Sudden pain behind nipple after 5 weeks of pain-free breastfeeding

[vacaloca]

DS will be 5 weeks tomorrow and the breastfeeding has been going really well from the beginning. Suddenly just before the last feed I felt my right breast was quite sore - it's very sore if I press on it. It feels like the pain is just behind the nipple. He fed from that side and it was fairly sore throughout the feed, almost like he was 'biting' too much. I'm worried that it may be thrush - is there anything else it could be? I had thrush with DD1 and by the time it was diagnosed it had spread to both breasts and had me in tears during each feed and for up to 2 hours afterwards and I gave up in the end. I really don't want that to happen again. I was on ABs 4 weeks ago and have been taking probiotics daily since. I don't have any other thrush symptoms and can't see anything in his mouth, but then with DD1 neither of us had any visible symptoms either. I've got some Canesten cream that I was given by the GP when I started the ABs. Is it worth using it on my nipple just in case? Any other ideas?

I forgot to add that I also felt a bit feverish for a while after feeding on that side, although I didn't check my temperature.

it could be mastitis espec. if you feel feverish. if your boobs get very hard and painful and you continue to feel feverish, maybe see your GP...

in the meantime try massaging it gently if you can.

Sounds like mastitis which is where the milk duct gets blocked and infected. Have you got a lump/hard patch? If so you need to massage it as the milk duct could be getting blocked. I got this with DS1 and the doctor can prescribe antibiotics.

PS. You need to carry on feeding to clear the milk on this side even though it hurts!

My breast doesn't feel that full or lumpy. I'm trying to feel if there may be a lump behind my nipple but even doing that is too painful. And I don't think I can feel any lumps there.

It could be a blocked duct/mastitis. hot flannels applied to where the blockage is plus lots of hand expressing/massaging towards the nipple while feeding should help. You can take paracetomol for any pain.

It could be thrsuh though if you have recently had ABs. I had it on and off for nearly six months and was never really symptomatic (I had constant pain which worsened towards the end of a feed, lasted 30 mins afterwards and then went back to general background ache till next feed) and never had any nipple symptoms at all. the canesten will treat anything on the nipple, but if it is in your ducts you need some oral fluconazole as well as something for baby's mouth and cream for your nipples.

Good Leaflets here from The Breastfeeding Network. If you think it is thrush, take the leaflet and show your GP; most are pretty clueless when it somes to ductal thrush.

thrush

mastitis

I hope this helps

Hi there - did you ever figure out what was going on? I have the exact same issue right now!!!

Sounds like trush, but you'll need oral fluconazole

I see this post was fairly recent. What came of your pain?? Having the same issue now and the pain is actually so intense, especially while nursing, I feel like I could faint!