Hello!
Joined Mumsnet to write this post instead of trying to find someone who had my exact same problem. It's a long one so bear with me!!
DD is 10 weeks old, have been EBF since 2 weeks old (after some initial latching problems and me pumping like mad to make sure my supply built up).
For about 7 weeks we've had a good time breastfeeding, really felt like I'd got the hang of it despite DD feeding/comfort nursing frequently, every 1.5 hours or so in the daytime and usually on the right boob which has a LOT of milk in - often have to hand express at night to relieve the fullness. DD's weight gain is about 4lbs in 8 weeks and she is super gassy, but thriving.
Then at 9 weeks she got her vaccinations and slept for blocks of 2- 3 hours at a time during the day for two days, waking up to feed, followed by a family party on a third day where she was passed round and cooed over all day with me taking her to feed every 2-3 hours.
Fourth day, I wake up in cold sweat and feverish with a nasty case of mastitis in my right boob (the good one, basically the one she constantly feeds on)!
I go to the Docs, get Antibiotics and try my best to feed DD on the right boob but it's excruciating and she also can't seem to drain it. Switch to pumping electronically on that side, also can't drain it. I'm feeding her on the left/dud boob which seems fine for a bit.
It's now been 5 days. The mastitis is much better (some redness lingering) but holy crap my nipple is huge/swollen/hot and I can't ever seem to drain the boob completely. A lactation consultant said it was Edema and to try reverse pressure massage.
My DD still can barely latch on and fusses like crazy on the both sides that I'm crying when she's tugging in the nipple cos of the pain and distress (i think impatient for the fast flow shes used to) and I don't want to pump on it either, as I think excessive pumping could be part of the reason for the edema. I've started using a naturebond silicon collecter to drain the right side and giving her it in a bottle, whilst feeding her on the left too.
My concern is losing the supply in my good boob..I know I had oversupply before so it could do with going down but I rely on it to feed her.
Does anyone know how long an edema will take to right itself? Should I put up with the pain of DD feeding off it or will that not help the swelling?
Any help appreciated!