Is this the start of mastitis?

[HelloSunshine346]

Recently went back to work, pumping milk in the office 2 days a week. I pump 3 times in an 8 hour work day. End of second day, third week, I have this deep burning pain in my breasts. And deep in my chest somehow. I had a tough lump on the side of each breast too but breastfeeding after work cleared it. Pain is still there.

My nipples also hurt, I'm not getting along with the pump at all. Could it be just sort of related to the nipple pain?

I also have a horrible cold so if I get a fever, it could be the cold!

Oh and my baby is teething (tooth no.3) and bit me a few times at the weekend so there is that too 😭

It sounds like it, yes. Often you can get cold/flu like symptoms with mastitis. Try and reduce the swelling as much as possible with cool compresses and massage. Old wives remedy that works is cabbage leaves. Use the outer layers in your nursing bra and it'll help reduce inflammation. I've tried it and it's been the best relief. Drink lots of water and rest as much as you can too. Also encourage baby to feed feom sore one(s) as much as possible as you want to empty them to relieve the pressue. Hope it starts to ease soon but if not you may need antibiotics from dr.

Do you have a milk bleb at all? (White dot on the nipple). That and blocked ducts always signals mastitis for me.

@Isitisit thankfully no more bleb. Not sure how I would know of a blocked duct?

@Commonsenseisnotsocommon thank you!

It's so frustrating, I made it to 7 months with no real issues and the second I start pumping, I get this!

How old is baby? Do you need to pump so much? Sorry for silly question, only because pumping is guaranteed to give me sore boobs (and did lead to mastitis for me?me) in a way that breastfeeding straight to source / baby hasn't

You may need to check flange size? Or pump sitch to avoid this being a problem going forward?

And as PP said the protocol has changed, treat breast as you would a swollen ankle so ice and v gentle handling, no heavy hot massage

Oh just saw your message - yes had the exact same thing with pumping causing it!

Could you just pump once in morning (if needed for milk) and then rest of day just gently take pressure off any engorged boobs but hand expressing rather than full on pumping to avoid the boobs making loads of extra milk which might contribute to mastitis?

Your supply should be well established that if you feed baby once your back home etc it won't be affected (effected? Also up feeding and brain not working)

@Alwaystired2023 I'm going to work from home the rest of the week so will just feed baby directly.

I've been careful not to pump too much. The nanny sends me photos throughout the day with how much milk baby has had from each bottle and what I'm getting is actually exactly spot on. I pump about 120 ml in the morning around 10 am, then only 90-100 ml for the following two / threw pumps.

I also feel like I've pulled a muscle in my chest/armpit which i am just reading somewhere else is another sign of mastitis.

Does it always need antibiotics? When do I decide to call the doctor?

Massage your boobs in a hot shower, it will hurt but you need to get rid of the hard lumps

No it doesn't always need antibiotics. You might get on top of it today with lots of feeds, handling breast carefully and cold compress, I have had a couple of occasions where I could feel it coming on and managed to ride out in this way. Always at the beginning of a breastfeeding journey when supply being established or if pumping.

If you can ask for antibiotics sooner rather than later so you have them on hand just incase

Oh no OP, it does sound like it. Get to the doctor for antibiotics and feed baby directly to help relieve (but it will hurt)

Cold not hot compresses!

Just came back to say thank you and post an update in case anyone else finds this and is looking for help:

I got straight on it with ibuprofen and ice. Fed baby on demand. After 2 days, I feel much better. Got antibiotics just in case but I didn't need them.

I also saw a lactation consultant who gave me some helpful tips:

• my flanges were the wrong size
• as I am pumping less often than baby is eating (baby eats every 2 hours but I can't pump that often and get any work done so instead I pump every 3 hours), she said to pump for 25-30 minutes to stimulate a second let down. I was stopping after 15 mins when no milk was coming out anymore but she said that wasn't enough.
• do not wear your pumping bra all day! It's way too tight and would have contributed to my problem