Pain on side of breast- PLEASE HELP!

[organicpapayamama]

So I didnt know where else to post this, and Im not really sure its related to bf, maybe it is. I have been ebf my almost 6 month old with no problems at all. Its perfect. last night however while laying on my right side, the side of my right breast felt sore. Kid of like it hurts when you are really engorged. so that what I thought it was. When I woke up the pain was still there, its not a constant pain, but a sore kind of pain when I touch it, put pressure on it or raise my arm all the way over my head. Its progressively gotten worse today. (it may be because I keep touching it...idk) but at any rate, I called my OB and they said they dont typically see nursing women for breast exams because nursing breasts can be quite lumpy... although I dont feel any lumps. they told me to take tylenol and to put warm compresses although I cant really compress my breast because that hurts. As I was taking a shower tonight I noticed around where the sore spot is (at about 4 o' clock about an inch away from my areola) its warm and a little flushed looking... like pink though nothing really obvious. Does this sound like a nursing issue? maybe its just a cyst coming in, Ive had a few of those in the past. Nursing is going fine on that side, doesnt hurt to nurse and Im even pumping that side between feedings to not let it get engorged. any info is much appreciated.

[la mamita]

that sounds like mastitis to me. those were pretty much my exact symptoms, although i got it much earlier (son was a few weeks old). i started running a fever as well.

[MacKinnon]

Plugged duct or mastitis, me thinks. I take lecithin to help with mine, in addition to warm compresses and pumping between feedings. Try nursing with the babies chin pointing at the plug as well. When I get a plugged duct, I can tell when it starts tipping into mastitis territory quickly as I get a low grade fever, flushed cheeks, flu like feelings. I've had no luck treating mastitis without antibiotics (I do always add probiotics).

[maddymama]

Hi Mama,
Sounds like it is either a bleb (although you didn't mention a white spot on your nipple) or a plugged duct. Warm compresses, lots of nursing, hand expression, lots of rest, lots of liquids would probably help you.
Have you done anything new lately that might have put pressure on one of your breasts? A new baby carrier or a new carry? A new purse strap, backpack strap that hit you funny? Sometimes we develop clogged ducts from an inadvertant trauma....
Good luck in clearing it up!
~maddymama

[organicpapayamama]

thank you for the fast responses! Im glad I asked as I would have never thought it was related to nursing. I have nothing really new that has happened. So I dont know what has caused this. I dont have a fever though. and no spots anywhere on my breast.

[organicpapayamama]

oh and when should this start to get better? days? weeks? When should I consider asking for antibiotics?

[henny penny]

Hi OPMama! I was in your ddc. With my ds I got a plugged duct that was exactly as you described, but even more noticeably red and very sore. It was around 6 months or more, too. Well after I thought I was past those issues.
I let warm water run on it in the shower and massaged it right before nursing and sort of compressed it while nursing, rolling my fingers toward my nipple to try and help things get flowing. It worked for me.

[organicpapayamama]

Originally Posted by henny penny

Hi OPMama! I was in your ddc. With my ds I got a plugged duct that was exactly as you described, but even more noticeably red and very sore. It was around 6 months or more, too. Well after I thought I was past those issues.
I let warm water run on it in the shower and massaged it right before nursing and sort of compressed it while nursing, rolling my fingers toward my nipple to try and help things get flowing. It worked for me.

HEY you! good to "see" you again!!! how long did it take for you to feel better? I imagine it wasnt immediate...

[maddymama]

Most mothers with plugged ducts tend to feel better within 24 to 48 hours after treating with warm compresses, etc. If you start to feel worse, or just not better, consider contacting a LC in your area and see what they say.
Good luck!
~maddymama

[henny penny]

I did the warm shower thing before nursing (like, right before) a couple times in a row and then just massaged while nursing the other times, and felt relief in about 2 days. It was a hard lump that I could feel getting softer. It was a little sore in that area for about a weekafterwards but was otherwise totally normal in terms of skin redness, lumpiness, and feeling warm to the touch. If yours doesn't respond in a day or two, I'd call LLL or a nursing consultant for advice so that you don't develop mastitis.

[Miims]

I've had two plugged ducts and they were just like you descibed. I did like MacKinnon said about having baby's chin lined up with the sore spot. Three minutes of nursing this way immediately relieved the problem. One time I had to lay my DD on the bed and lean over her upside down to get it to line up right. It must have looked really funny. I also did the other things like emptying the breast often and completely, warm shower, massage. I hope it's cleared up for you!

[organicpapayamama]

Thought I would update that I am pain free today. Nursing, pumping, massaging and putting warm compresses cleared it up in a matter of hours. Thank you so much! Xoxoxo