Mastitis?

[Zimbah]

I think I might have a blocked duct or the beginnings of mastitis but I'm not sure. DD is 11 months and I've had no problems up to now. There's a slightly red patch in a triangle shape starting from my nipple, which is a bit sore - not majorly painful but I don't want it to get worse. It doesn't feel lumpy, it might be slightly hot over that patch but it's hard to tell. It started yesterday evening and has got very slightly redder since then. Does that sound like it might be the start of mastitis or a blocked duct? I thought that it came on more quickly than that. Should I treat it as if it is mastitis? I can't ramp up feeding DD any more than usual as she's not interested - she'll probably feed once this afternoon (or maybe not) then at bedtime, and a few times in the night - although I could pump if that would help.

[ewe+lamb]

OK, when your dd does nurse try and get her to nurse with her chin nursing at the red triangle area - it may take some imagination! Hot compresses and massage are probably better than the breast pump, hot compresses should be as hot as you can stand it to melt down the thick milk that is blocking the duct, massage starting at the arm pit, with the palm of your hand in firm but gentle circular motions moving slowly down to the nipple, this should help and you can also explain to your dd that she can help you too by nursing, sometimes this triggers a sympathy and they will try to help!! Hope that this is helpful to you. Good luck.

[Madalyn]

I had mastitis about 2 months ago. For me I didn't notice the red patch until after I was already having flu like symptoms. I thought I was just getting sick until I got out of the bath and noticed my boob was all red. It felt sore and was definitely noticeably hotter than the rest of my breast. I did the hot compresses, massaging, and tried to feed him off that side more than normal. Though he was much younger than your DD so I had a lot of feedings during the day still. Hopefully if it is mastitis you've gotten lucky and skipped over the whole feeling like you have a horrible flu phase because I felt like complete crap for 2-3 days. I think it took about a week to be totally back to normal.

[ewe+lamb]

How are you doing? feeling any better today?

[Zimbah]

Thankyou for the advice, it worked . I used a hot flannel and massage last night before nursing DD to sleep, I got DH to help arrange her in position - I was able to side-lie like normal, the difference being that her feet were by my head (kicking me ). This morning the redness is gone and it's only very slightly sore if I press it, so I'll just keep an eye on it. Yay for MDC!