Mastitis

[gertrudebiggles]

I never really had mastitis before despite BFing DS1 for 2 years. Just a few blocked ducts.

DD is now 18 months and for the last month I've had what I'm thinking might be mastitis.

One boob is really tender on the right said and this area feels lumpy. When she latches it's quite sore. It's also not draining properly and getting hard / full.

This goes on for a few days then goes away. Today I've woken up and it's happening again, maybe 4th time in a month.

Why is this suddenly happening?

I'm panicking a bit that it could be sinister as the area feels lumpy, but presumably this could just be the ducts.

Anyone else only develop mastitis with a toddler?

Not mastitis OP but I’ve developed a problematic lot of blocked ducts (multiple but all in the right boob) and only since January, when I’d already been feeding DS 22 months. His latch went off when he had a cold and I ended up with a milk bleb on the end of the nipple and it’s happened twice in the last few months, pretty much half of my boob ends up lumpy and sore and you can see the swollen lumps. Absolutely no idea why now and not in the earlier days, but I’ve had it scanned and it’s definitely just blocked ducts and nothing sinister. The only thing I find that works is ice, hand expressing in the shower and lymphatic massage (lots of good videos on YouTube of how to do this). It takes a couple of days to clear each time but I can spot it earlier now and it clears quicker! It’s bloody awful though so I do feel for you

You’d have a temperature with mastitis as it’s an infection. It would be red, sore and wouldn’t go away on its own.

Have a chat to your GP or health visitor to check you out.

Thanks for replies, I appreciate it.

Yes, I think I'll book into GP after Bank Holiday as it's been playing on my mind. Havent seen my HV since DD was 6 months!

I've got no temp, feel a bit tired but that's probably more linked to DD's dislike of sleep.

@Cdocthis sounds exactly like mine. DD hasn't had a cold but has been teething so maybe this has changed her latch. Good shout.

Definitely get it checked to put your mind at ease as I don’t think you can ever be too careful with lumpy boobs! But it does sound a lot like mine so hopefully (awful and painful as it is) it’s just that. Lymphatic massage in particular though has been brilliant for clearing it quickly so give it a try

Mastitis feels like the worst flu you've ever had. I had a high temperature, chills, body aches, and a red spot on the infected breast (which felt hard as a rock and was utterly excruciating)
Doesn't sound like mastitis to me, but maybe make an appointment with your GP anyway.

Before you see the gp, try ibuprofen, max dose (as long as you aren't pregnant/trying) then feed, feed, feed from the affected boob, feeding from that side first each feed. The ibuprofen reduces any swelling in the blocked ducts and the milk flowing through them, albeit a bit sore, is a natural antiseptic and soothe the duct.
If it's taken hold, your gp will probably advise antibiotics, but if it happens again and you can catch it early with the ibuprofen/mega feed then you can avoid it taking hold and avoid the need for future antibiotics.

Why now? Baby has shifted feeding pattern, grown/shifted position slightly/become a bit lazy in latching on. Go back to basics, sitting straight, feet on floor, check the angle of his head when latching on to try to ensure he's got a really good latch each time.

(Not qualified, but fed my two for 7 years in total, and had to learn to do this. Vivid memories of that sensation you describe and desperately rushing for the ibuprofen to avoid it getting a hold . . . )

Best of luck

And it would escalate very quickly and the pain will be unbearable, your breast would feel hot to the touch. You'd have a fever, not just a temperature, and would need antibiotics.

Blocked ducts perhaps?

Either way as it has been going for a month make a GP app or speak to your HV for advice (or both!)

Thanks all, so helpful. Definitely not mastitis so, and it seems I'm very lucky to have never had it.

I had to chuckle at the comment on feeding position as I nearly always feed lying down in bed (on wake up, for nap, before bed, through the night). Far too lazy to be sitting up, plus she's heavy now!

I'll give the ibuprofen a go :)

I saw the GP who has booked me in to the breast clinic for a scan. She's not especially concerned but thinks it's best to have it checked. Apparently there's a lump under the armpit too- I've no idea how long for, but maybe a lymph node? Movable and the size of a kidney bean.

I'll update the thread after my scan.

Just a little panic update as I can feel a lump under each armpit now. Maybe 1cm or a bit bigger, hard, but smooth and movable. I think lymph nodes, but am concerned as to why they're suddenly so obvious :(
Appointment on Thursday with the breast clinic

@gertrudebiggles do you know it definitely wasn’t raised in the other side before? When I’m particularly worried about something symptom wise (health anxiety for years) I tend to find that it seems a lot more obvious than it was before, even if it has been like that for a while. It fuels a cycle of panic!
focus on having Thursday booked and knowing you are doing everything you can ♥️

Thank you, I appreciate your calm response ❤️ You're right, I don't know how long the lumps have been there as I only went looking this last week. They're quite far in, so perhaps have been there a very long time.

It’s so difficult because I am exactly like you, I go looking for things and then convince myself they are new, even if they could’ve been there months if not years unnoticed. Let us know how you get on ♥️

Just updating the thread as I hate when threads get abandoned.

Ultrasound found an enlarged lymph node in each armpit. Just under the limit for when they'd biopsy. So they've said to monitor and come back in a few weeks if not gone.

They've said it could be from when I had the flu, but that was 2 months ago now and I didn't notice anything back then.

The breast has a few little cysts but nothing concerning, so that's good at least.

I'm not feeling very reassured TBH- I wanted them to say it's all good and bye bye!!

Oh, sorry to hear that op. It doesn't feel like it, but it is good that you have had them checked now, and hopefully they can be monitored and sorted. Fingers crossed for you.