can you have mastitis before baby is born?

[Greatbigterribleshart]

28 weeks. Have had loads of leaks from the left which I noticed hasn't happened over the last couple of days. Now feeling very sore/burny feeling and it's very hot. Should I be massaging or expressing to get it out now or will that harm my supply when baby gets here?
Any tips to cool the burning feeling?

Definitely try and make a GP app for a proper examination- it could be mastitis and you might need antibiotics! Cool packs or homemade cold compresses should help until then, too much massaging/expressing isn’t recommended before 37 wks.

I had it 2 weeks ago at 14 weeks pregnant.

Are there any lumps? I would definitely palpate and try and hand-express a little bit to see if there is a blockage. Remember many women breastfeed all the way through pregnancy so you won't do any harm by doing so.

Do you have a temperature? You can take paracetamol for any pain.

I had mastitis when I was pregnant. Isn't pumping used to bring on labour? I personally wouldn't try to express just in case.

Isn't pumping used to bring on labour?

Uhhhh... Nope? No induction anywhere involves a breast pump. There is a thinly supported suggestion that nipple stimulation may trigger labour if you are basically ready to start it anyway, and for that reason hospitals tend to suggest you don't proactively harvest colostrum until 36/37 weeks, but as I mentioned tons of women actively breastfeed right through pregnancy, which is a lot more nipple stimulation than a bit of hand expressing to clear a blockage, and research has found that to have no adverse effects on pregnancy.

Also, if there is a blockage, it needs to be unblocked ASAP or the OP will risk getting sicker. Benefits totally outweigh the largely theoretical risks.

No lumps but the burning started in my nipple (almost as if I'd actually burned it) and has spread across the boob. I don't have a temp but I felt very hot and like I was about to faint yesterday but that was very short lived so not sure if it's all linked.

Cool packs are helping for now and has calmed it down quite a bit thank you everyone. GP wasn't keen on giving advice because he's heard conflicting reasons to pump/not pump. Midwives aren't in until thursday when I have an appointment anyway. GP doesn't think I need antibiotics right now but is trying to get midwife advice today and get back to me to see what they recommend.