smell on breast pad...is this normal???

[alannabanana]

hmmm, not really sure whats going on with my left boob - had blocked ducts, almost mastitis, only in the left! - and now i've got this weird thing where the breast pad comes away a bit smelly...like milk on the verge of sour! also have severe damage on the nipple at the moment which means theres tiny spots of blood on the pad as well - not sure if the two are connected.
pretty sure its not thrush as theres no sign of it on the other nipple or in my sons mouth.
basically just wondering if anyone else has experienced this, if so, should i be worried??

Whenever I have thrush it only affects one breast and my DD and DS rarely showed any signs of it themselves.

Sorry, that was a bit blunt

have you sorted out the reason for the nipple trauma? Is your latch worse on that side than the other?

mastitis can change the taste of the milk, making it saltier, so maybe that is what's causing the difference in smell?

god i hope it isnt thrush, or mastitis for that matter. i always thought my latch was actually better on the left as he sometimes slips off the right. the skin is actually broken on the nipple and its quite red and angry looking on one side of the areola. the whole nipple is so dry - using tons of lansinoh at the mo. only just noticed the funny smelling milk today.
i think i need to see someone don't i...

Probably best to see a BFC or a MW/HV who knows their stuff.

I hope you get things sorted

In the meantime....there is lots of advice on kellymom for various BFing problems

just read up on that kellymom link - thanks for that. i think it might be mastitis you know. have started to feel quite weird today - thought it was just general exhaustion, but maybe not. thankfully its easter hols now - husband is a teacher, so can take the reigns a little while i get over this.
thanks again for the info.