Night engorgement causing lasting pain at 4 weeks

[QuercusQuercus]

My 4 week old only had 1 night feed last night and the night before, at 3am (fed 10, 3 and 6:30). Great, you'd think, except I didn't sleep from 3 because one of my breasts was so engorged and insanely painful - even after I:d fed the baby off it.

The pain has not gone. The breast is deflated but is so sore I can hardly bear to touch it. I've had mastitis so have checked for lumps but can't find any. I've expressed to make sure it's fully drained and ward off mastitis, but it feels just the same.

Has anyone else had this? Will it go by itself? Is it bruised? I'm exhausted after a month of shit sleep and the toddler was up and down all night as well, dreading any more breast issues. Plus this means I can't use the sling so will be having a screamy baby day

Oh great. The sore area is now mottled red. This is mastitis, isn't it?

Still no lump though. I don't feel ill. Is there a chance of this resolving on its own with plenty of feeding and heat/ice?

Sorry to hear that OP. Have you read the Kellymom info on Mastitis and blocked ducts? Hope you’re feeling better soon

I had a really similar experience and the pain lasted a few days so I went to the GP.
Of course it's important you rule out blocked ducts/mastitis but you may have what happened to me:
Turns out if you're engorged for some time (hours) it can actually stretch the chest/breast muscles so even when you've expressed off the milk and you expect to be more comfortable, the pain is from effectively pulled muscles. It can take a few days to improve but heat pads and gentle massage can help. The pain is pretty bad so I sympathise with your discomfort! Hope it improves soon

@JiltedJohnsJulie thank you, I've been reading a lot on Kellymom.

@louisr987 ooooh, that's definitely it! I can feel it in the chest muscles.

I am better, after using heat and ice and ibuprofen, plus antibiotics from doctor (started feeling cold and achy). It still aches, like old muscle strain.