Breastfeeding help

[moonsurferpig]

Hi all,

I am a FTM and have been breastfeeding for 8 weeks. The last few days my left breast has been very sore when feeding, the pain is focused on/around the nipple but seems different to the early pains when I was getting used to breastfeeding or experiencing cluster feeds.
The breast is now engorged but baby isn't able to extract milk. I have made several attempts to put her on but to no avail.
What is the best thing to do? I'm just preparing my pump to see if that helps get things back on track. I'm concerned about diminishing my supply otherwise!

Thanks in advance

Could it be a blocked duct or nipple bleb I think they are called? Can you see any little white spots or blisters on your nipple that could be blocking the milk flow?
Is there a hard area on the breast itself where a duct may be blocked? If so, pump and feed on that side to try to clear it and prevent mastitis. Using a wide toothed comb over the area when expressing or feeding can help. Warm water on it too - I expressed on a warm bath when I had a blocked duct to try to clear it.
Thrush can also cause nipple pain when feeding -does your baby have any white patches in the mouth/tongue?

Also once you have expressed a bit so the breast isnt so engorged, it may be easier to feed from that side and babies are so much better at clearing ducts than pumps

Do you massage your breasts each shower in the manual pumping action? This may help. Try it under quite warmish hot water.

Thank you so much for your replies. So I had a very hard lump which I assume was a blocked duct, as suggested and upon investigation did also have some white hard bits on my nipple. After a very long night/morning and much pain baby managed to help me clear it up and I am finally feeling better. Thanks again for your helpful responses now time for some sleep! I will use the shower technique also

Great news! Glad it has all cleared for you!