Hard mass in centre of breast - latching diffuculties - Please help me!

[Eirlys]

Hello, i would be grateful if anyone can help me. DS1 is 6 weeks tomorrow and I'm still waiting for that magic moment when the breastfeeding will just "click" and become easy. My current major problems are a tongue tie (waiting for the snip), and he has thrush, which I think I've just got rid of from myself. I have sought a lot of help but I don't think I could call a helpline tonight without the floodgates opening.

Anyways, the latest problem is that there seems to be a solid core in my left breast that the flesh is kind of sliding around....and so when DS takes a mouthful of areola, it is just the skin he gets and so it is excruciating, and I don't think he's getting any milk). It is just tonight that this is a real problem, but i have the feeling it has been lurking from days, with my breasts feeling uncomfortably full if he goes for 3 hrs or longer without a feed. I have just emptied the left breast with a pump but the hardness still seems to be there - it just doesn't feel right.

I would be very, very grateful for any advice that you can give, thank you.

plugged ducts

sorry for brief response, bfing a wriggler

hang in there, will get easier

Sounds like a bit of a blocked duct - sometimes the really creamy milk gets stuck. I had this when breast feeding - was advised to apply warm flannels to the breast and to massage the lump down (or up depending where it is) towards the nipple. Hope that gives you some relief.

But check you do not have a temperature as other possibility could be mastitis and you should get to a doctor if that is a possibility as it can make you feel rotten.

Could be a blocked milk duct. A baby will get milk out even if you think the pump has emptied the breast. Have you tried the rugby hold, it's good at clearing any blockages because it does enable them to suck a bit more efficiently?

I'm sure others will come along with more help but stick at it, you sound very determined to succeed in spite of problems - good for you

Could you call a helpline? I'm sure they won't mind being ctied on. My first thought would be a blocked duct - and I would probably try to treat it with warmth and hand expressing - but I could be wrong. Does supporting your breast improve his latch? It must be terribly difficult with tongue tie. Hang in there. I hope my bumping this will ensure someone more knowledgeable sees it.

being cried on, sorry. And it might do you good to let it out. You're doing so well and it must be a real strain.

take it one feed at a time. didn't click for me until dd was 8ish weeks. you're doing so well.

had plugged ducts, sympathise, is hard work.

Thank you so much all for advice and support I love you. I read this before my midnight feed - took some paracetomol and got DS on, and he pretty much cleared it.

6 days till tongue-tie snip now, I can't wait to try techniques to reduce my milk supply (I seem to get engorged if I go longer than 3 hrs without feeding) but want to hold off until I know that he will be an efficient feeder.

Thanks berolina, I did burst into tears at my local breastfeeding coffee morning earlier in the week - I need to keep going now and crying again will make me believe its crap.