Breast Pain After Feedings?

That's not what usually happens, and I would very much suspect either an infection or that your daughter isn't eating long enough for the milk to drop... so then when your milk DOES drop (if I'm remembering it usually takes at least 10-15 minutes of nursing for milk to drop), it backlogs and would then cause clogged ducts. The clogged ducts alone hurt like bejebus, and then on top of it, a single clogged duct can cause an infection.

An infection doesn't have to present with redness (especially if it's a deep rather than surface infection), or even fever if your immune system is suppressed (stress, incidentally, suppresses all of our immune systems). Pain is more than enough to warrant a trip to the doc.

I would make an appt with your obgyn/lactation consultant through the hospital.

1 mom found this helpful

I had the same thing and my lactation specialist told me it was normal and would go away eventually. It did but it wasn't fun while it lasted. Good luck!

Hi -

I had the same experience, preceeding an infection (mastisis). For me, this sort of pain lasted for a few weeks before it got really unbearable - I kept trying to fully empty milk ducts, used warm compresses, etc, until I finally got the telltale redness on my breast, so I ended up taking antibiotics at that point and it all cleared up.

So, if you're emptying your breasts during feedings (try pumping after) and using compresses and it's not getting better, you may have a small infection brewing that could be managed quickly. Call your ob/gyn.

Good luck!

Whoa did that come back in memories! I can still feel that pain. You need to go back to that b.f. specialist or to your doctor (ob/gyn) and get your nipples looked at because you need to get the cracks healed before you get an infection (I had one with each of my boys but not my daughter and cracked nipples with the boys but not my daughter). Be sure you are getting enough rest and make sure your nipples are dry after each feeding. There is lansinol (not sure on the spelling) that you can put on your breasts after feeding or even neosporin. Make sure you change your breast pads as soon as they are wet and not soaking. I've also heard about exposing your nipples to sunlight. Good luck! It's worth it to stick it out...I nursed all three past age two. Until they weaned themselves and would do it again.

I had this but while my son was feeding. I also have a larger chest and my son ate tons! It wasn't an infection and I don't really know what it was but three things helped me:

1. I switched from antipersperant to deodorant-you'll probably have to go to a health food/ natural foods store to find actual deodorant. With changes in hormones the stuff in antipersperant can clog your glands under your arms. I don't know why deodorant doesn't do this but it helped.
2. Apply heat after nursing. Tuck a hot water bottle under your arm pit, I think it relaxed the muscles and let the milk flow better.
3. Drink more water. As a full time nursing mom you should drink about your weight in ounces of water. Yes, I know that's a lot.

If this doesn't help-keep trying to find opinions-if your Dr. or lactation specialist doesn't know then find one who does.
Good Luck.

I would get these shooting pains after I breastfed my son too. And they were so painful they would keep me up at night, they do seem worse at night. I did a search online and found that grapefruit seed extract applied to my nipples seemed to help. I also took the caplet form as an oral supplement, like a vitamin. I hope this helps!

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I had the same pains until I started pumping after each feeding. Try pumping after a feeding. I usually get that tingling and deep pain when I'm full and need to pump. If your little one is just snacking and not draining all of your milk it could be the cause. Good luck and I'm proud of you for continuing through the pain. Hang in there. B

Hi A. --
Have you talked to anyone from LA LECHE LEAGUE?
The breast feeding specialist may have academic credentials but LA LECHE LEAGUE has generations of mother-to-mother experience and wisdom.

It sounds to me like you may have some of your milk ducts blocked and/or inflamed and, even though your child is getting a lot of milk, there is a build-up of unreleased milk causing the hardeness and pain.

La Leche League people can also help with the cracked nipples.

Atta-girl for keeping going despite the pain.
I hope you get some guidance and relief ASAP.

S.

PS -- I'm sure your milk let-down is happening
within very few minutes, NOT 10-15, after baby latches on.

Do have the La Leche League (or other) helper
see how baby is latching on. She may need to take
more of your breast into her mouth.

ALSO . . . . and this helped me a great deal . . . .
DO NOT always have baby approach the breast
from the same direction and angle at every feeding.
Adopt some creative/unusual postures
so that the pressure on your areola
is varied over different feedings.

This may help drain milk ducts
that have not been regularly released/emptied.

Best wishes,

S.

Dear A. I suggest you check for signs of thrush which is a candida infection that affects your nipples and also the baby's mouth. Look inside your baby's mouth if it has white patches he or she probably has it. It is very difficult to get rid off it. Normally doctors prescribe Nistatin creams and gels. I had with my two kids and i had to stop breast feeding directly so I pump myself for 6 months and gave them breast milk on a bottle. With my second baby I used genecian violet and the thrush was cleared in days. Good luck.

Maria

here is what listed under repertory of the homeopathic remedy that seem to fit your symptoms: "Pain in breast opposite to one baby is feeding on, afterward when breasts are empty, breasts ache". the remedy is Borax Veneta.
Good Luck
V.

It will end....I promise. I had this with EACH baby. I figured it would get easier with each baby, but it was about the same. I think it took about 3 months before I started to feel nothing.

Lansinoh cream will save your nipples from cracks. Use it each time after you nurse.

It sounds like you're getting really engorged when your milk lets down. It should ease up, but if it's intolerable, you can always pump after the baby nurses to give yourself some relief.

And this souds obvious, but the more relaxed you are, the easier it will be. Try to take some deep breaths and know that it will pass.

good luck!

I agree with the others. Contact a lactation consultant or your ob/gyn on this one. I nursed my son for 13 months and didn't feel this type of pain.

Great job nursing!

Call the lactation consultant through torrance memorial hospital. I think normally you can call and ask her the question but you might have to go to one of her classes. She knows what that is. I can't remember myself but she thought that was what I had with my second son. She is awesome and really helpful.

Great job bf, keep it up! It's THE BEST gift you can give your child. Buy some Lansinoh gel, it comes in a purple tube at any drug store. That will help the cracking and should eliminate the pain. Also try your local Le Leche League group (find it online) or hospital lactation center, they should check and see if your latch is good....

My sister had something like this and I think it was a contracting of the vessels or something b/c her baby had an incorrect suck. I would try another lactation consultant and suggest this theory. Good luck!

Same thing happened to me, and my mom actually. It was tingly and sometimes itchy, like a deep internal itchy feeling. Very weird! And I had no clogged ducts, infections, anything.(I saw my LC weekly) It went away though, after maybe 6-7 weeks? I don't remember exactly, but it was 'normal' it just doesn't happen to most people.