you and took antibiotics when my very experienced midwife came the next day she said she would have advised me to wait and sometimes these things settle down on their own. If you get flu like symptoms though I think that's when you need the antibiotics.

Good luck

Sounds like a blocked duct, which can lead to mastitis if not sorted but it's far from inevitable. Heat ( shower, bath, hot towel) massage towards nipple, feed baby lots ensuring good attachment ( can help to try a different position e.g underarm if you normally cradle hold, often suggested to have baby's chin towards the lump if that doesn't require you to be a contortionist) and antiinflammatories ( ibuprofen is bf compatible)
If you feel fluey or unwell or if breast is visibly red and swollen you need to see a GP.

Thanks for the tips.

MW said ibruprofen is fine when bfing (told me this the day I had baby)

Hot shower / towels a good idea too.

Baby is feeding normally. We struggled to begin with but she seems to be doing ok now (soaking nappies every 2-3 hour / regular explosive poos). She does hurt the first few sucks but the pain subsides after 3-4 sucks?

Blocked duct. Express and then put boon under hot shower head. I had one and a fever also. Cleared it up but boob felt bruised for a few days after

I had lots of very big lumps from blocked ducts and never mastitis, thank god. I found soy lecithin great and the tips suggested above. Lots of info on www.kellymom.com too.