Milk coming in still or mastitis?

[Sunandsea77]

My baby is 6 days old. I have large breasts anyway but they are porn star engorged. This is my second child I’ve breast fed so not super alarmed by that. However, under/side of my left breast has gone really sore, and obviously the weight of my breasts is making it even more unmanageable. I’ve started to feel really cold (it’s not) and just generally sick/tired/rubbish. Is this still effects of milk coming in? My latch was checked with midwives just yesterday and I know she is feeding well as she’s only dropped 2% of birth weight.

I'd ring one of the BFing Helplines this morning and take a couple of paracetamol.

It could be Mastitis but a BFC on one of the helplines will know more.

Congratulations on your new LO too

I got mastitis when my daughter was 8 days old. My breast was engorged, red, hot and painful, and lumpy. I also had a very high temp (late 39).

1. keep feeding on that side
2. use a hot flannel on breast before feed to encourage let down, or have a hot shower
3. gently massage the breast using a clenched fist. Gently being very important!
4. if possible, try to massage the lumps towards the nipple during a feed
5. speak to your midwife or GP as soon as you can.
6. try to ensure that you aren't wearing any tight clothing including bra

Mine went on for a week but I have very large breasts so was hard to get the lumps out - apparently some people can hand express them out. In the end I was told to stop feeding on that side and only pump, because the lumps were taking so long to dissipate, but this was contrary to everything else I'd read or been told. So definitely discuss it with a midwife or latch consultant asap.

When I felt like this, it was mastitis and my GP prescribed antibiotics. Ring GP asap to check your situation.