What, if anything, is wrong here?

[Annie Mac]

Nursing 3 1/2 weeks now. Baby latches fine, feeds well & is gaining weight nicely. Recently ( last week or so), my left breast hurt when the milk lets down. Kind of a sharp, searing pain that comes in lines, if that makes sense. It's not a general ache, it's like as if someone has drawn lines down my breast and those are the pain channels. I've also noticed some lumps, but they're not consistent. Example: yesterday afternoon, the lumps were on the outside, this morning they're on the bottom. The pain more or less follows the lumps, it seems. Anyone know what this is & how to fix it? TIA!

[Marsupialmom]

It sounds like blocked duct trying to "clear out" be careful. Take care of yourself. For ME that was how mastitis started

[pbjmama]

I agree it sounds similar to plugged ducts. In our case I would monitor wearning bras/tops that are too tight, take ibuprofen, massage the breast from the outside in starting in the armpit through the day, and apply heat before nursing to the affected area. The idea is to help those plugs work out before they get really blocked and cause an infection.

[Annie Mac]

Thank you for your advice! I started with the massage last night (also did a bit while I was feeding my baby) and ran hot water over the breast while expressing this morning. I've also tried to give her the plugged duct breast before the non-plugged side, as I read that working the milk through via feeding and/or pumping is a good idea. However, it's pretty painful after a while...do you know how often I should be doing this?

[pbjmama]

I would be working it before and during every feeding as well as intermittent during the day. In my experience it is normal for the breast to feel bruised for a couple of days after the plug has passed too.