Mastitis or badly blocked duct

[lunamoths]

Apologies if this is a silly question. I am EBF my DC3 first was totally FF 2DC was combination fed so never really had this issue before.

I have had a blocked duct before, which although made my breast red and was a bit painful when feeding or if I knocked it etc I generally felt ok in myself.

Today my boob is red and slightly painful, and I feel achy and just like everything has been an effort today. I feel warm as well but can't find a thermometer at the minute to do my temp.

My question is, could this be mastitis but from what I have read and heard from others and on here that really is horrific and this doesn't seem that bad yet or is it a badly blocked duct?

Don't want to waste time at the doctors if it's a blocked duct as I know they are busy and if it is that when should I see an improvement. This started this morning so I guess I will feel lots worse tomorrow if it is mastitis?

Thanks in advance for your advice

I was in your shoes a fortnight ago. Didn’t want to ‘bother’ the GP but after I’d noticed the red patch on my breast I was encouraged by pals to make an appointment. The GP confirmed within 30 seconds of taking a look that it was indeed mastitis. She said I was absolutely right to go in. She prescribed antibiotics and although it was a fortnight’s course they kicked in within about 24 hours and I felt much better.

I’d encourage you to go and get seen. Hope you feel better soon!

It sounds like mastitis. Is it hot to touch?

Mastitis is bloody agony! Go and get seen.

@Rufffles thank you so much for the quick response. Just after posting I got the chills and have my dressing gown on sat against a radiator to try and get warm. Will be ringing the doctors first thing is there anything else you suggest? I keep feeding from that side first to try and get the milk pulled through but is there more I can do tonight before ringing the doctors tomorrow?

@meandmytinfoilhat yes it is warm to touch. I wouldn't say hot but definitely warmer compared to the other side.

Deffo mastitis. Get to out of hours if you can as the faster you get Antibiotics the better

don't wait until tomorrow-phone the out of hours drs

I’m not an expert (my little one is only 4
weeks old - and he’s my first - so I’m still learning the ropes with this breastfeeding lark!) but I’d say:

• The temperature thing: if there’s someone else at home with you, let THEM decide how warm the radiators / house need to be! I was forever changing the thermostat in our house until my husband (whose idea of hot and cold wasn’t totally warped as mine was) took charge.
• When you call the surgery, don’t be afraid to tell them up front that you think it’s mastitis. I felt a bit silly saying it to the receptionist, but to my surprise she was really sympathetic and I think she managed to prioritise me enough to get me an appointment the same day.
• If it’s not too painful to keep feeding on the poorly side, then I THINK it’s beneficial to do so (my GP intimated as such when I told her that’s what I’d been doing).

Good luck, and let us know how you get on x

I found blockages made me feel ill but if I cleared them I didn't need the gp. Given its the evening and you might not get medical attention tonight, it's worth massaging the area to clear any blockage imo. Put a hot shower on the area (as hot as you can manage) then push any lumps towards your nipple. It's painful but worth it if there is a blockage. Pause then repeat until any lumps are gone. alternatively try to angle your baby's nose towards the lump to encourage them to feed from the blockage. Sometimes you can see a blockage on your nipple too (little white flecks you can pick out). Sorry if that's tmi but I got a lot of blockages with dc 2!

...I can see that others have since recommended phoning the out of hours doc. In my case, the pain was manageable and I felt comfortable waiting until the next day, but there’s obviously no harm in seeking help more urgently! Again, good luck.

Yes mastitis. As a breastfeeding mum the Dr will take it very seriously, at the very least call first thing in the morning.
The most important thing to do is keep feeding. Also massaging the area under a warm shower to try and unblock any blocked duct. I used to feed dc with them on the floor and me on all fours over them like a milk cow, whilst massaging the blocked bit. It sounds as ridiculous as it looked but helped to stop a build up of milk round the infected bit.

Thank you so much to everyone who has replied and for all the advice. It's typical that tonight DH is out and don't have any family close by to come and sit with the kids for me to seek OOH help. I'm going to try and go in the shower and massage it and try and get things moving so to speak. Will definitely be calling the doctors first thing to get an appointment though.

I will keep you all updated.

@badg3r my older two would love if I gave DC3 "special milk" as they call it like that. They would be thinking we were playing giddy up I'm picturing the scene now

I went to the doctors this morning and it is mastitis. Luckily it's not too bad yet but I have a weeks course if antibiotics and been advised to take paracetamol as well if I need it.

Thank you all again for your advice hopefully it will clear up quickly.

Well done on getting in there! Hopefully the tablets will kick in as quickly as mine did (the pain started to subside within 24 hours of the first tablet; the redness lasted longer than that but no more than 2-3 days).

Look after yourself and get well soon!