Sudden breast pain (x-posted)

[saffrongirl]

I'm breastfeeding my baby - she's one month old today. I've been having some nipple pain due to a bit of a shallow latch but we're working on it. Suddenly this afternoon I noticed a really sore spot in one breast. It had a sudden enough onset that I actually stopped the car (I was driving) and looked at my breast to see what was going on. There is no redness or streaking, no swelling or hardness, just localized pain. I don't have a fever or anything although I had a headache yesterday.

The pain is enough that it does bother me when I'm just hanging out. I tried cabbage in the bra and even taking the bra off. I'm wondering if it's possible that this is referred pain from the nipple pain (I have definite trauma in the nipple on that side) or would this be mastitis (without the fever or redness, etc.)?

HELP! I'm really worried about what this could turn into.

[paulamc]

Was it just a 'sore spot' or was it sort of shooting pains? Shooting pains can be a symptom of thrush. Do you have any burning or itching in the nipples?

[saffrongirl]

Just a sore spot. No shooting and no white spots or itching. No patches in baby's mouth either. Just a painful area.

[Heba]

There are several possible causes. Yes, referred pain from nipple injury is possible so as that heals, the pain should go (keep working on that latch and you could use lanolin for moist wound healing). It's also possible that it's referred pain from a bacterial infection in the nipple (is it showing any signs of infection?).

It could also be a plugged duct even if you can't feel a lump, although typically pain for a plugged duct comes on gradually. Good info here: http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mom/mastitis.html

A poorly-fitting bra can also cause pain like this, as can ineffective breast pump use (do either of these sound possible?) or it could even be referred pain from a muscle injury.

If it doesn't go away, I'd get it checked out. These are the most likely things, but there are other possibilities, and if it's an infection you may need medical treatment.

[Heba]

How are you feeling today? Any better?

I didn't mention thrush earlier, although Paula did. Deep breast pain between feedings can be a sign of ductal thrush and you may not have symptoms on the nipple (I didn't when I had ductal thrush), although typically that would be more of a shooting pain.

Anyway, hoping you are feeling better!

Heba