[Kama82]

My daughter is nearly 8 months old and despite getting off to a difficult start things have been going very well the last few months. Suddenly yesterday I noticed that my left breast seemed swollen and whenever I touched it or tried to latch her on to it it was extremely tender. As the day went on the swelling got worse and it has continued to get more swollen and tender since yesterday.
I figured it might be a blocked duct but I dont have a milk blister or anything like the last time this happened. My entire breast is very swollen unlike last time as well. I have been nursing her on that side every time and even offering that breast to her when shes not "asking" to nurse because it hurts so much worse when it gets even a little full. I have tried massaging it but all that does is make it hurt. I do have a pump but even if I pump when I am "full up" I have a hard time getting much for a pump.
I also am just starting to feel yucky, achy/gross, tired sore ect like fluish.

:
I am trying to get lots of rest and fluids but you all know how that is with an adventerous 8 month old around.
Does this just sound like a blocked duct to you guys? It is painful enough that I would go to the dr if I had health insurance but I dont and we dont have any money at all either so the dr isnt going to happen.
Thanks in advance for your time.

 

[schatz]

sounds like mastitis. I had that without any other overt symptoms (no milk blister, couldn't feel a plugged duct) when my ds was maybe 11 months or so. I took raw garlic (chop up a clove into small pieces and swallow like pills 4 or 5 times per day) to avoid getting antibiotics (I waged a huge war on yeast with my dd so I really wanted to avoid abx). But, if I had started feeling worse after a day or so or had a red streak like I did when I had mastitis with my dd, I would have gotten abx. Look up kellymom.com for more ideas.

If you do have mastitis from a plugged duct, try soaking in a hot bath and then hand expressing and/or nursing your dd in the tub -- this was the only thing that loosen the plug I had when I had mastitis with my dd.