Shooting pains in my breast after feeding

[CT123]

I'm breast feeding my 3 week old son and I've started getting shooting pains in one breast after feeding. It's internal, just behind the nipple, and I have no other symptoms. Feeding is fine but the pain starts shortly afterwards and lasts for an hour or two. It doesn't sound exactly like mastitis, as my breast is not red, hot or swollen. Is this normal? Do I need medical attention?

Hi CT123 and well done on your BF. Don't worry, it's normal to sometimes have pain. You are very much in the early stages of breastfeeding and by six weeks everything should be settling down and you'll feel into a ryhthm and so will your breasts! [smil] You may have a slight milk duct bockage which is very common. The most important thing is not to avoid BF, keep going especially on the side that is most painful as your baby's sucking will eventually clear it. The best thing you can do is make sure you aren't always in the same postions when you breastfeed. If you normally feed in a chair then try it lying down on your side. That gives the angle of the baby's suck a chance to change and makes sure that it will drain the milk from all the ducts. Some people find a warm bath helps and a massage but look up blocked milk ducts on the net and you'll find some helpful advice. If you find the pain is wearing you down take some paracetamol - don't just live with it because you'll be lacking in slepp and don't need pain to give you grief on top of coping with a new baby. Get rest when you can. Hope this helps and congratulations on your new arrival!

Thank you so much for your advice laurasmiles! I will keep feeding on this side, in different positions, as you suggest and hope it improves soon.

Try putting a warm flannel on the breast that hurts just before feeding your LO as this can help to clear a blocked duct