6 days post birth - right breast very sore

[littleduck]

Hi all

I had my little girl early on Wednesday. Am breastfeeding her and it seems to be going quite well after a shaky start as she was jaundiced, sleepy and very reluctant to feed - milk came in on Friday/Saturday and have been getting plenty of wet and dirty nappies since Sat afternoon.

I think my milk comes down quite quickly when she starts to feed, I often see milk kind of pooled around her mouth whilst she is feeding, she manages about 10 minutes before coming off by herself, she fed a little bit longer when I fed her just now but posseted up the excess soon after whilst her dad was changing her.

I fed from the right breast just now as it was the right breast's 'turn' - it felt very full and sore before the feed started, even following the feed now it still feels quite full and sore, dart-like painful feelings coming backwards into the breast from the nipple. I'm keen to avoid any problems with things like blocked ducts or even mastitis - is the pain cause for concern?

I wondered if I should express but the hospital midwives said not to as it would make my breasts produce more even more milk than they are at present. Should I express to drain the breast a bit? I have a pump I could use as I find hand expressing very difficult.

Any advice appreciated.

littleduck - the helplines will be open in about 90 minutes
The NHS one (operated by ABM and BfN) is here:
0300 100 0212
I would urge you to give them a ring so they can run through a bunch of questions.
They'll want to rule out blocked duct or mastitis risk (lumps and bumps?, red patches on breast?)
Your dart-like pain might also suggest a thrush risk. (any antibiotics post-birth? Any nipple symptoms?)

I would wary about getting into a pattern of pumping after a feed for the reasons the midwives mentioned. However if you do feel very sore and full I would massage the breast and feel for any lumps or hard wedges. Perhaps pump a little if you really feel uncomfortable but try and keep it to the minimum.

I think they also advise not to start pumping for a few weeks, don't they? To establish "normal" supply.
It sounds like it might be the beginning of a blocked duct.....I had one once and it was v sore...the advice was to feed feed feed from that side, as it does seem to bring a bit of immediate relief. If you can see a white spot on the nipple that is the end of the blocked duct...(I had this- and was told to pierce it with a sterilised needle) Euuuuw and owwwww, but it brought instant relief...
Hope it gets sorted for you soon, and congrats on your little girl.

Another reason to be a bit cautious about pumping in your case is that you are showing some of the signs of possible oversupply (short feeds, milk pooling, fast letdown, possiting). It's not unusual at this stage but too much pumping will make it more of a problem not less. But this needs to be balanced with mastitis and blocked duct risk of course. Bucharest is right that baby feeding would be better than pumping.
Some people feel stretching and discomfort ordinarily at this stage but it's important to speak to someone as if you do have a blocked duct you may have a fairly short window before it turns into mastitis.

Hope it gets sorted easily and you feel better soon.