Ok, so I think I might have an infection - Please help.

[DeChRi]

Can someone help me think through this? I first noticed pain in my left breast yesterday evening. I believed it to be mostly nipple pain, vs like a lumpy plugged duct I would normally get on the side of my breast. It hurt a lot when DD nursed at midnight last night. I woke up through the night with chills and horrid body aches (was thinking flu, since my breast hurt far less than other breast infections I have had).

Today I thought my left nipple seemed unusually tender as well, so though maybe it was just hormonal and that I was getting the flu.

We I just looked in the mirror and it did look like i had a red area started at my left nipple and fanning out about a silver dollar size. I also now feel a slight lump kind of under the nipple and to the left a bit. However, the lump and the redness are very slight.

So my questions are:
1) Is it just a normal to get plugged ducts close to the nipple vs on the side of the breast?
2) Do I HAVE to get an antibiotic for this?
3) Do I need to call the Dr quickly, or given that it isnt horrible, should I just wait and watch for a couple days?
4) Could my all over achey symptoms be caused by the breast infection, or would my breast be way more uncomfy than it is by the time it hit me everywhere?

Thanks!

[ewe+lamb]

What you describe is more like mastitis and seeing as you have flu like symptoms with a fever then i would be more likely to go to the dr and get that which is needed - antibiotics or if you're not too into that try and go see a homeopath, in the meantime use hot compresses, now then when I say hot I mean as hot as you can stand it without burning yourself, this is to 'melt' down the milk which is just like thick cream so that you can get baby to nurse it out, if you think that the block is just underneath the nipple then try and position baby in the same way that you would position a newborn, tummy to tummy, ear, shoulder and hip in a direct line pull in tight, it is painful and you can still nurse safely on that breast but I would really try go see someone if the fever is still there, then once you are sorted out with that which is necessary treat yourself as if you are really ill, get into bed, keep nice and warm, cancel any appointments and really get yourself back on track - I'm sure all will work out fine. Start the hot compresses asap!!!

[DeChRi]

Thanks Ewe. I actually have the same aches and stuff today that I did yesterday, but no other symptoms, which makes me think it is mastitis and not the flu. I checked and had 4 days of Cephlexin, unexpired, from a past script I didnt end up needing. That is what my Dr has given me for the other two times I have had mastitis (safe for BF and since we are mid TWW hoping to get preggo asap). So I went ahead and started taking that this morning and will call the Dr when they open tomorrow (holiday here today). Sitting with a compress on right now.

Thanks for the advice!

[ewe+lamb]

How are things today? Feeling better - no fever, red marks or anything?
ewe

[DeChRi]

Thanks for checking in....no red, no fever, no body aches, and slight slight breast pain, but still a big rock hard lump that has my a bit freaked. It that normal???

[madeleines_mom]

I had a blocked duct once that resloved very quickly. I'm guessing that's what caused your mastitis and it's still blocked, right??

If that is the case, try BFing with your baby's chin facing the lump (this was tricky for me as the lump was at the top of my breast, so I had to do some acrobatics to get her chin facing it, but this is what caused it to unplug!). Massage it while the baby's drinking.

[ewe+lamb]

No the lump is being a bit stubborn and needs some persistance at getting out!
So the treatment of mastitis is heat, gentle massage, frequent breastfeeding and lastly rest - are you getting enough rest? This is important.

So hot compresses and gently massage the area while it is warm - remove and dried milk on the nipple by soaking in water - no soap or anything just plain water. Lean over a basin of water or lie on your side in a a bath and soak the affected breast for 10 minutes or so at least three times a day - you could take a shower, hot wet packs, heating pad or a hot water bottle between nursings!

For massage when the breast is warm, start massaging with the palm of your hand over the lump in a gentle but firm movement, if you can also massage the breast using your fingers to knead the breast start at the armpit and work towards the nipple.

Breastfeed as often as is possible, remove any tight clothing - make sure that if you are wearing a bra that it is properly fitted, and you could remove it for this difficult period if that's possible and more comfortable for you, if not get one a bigger size or in a different cut so that it's relieving the pressure where you usual bra is. Make sure that you baby is well positioned at the breast, and be open to the nursing gymnastics that you may have to do to get baby's chin in the right position to nurse away the block.

Also you milk supply in the affected breast may decrease a little, this is because of the block signalling to your body that it's making too much milk, don't worry your supply should go back to normal within the week.

Good luck and let us know how you are getting on!