Pain during feeding.. please help.

[HattiesandMyrtlesmum]

im experiencing a dragging/burning pain during breast feeding. I’ve had mastitis twice before as recently as a week ago but I’ve now started with the pain in the other breast. I feel like this can’t be mastitis again however the pain is the same. I have no temperature or redness.

The pain feels like a dragging sensation towards the bottom of my breast and then after it’s a burning pain. I’ve had my latch checked which was all fine. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what it could be or how to relieve it without needing more antibiotics.

Is your boob hard or normal in the sore area? Often a hot shower and a hand massage can get the milk moving.

It doesn't sound like a typical thrush presentation. However I suggest read up on the thrush in the breast and go and see your GP tomorrow. Unlike mastitis, thrush isn't going to make you very unwell. However it's painful. It's also very treatable. Insist on an emergency appointment, if you have given birth in the previous 6 weeks you should be on the priority list

Could it be a painful letdown? My letdown used to feel like I could feel all the milk pulling towards my nipple and it was painful, only happened at letdown and got progressively less sore and had gone by the time DC was about 6 months.

Thanks for the response. It’s feels normal can’t feel any lumps or bumps in that area and doesn’t feel hard.

Thank you I will give them a ring again tomorrow try and see someone.

This does sound similar it is more painful at the beginning of the feed but hasn’t happened all the time I used to be able to feed with no pain at all.

Has baby been checked for tongue tie? I had baby with tongue tie (we had to go private as NHS wouldn’t sort it out!), mastitis then thrush. The tongue tie made feeding really painful (as did the other two).

If you get thrush medication make sure you get gel for inside baby’s mouth and cream for your nips. One without the other won’t work!

It sounds like ductal thrush, it’s so painful - it feels like your baby is sucking shards of glass.

It’s easy to treat, but you have to treat your baby too as they probably have it in their mouth. The dr can prescribe tablets for you and gel for the baby.

Baby had her tongue tie sorted at 10 days old (we are really lucky that they have a midwife led tongue tie clinic where we live)

I will go to the doctors tomorrow to see if they will give me some thrush treatment to see if that works.

Thank you I will go to the doctors tomorrow to get some medication.

How old is your baby? When dd was around 2-3m I had this. Just periodically, it was like shooting sharp pains on the underside. It would make me jump it was so painful. I googled and it seemed fairly common and it went after a week or two. It might not be the same thing but if you don’t think it’s mastitis (doesn’t sound like it) or thrush (I had been checked) it might just be ‘one of those things’
obviously go see a dr if you are worried though

I went to see the doctor and this is what they have said. They have said to try pump to sort of ‘clear’ the boob but it should pass. I’ve got everything crossed that we will get back to normal as I’m going to struggle to continue if this doesn’t go.

I am not convinced you got the right advice from your GP. Most of them have limited training in breastfeeding support. I would try to find your local breastfeeding support group and speak to the infant feeding midwife. Or try getting hold of one of the Breastfeeding Network volunteers over their helpline. (Unfortunately only half of the calls get answered so you may have to persevere). Your case doesn't sound like a typical thrush presentation however it doesn't sound like a mastitis either. You need to see a lactation specialist. If it's thrush then you go back to GP. I am a midwife with interest in infant feeding

Even if it were mastitis, I believe the advice changed recently and that pumping to clear the blockage / empty milk, is no longer recommended. I think now rest, ice and antiinflammatories are recommended the same as for inflammation in other causes. How are you today OP?

I spoke to my local infant feeding team who suggested massage and also a few other positions to try and get rid of any clogs. There has been an improvement in the pain it’s not gone but it’s better than it was

That's good to hear and thank you for the update