Why does my breast hurt in between feeds?

[cravingchocolate]

I have been bf my 4 week old dd and initially found the first 10 seconds toe curlingly painful. I checked the latch and made a few adjustments (having forgotten between dd2 and 3!) which really helped with the pain. But I am now getting a pain in my breast about 5 minutes after I finish feeding which lasts for about 30 minutes and my nipples are sensitive all day.

Is this normal or does anyone have any suggestions as to what this could be and what I could do to help it? I have surprised myself this time round and I am finding the feeding really easy (apart from the pain) and I am really enjoying it, so I really don't want to cut it short as I did with the last two.

Many thanks in advance.

may be thrush. If your nipples are sensitive are they a bit pinker than usual?

It sounds like you are describing thrush to me. I would phone a helpline for treatment recommendations and then see your GP for a prescription (for you and baby).

Can just one of you get thrush then - as I have checked her mouth and there are no white spots. My nipples are quite pink at the moment.c I had it with dd1, she had the spots and I had terrible pain when she fed - was not sure if this was the same as the pain is in between feeds.
What is the usual treatment for thrush?

Definitely sounds like thrush. Get yourself off to the GP and get aural treatment for you and cream for you and baby. I can't remember the names as I've just run out of leaflets!! INSIST!! Doctors don't do thrush! Even if you haven't got it, it will do no harm to baby or you so probably worth a shot anyway!!

You can't always see the thrush in a baby's mouth. Pain can start during the feed and go on afterwards. Pink nipples are also a sign, they 'lose' their colour a little.

Thrush pain is classically not usually during the feed but building towards the end and inbetween feeds.
Thrush treatment is outlined in the bfn leaflet (link below). It is currently awaiting an update as a recommendation changed re using gel for very young babies as people were worried about them choking on larger blobs. Even if baby doesn't show symptoms you should also treat them. You can also take lacto acidophilus probiotics (in the fridge at a health food shop) and grapefruit seed extract and you need to wash bras, towels, muslins at high temps to kill spores. Change breastpads frequently and let nipples get some air as thrush prefers dark moist environments.
I'm not saying you have thrush for sure but I think it's a possibility.
www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/thrush-and-breastfeeding.html

A normal treatment might be nystatin suspension for baby, daktarin cream for your nipples and fluconazole tablets for you (you start with a higher dose and then reduce). Sometimes baby might get a gel instead of suspension.
The bfn leaflet acknowledges that your GP may not know much about breast thrush and offers them info too. A common mistake is a GP to offer a vaginal dose for fluconazole for example.

If you can't find anyone to say for sure if you have thrush you could start with lacto acidophilus capsules and perhaps use the powder inside to make up a paste to put on your nipples after a feed. Then wash off with plain water before a feed (but traces left will help baby too). See if that makes a bit of a difference before you go the whole hog.

I think it sounds like it could be thrush too. I have it at the moment too and would advise anyone to see the GP as soon as possible. I was feeling sore/ had pain after feeding and thought it was to do with position. It was quite a while before I realised it could be thrush and sought treatment- I am wondering whether it is now harder to clear because of that.

My ds did not have white spots to begin with (I checked as soon as I suspected thrush). He developed those a day or two later and that it is what made me go to the doctors. Has your little one got a nappy rash which appeared around the same time as your symptoms? This can be indicative of thrush too. I think no harm in getting it checked. At the very least it might put your mind at rest. I am sure that you won't have to cut bf short. Good luck!

Sorry for hijack - how are you getting on Helms?

Pain between feeds and very sensitive nipples does sound like thrush. IME treatment as per BFN leaflet only kept symptoms at bay for a week, not sure why. I supplemented subsequent treatment with Grapefruit seed extract tablets as per advice on La Leche leaflet on thrush(which I found very helpful) and MN and have never looked back! Good luck

Lizzytee-thank you for asking

Hardly dare say it just incase it flares up again but am feeling much better, thanks. Am still using the Daktarin cream on me and the Nystatin for my little one. Still have funny little pains now and again and am a bit sore but no where near as bad. The crack I had has healed so am back to feeding rather than expressing on that side. Am back at the GP on Thurs so will see what he thinks if the thrush is still hanging around (which am sure it will be).

cravingchocolate- How are you getting on? Are things any better. Hope so

Glad to hear it Helms!