Very sore, hot breast while breastfeeding??

Question

I have been breastfeeding my son for just over 4 wks now. I have had no issues thus far, he nurses and then I pump afterwards though he is very efficient. I all of a sudden today noticed my one side is very sore, almost like being engorged and it's very hot to the touch. I have been keeping an ice pack on it and i've felt for any lumps (plugged duct was my first suspicion) but I feel no lumps?? It isn't like it's "full" since baby just nursed and I pumped.

Any thoughts or suggestions, anything would be appreciated thanks so much!

Answer 1

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mom/...

you can get a plugged duct or mastitis at any time during nursing, not just in the beginning.

Answer 2

Have you checked for a fever? I had mastitis ( sp? ) with my daughter when I was breastfeeding and it was engorged, started out very sore and then hurt incredibly bad.  It happens when you don't empty your b*****s completely, or one side does not empty completely.  If it is that, a doctors appointment is needed for antibiotics.  

Answer 3

you could have mastitis here is some info for you

    * Before breastfeeding your baby, place a warm, wet washcloth over the affected breast for about 15 minutes. Try this at least 3 times a day. This increases milk flow in the breast. Massaging the affected breast may also increase milk flow.

    * If possible, continue breast-feeding on both sides. Ideally, start on the affected side; it's critical that you empty this breast thoroughly. If this breast is too painful to start with, try feeding from the healthy breast first. Then, after your milk is flowing, breast-feed from the affected breast until it feels soft. Switch back to the healthy breast and breast-feed until your baby has finished.

    * Pump or express milk from the affected breast if pain prevents you from breast-feeding. Nipple pain can be caused by the baby latching on to sore nipples.

Answer 4

Infection -possibly bacterial or possibly yeast, could be viral but I believe that is less common.

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mom/...

MASTITIS   Per Maureen Minchin (Breastfeeding Matters, Chapter 6), mastitis is an inflammation of the breast that can be caused by obstruction, infection and/or allergy. The incidence of postpartum mastitis in Western women is 20%; mastitis is not nearly so common in countries where breastfeeding is the norm and frequent breastfeeding is typical. Mastitis is most common in the first 2-3 weeks, but can occur at any stage of lactation. Mastitis may come on abruptly, and usually affects only one breast.

Local symptoms Local symptoms are the same as for a plugged duct, but the pain/heat/swelling is usually more intense. There may be red streaks extending outward from the affected area.

Systemic symptoms Typical mastitis symptoms include a fever of 101.3°F (38.5°C) or greater, chills, flu-like aching, malaise and systemic illness.

PLUGGED DUCT   A plugged (or blocked) duct is an area of the breast where milk flow is obstructed. The nipple pore may be blocked (see Milk Blister), or the obstruction may be further back in the ductal system. A plugged duct usually comes on gradually and affects only one breast.

Local symptoms Mom will usually notice a hard lump or wedge-shaped area of engorgement in the vicinity of the plug that may feel tender, hot, swollen or look reddened. Occasionally mom will only notice localized tenderness or pain, without an obvious lump or area of engorgement. The location of the plug may shift.

A plugged duct will typically feel more painful before a feeding and less tender afterward, and the plugged area will usually feel less lumpy or smaller after nursing. Nursing on the affected side may be painful, particularly at letdown.

Systemic symptoms There are usually no systemic symptoms for a plugged duct, but a low fever (less than 101.3°F / 38.5°C) may be present.

Answer 5

Get to a doctor - could be mastisis (milk duct infection) and that can be dangerous.  In the meantime, make sure you continue to nurse from that breast, even though it hurts.  Hope it is no big deal, but better to be safe... Good luck!

Answer 6

You have mastitis..You need a hot shower, express some milk, and if you start running a fever and feeling flu like, call the doc and get the anitbiotics.  

Answer 7

Could it be mastitis?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mastitis

Answer 8

hand express some milk out and massage around the breast. most likely you are engorged it will go away. buy some cabbage and take the leaves and place them on your breast. something about cabbage that helps relief the pain.

heat also works.

i read this in what to expect and did it myself.

Answer 9

Ouch sounds like you have mastitis...I've been breastfeeding my daughter for 14 months now and have had it 3 times...its not fun...

mastitis can be a clogged milk duct, milk duct infection or both...sounds like you just have the infection and most of these answers are for the clogged duct...

basically the bacteria in your babies mouth got into your milk duct when he was nursing and now its infected...have him nurse off of that side as much as possible...its the best way to get the infection out...if it is too painful start with the other breast, but try to as much as possible...i know it hurts i would cry while my daughter nursed off of it but mine were always clogged and infected...

it can take a while for it to go away...i would definitely go to the doctor to get some meds for it...it isnt blocked now but mastitis can lead to a ruptured milk duct if it does clog and that is pretty serious...the doc will probably perscribe you cloxacillin or apoxacillin (they are strains of penicillin)

good luck!

Answer 10

It sounds like the onset of mastitis, which is caused normally by a clogged milk duct or the b*****s being full for long periods (like when you wean your baby).  I had it once when I was breastfeeding.  The mos help for me was by using that breast as often as possible.  "Using" that breast will help get rid of the infection.  

    

Heres some info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mastitis