Mastitis or what?

[JoyfulJoyful]

Hello
I've been breastfeeding for 7 weeks and like a lot of women, I've had a few issues which I thought were resolved but a few days ago I felt a lump which panicked me but the GP said it is milk that needs to come out but in the last 3 days I've beenhaving sharp needle like pains in both bressts.

I asked the GP if it's mastitis but she said it shouldn't be. I am using a lot of lansinoh because both breasts are also cracked. I really don't want to stop breastfeeding because I like it and my baby is putting on weight.

I've got flucloxacillin but don't know if I should use it.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Hi QTpie, the needle like pain is around the time of letdown and I find that my breasts are getting engorged more than before.

Thanks a lot QTPie, I really appreciate your post. I will attend a breastfeeding session. The HV gave me a list of classes. In the meantime, I'll continue with lansinoh.

I had really bad problems with pain when I was feeding my DD for the first few months, especially on one side. It started after I took antibiotics for mastitis when she was 2 weeks old, this caused thrush (not visible on the skin or in DDs mouth). This was really, really painful, and after repeated treatment for weeks, it calmed down slightly. The pain then came back with a vengeance, and the doctor sent off a sample of my milk for testing. The result of this was that I had a staph aureous infection in the milk (the bacteria got in when I had cracked nipples in the early days, and gradually got worse). Then after two courses of the right antibiotics it was totally better.

I didn't have a painfree feed with DD until she was 5 months old, BUT I then went on to feed her very happily until she was 2.2 years! I have only just stopped (and really miss it!).

I must stress though, that I had to keep 'banging on doors' to get the help I needed, and was told numerous times by Doctors and health visitors to 'just give up!'. It's not right that we have to push for the help and treatment we need with breastfeeding, but the 'experts' often don't have the knowledge they should have to support breatsfeeding women and babies.

I wish you lots of luck

Thanks fluffy. I may have to go back to the GP if the pain doesn't subside. My right breast especially has become very painful to the point of it being almost unbearable to feed but I will not give up. I thought it was thrush too so I have been using vinegar to wash both breasts but it hasn't made any difference.

I will see how it is over the weekend. Will also start using a warm flannel to massage the breasts.

I had matitis and thrush at same time hv perscibed a cream that cleared up thrush had to drain boob tho very painful.Keep up good work tho it will pass.

Thanks ladies. I don't know how to go about moving this post but will check the bf forum.

Have you looked on kellymom.com?

Doesn't sound like mastitis to me - I've had it 3 times and you need to have a high temp and flu-ey symptoms for it to be mastitis. Whenever I've had it I've been completely floored, only able to sleep and feed baby.

It could be a blocked duct, thrush, a painful letdown, poor latch or vasospasm... All these should be discussed on kellymom :)

Hello Welovegrapes and Jolly, no I haven't looked on kellymom and there are no bumps on my nipples.
There are no hard bits in my breast now, it really is more the pain more than anything.

I have and I feel a bit better.