Pain after weaning

[welsh]

I last nursed DS (26 months) on Sunday night.
He'd already day-weaned except for nap nurse maybe 2 x per week but was latching on alot in the early hours of the morning for comfort.

I didn't think there was much milk left though. I wasn't hearing much swallowing, just a sleepy, painful-for-Mama latch.

Weaning has been ok.
He asks when he wakes at night (only 1-2 times though. already preferable) and when I refuse but offer something else -cuddles, water, kisses - he's sometimes angry but it doesn't last long.

I don't seem to be engorged at all but one nipple is really sore. The nipple and behind the areola hurt quite a bit on one side only.
There is some light crusting over the nipple and I've felt a couple of lumps which I've gentle massaged.
I tried to hand express a little but only got 2 drops (I was always a failure at pumping!), the 1st drop really creamy and the 2nd clear.

I want to avoid mastitis obviously. Any tips?
Thanks

[pbjmama]

I would use a wash cloth and gently rub off the crust. Take ibuprofen, heat the area, try hand expressing several times a day, even just two drops. Keep an eye on it for sure.

[welsh]

Thanks pbjmama,
I did manage to express a few more drops last night and I'm a little less sore this morning.
Am about to haul DH's lazy a$$ out of bed so I can soak in the tub with hot washcloths on my breasts for a while.....
Cheers