Extremely painful to breastfeed on one side

[IdiotSandwich05]

Hi all. I've been BFing DS for 11 weeks now with no issues, but yesterday out of the blue my right breast started hurting, and it's now agony to feed on that side. I literally wince and have to breathe through it! Even when I'm not feeding it's throbbing.

It's a horrid sharp stabbing/burning pain. It's mainly in my nipple/areola but the breast itself also hurts. It's agony to press on a certain area, but I can't feel a lump and it isn't red either. It does feel hot though. I feel fine, no temperature.

What could this be??

Mastitis or thrush. G

Ah, what happened there? Get to the gp as soon as they open.

Possibly mastitis from what you’ve described

could be thrush or maybe a staph infection.

I had a staph infection but it took weeks to diagnose. I got a cream called fucidic acid and it worked pretty quickly.

How irritating, I keep hitting the post button by mistake.

You could try having a hot shower and hand expressing with the shower head pointing at that breast.

Take painkillers too.

How's your LOs mouth? Any sign of thrush there?

Hi op. Sounds like a blocked duct. Can quickly turn to mastitis. Try this: www.carolsmyth.co.uk/breastfeeding-resources/posts/2020/april/mastitis-blocked-ducts-how-do-i-clear-a-blockage/

Up to date research advises again using excessive heat and forceful massage. The method here works for me every time. Lymphatic massage before every feed while lying reclined. Massage should be no harder than how you would massage your baby. Then cold pack after feed. Couple of feeds and blockage is usually gone.

Hope you get sorted. If no better within 24hrs and/or you have symptoms of infection ring GP straight away

Ps you could also have a bleb on your nipple causing the blockage. This method will also help if this is the case.

As others have said, probably a blocked duct. Make sure you keep feeding on that side even though it hurts (take painkillers) as this will help clear it. I'm not sure who these people are who can clear a duct with hand expressing in the shower as I could never do that and trying always made it worse 🤷🏻‍♀️. If the skin goes red and infected looking and you start to have pain across your back and feel feverish then you have mastitis and need antibiotics though.

I suffered a lot from blocked ducts and only had mastitis once. I think my bras were too tight to be honest but finding a supportive nursing bra in GG/H is difficult so I just dealt with it, and nursed for 15 months. If you get them more often you might want to check your bra for it still good. 😁

Thanks all. Just looked and there is some slight redness now? Only slight though.

That's how my mastitis started, painful to feed, and a slight redness. By the second day half of my breast was red, and I was experiencing flu symptoms. The midwife described it to her student midwife as an absolutely classic case. You will need to see a gp ASAP, for antibiotics. Keep feeding on that breast as much as you can, and gentle massage of the area.

Looks like mastitis. I had it and was v painful with flu like symptoms. Call your GP today for antibiotics.

Agree it looks Iike mastitis. Keep feeding from that breast even though I know it hurts. Call your GP asap as this is urgent and needs treating quickly (or do an e-consult form if they offer that), and clearly state you think it's mastitis. You could also try contacting your health visitor if you can't quickly speak to a GP.

Hope it clears up soon!

Thanks all. Went to GP and it is indeed mastitis. Started antibiotics now so hopefully I'll get some relief soon.