In a lot of pain, very sore breast

[SashaSays]

Hi not sure if anyone is awake but I'm in so much pain I can't sleep. My daughter is five months old and is breastfeeding, today I woke up with a very sore hot and heavy left boob..the other one is fine. Its very painful to touch and aching really really bad..i have been letting my baby feed from it as I don't want it to get too full but it aches so much..can I take anything for it. I am going to the gp in the morning. Has anyone had this?

Sounds like mastitis to me, definitely see the GP ASAP, you may need antibiotics.

Take some paracetamol or ibuprofen for the pain and try a warm compress or bath/shower.

Hi OP I'm pretty sure It's mastitis, you can take some paracetamol. You need to get the shower head as hot as you can bear on the effected area as often as you can, get a hot water bottle and hold that to it too. I know it's painful but give yourself a breast massage, really firmly push the sore part down and towards your nipple as often as you can bear it. Drink loads of water. Then in the morning make an emergency appointment with your GP, tell the receptionist you think you have mastitis and she may then give you the most appropriate doctor if she can. How long have you had it? With the hot shower/massage etc it may work itself out - it's similar to a blocked mill duct - but if GP has a look, he/she may prescribe antibiotics. really hope you feel better, it's bloody awful, I've had it a few times xxx

Don't take ibuprofen if your breastfeeding x

Sorry Kat x post

Ibuprofen is fine when breastfeeding, and may be more effective as it's an anti inflammatory.

PP are right to suggest GP checks you out for Mastitis. Agree with katkitkat that ibuprofen is fine to take if breastfeeding (make sure you've eaten recently and don't take if pregnant).
OP have you checked around nipple for any visible signs of a blocked duct? when I've had blockages I could see a small pinprick of white on my nipple. Vigorous scrubbing in shower with a rough towel could help "release" it if it is that rather than full on mastitis. In any case hot shower and massage might help alleviate the symptoms a little.
Never tried this but apparently a leaf or two of cabbage from the fridge is also good to apply onto the breast. Might be an old wives tale though.
Good luck

www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/wp-content/dibm/BFN%20Mastitis%20feb%2016.pdf

Hope this helps x

If your breast is really full and hurting try hand expressing to relieve the pressure, this is good if you're doing the massage too, hope you feel better

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.unicef.org.uk/babyfriendly/baby-friendly-resources/video/hand-expression/amp/

Thank you everyone, I am definitely going to see my GP in the morning. Today I have felt really achey and horrible. I tried a bath before which helped, I've had it since I woke up this morning.

You will feel fluey too; it is miserable; I had it so many times with ds and can remember the agony over 20 years later. Good luck at the doctors, don't be fobbed off.

Rocking the article you've referred to states ibuprofen is safe to take when breastfeeding.

Oh I know, I was mistaken, sorry, I thought the others posters had come along and said it was ok and the op had got that, I should've corrected myself. I just don't take it as I find it upsets my babies tummy, funnily enough it didn't bother my DS2 but my DD1 and DS3 it did so I just avoid it but I was half asleep last night feeding my lo so prob wasn't thinking straight. How are you doing OP? Hope you managed to get examined and you're feeling some relief now

Sorry haven't been able to update although today I feel so much better so didn't end up going to gp. Was letting baby feed from the sore breast during the night and massaged it carefully, maybe it was just a blocked duct? Not sure but it was bloody painful, glad I'm feeling okay now

Feeling very dumb now as the pain has come but ten times worse after I woke up from a nap. Should have gone doctors on Monday by will go tomorrow. I'm wondering if it was mastitis as I have no blocked duct and boobs are not full at all. Just one side really hurts.