Pain/tenderness on the side of my breast

[bluedaisy]

I am currently tandem nursing my 3 1/2 year old (at night and morning only) and my 6 month old.  This morning I woke up feeling some pain in my right breast which I thought was engorgement (my 6 month old, who nurses several times at night, sleeps on the other side of me so it's not uncommon for me to wake up with the right side a little engorged.)  However, the pain has remained all day.  It is only on the outside of my breast (from just outside the nipple over to the rib cage) and it is tender when I press on it.  I don't feel any pain unless I am touching it,

I've never had anything like this before - any idea what it could be?

[Peggy O'Mara]

Sounds like a plugged duct. Nurse a lot on that breast and in general. Drink plenty of water; take Vitamin C. Express milk from that breast in the shower if that works. You want to keep the milk in that breast moving as much as possible. Rest!! Pretend you're sick and let the kids nurse a lot. A plugged duct can be from pressure on the breast, maybe sleeping on it or a bra or baby carrier that's too tight as well as other things. 

These are suggestions from my own experience. 

Call your local La Leche League Leader for suggestions.

Here's a resource from KellyMom on plugged ducts.

Good luck and I hope you feel better.

[bluedaisy]

Thank you so much for your reply!  I was able to rest and nurse a lot on that side and the pain/tenderness went away in a day.  Thanks again :)

[Peggy O'Mara]

Oh, I'm so glad. Good to know you're doing better.