Itchy/sore boobs? new mom, 2 week old baby

[Rosebelle]

I have a two week old and I am breastfeeding. My boobs get itchy when breastfeeding and after. It is the fleshy/fatty part (not my areola or nipple). I checked my child's mouth and there are no white patches. I don't think it is Thrush but this is my first child and I just don't know. My boobs are very tender, but I believe that is normal for first time breastfeeder after only two weeks. Then again, the right one sort of aches but I also think I may be being a bit of a hypochondriac...

Also, how long until my boobs aren't sensitive? For instance, how long until I can dry off after a shower and not wince from tenderness?

Thanks!

~ Rosebelle

[katelove]

Does your baby have long nails? My breasts get itchy when J's nails need cutting and she kneads/claws at my breast while feeding.

Some people also get a stinging sensation with letdown. My letdown feels like getting water on a new graze.

It is probably not thrush if your nipples are ok but, when I had thrush, J never had any oral symptoms and I believe that this is fairly common so don't rely on that alone as an indication.

Is it your breasts or nipples which are tender when drying yourself? If it's your breasts that will probably settle down once your supply settles. The timeframe varies from person to person but the *majority* of people seem to find that by 6 weeks things are all starting to feel better.

Hope you start to feel better soon. Oh, and you could try ice for the ache. I get aching breasts at night sometime when I lie on my side and my breast is filling/full. I found an ice pack very helpful. Just keep an eye out for lumps and/or hotspots which may indicate mastitis. Do you have a local lactation consultant or LLL councelor who can make sure it isn't anything which needs active treatment?

[PatioGardener]

Originally Posted by Rosebelle

Also, how long until my boobs aren't sensitive? For instance, how long until I can dry off after a shower and not wince from tenderness?

Thanks!

~ Rosebelle

good question. i don't remember when it happened, but we are now 10 wks into this and much less sensitive. hang in there!!

[annettemarie]

Moving out to the main forum, as per the forum guidelines.

[sunnygir1]

For me, those symptoms (the itch and the ache) were thrush. I had it a lot with dd.

Here's what I did and it helped within 1 day to 1 week:
mama and baby take probiotics (acidophilus, bifidus, etc.)
rinse/wipe/spray breasts with a vinegar solution after each feeding (5 parts water 1 part vinegar or weaker if it stings too much)
let breasts air dry as much as possible
limit/cut out sugar and other sweets, refined carbs, yeast, etc. in the diet