Ds has horrible cold, is only feeding from 1 breast, now other is lumpy and sore - WHAT DO I DO!?!?

[peggotty]

Please help! He's had horrible cold, one in the line of many since he was born (is 4 months old). Unfortunately he has also entered the 'distracted' phase, and is too interested in what's going on around him during the day to take proper feeds even when he's well. He's started rejecting totally one of my boobs, the one with more forceful let-down, I think. I can get him to take it at night but not at all during the day. Today when I woke up the boob he is rejecting is tender and feels a bit lumpy. I don't know what I should do, can anyone advise please!?

Bump for you.

do you have a pump? Express off that side until he is feeling a bit more himself again

warm bath, warm compress with flannels, express a little by hand. Take some paracetemol and rest if poss.

Would he accept it if you expressed some off first?

is it possible that he is uncomfortable lying on the side that he doesn't want to feed on?
If you think this is possible have you tried changing position? perhaps a rugby ball hold rather than the standard cradle?
my DS2 had lots of ear infections when he was little and we had to change positions alot to allow for his ears hurting.

Good luck, it will pass, I would use a warm flannel to let off some milk before offering him the one he is rejecting.

Hi
My ds is also at that distracted stage - too excited by the world. I have also got into the habit of feeding him more off one side - which has led to loop sided boobs . Could you try and express of the one he is rejecting so you don't end up with one really full breast. If it is sore maybe try applying hot flannels to ease the expressing or put the shower head on that boob when having a shower - I found that really worked when I had mastitus (not saying you have this)

Thanks all. I can't get a thing out expressing, but never have been able to. I think that he is more uncomfortable feeding on the 'bad' side, maybe his nostril is more blocked on that side? Will try the rugby hold as well, hadn't thought of that...

www.breastfedbabies.org/article.aspx?aId=16

in case it's helpful

rugby ball position helped me when it was like that

also expressing by hand in the bath

Don't know if it may help, but I feed LO off one boob, while hand pump expressing the other. That way you can make use of the letdown lo sucking brings on, and keep boobs more even. I don't have much success pumping at other times tbh.

Then I freeze that milk for future top ups!

when my DD did this for a few days it was because she had an ear infection- so didn't want to lie on that side. Maybe worth getting to your GP so they can check his ear- very common particularly after so many colds and easily cleared up with some antibiotics if it hasn't healed itself.

Agree with others try the rugby hold if possible, and if not use hot (as hot as you can handle) flannels or lying in a hot bath or under hot shower to let some milk leak out while massaging the lumps firmly (even if sore) towards your nipple. Be on the watch for mastitis- if you start feeling fluey or running a temp you may have it and could need antibiotics. Definitely take paracetamol if you feel really sore.

For pain relief a cabbage leaf from the fridge inside your bra against affected boob really helps (I kid you not!!)

Good luck hope your wee man's better soon and feeding normally again x