Sore Breast- - Saint Augustine,FL

When I had mastitis, the pain in my breast was excruciating, I got a fever of almost 103 degrees, and my whole body ached. I felt so bad, I thought I wanted to die. Keep doing whatever the advice is on clogged ducts, and hopefully it won't lead to mastitis! Good luck!!!

I had clogged ducts and man they hurt. Along with hot, hot showers, compresses and massage, what really helped was to lay my baby on her back and lean over her on all fours and have her nurse like that. I felt pretty goofy, but it really helps. Do it from different angles, and make sure at least one of them had your baby's chin pointing towards the clogged duct. Like another post said, seek out your local La Leche League. I did and found them to be sooooooo helpful with stuff like this. And you don't ahve to wait for meetings, you can usually call the leaders for help. Keep is up, you are doing great!! It will only last a littel while and the gift your are giving your child will last a lifetime. I know that sounds corny, but it is so true!

Ask your Doctor, or search online for your local "LaLeche League"
You'll find a lot of useful information and support.

Mastitis is usually accompanied by fever and other 'under the weather' symptoms. And I think the breast gets red. Also, the pain is probably worse than what you have. That being said, towards the end of my breastfeeding time with my daughter, I got blocked ducts often. It was very painful and so annoying. One of my books said to put pressure on the block when you have a let down to try to release it. This worked sometimes. Mine always got some significant relief after 2-4 days, but it would be sore for a while. Be sure that you aren't wearing bras or shirts are too constricting. Beware of your arm in driving and your seatbelt putting too much prolonged pressure on your breast. Sometimes even sleeping in one place too long for me would cause it. The other thing that I've read is that you need to be sure that you are emptying the breast completely. And if you still feel a little lost with it all, don't hesitate to contact a local breastfeeding center. We lived in Texas when I was breastfeeding my daugther, but the main hospital branches had breastfeeding support centers that would go through your insurance. Plus, many lactation consultants file insurance as well, so the cost could be quite minimal. BTW, thrush will probably make your nipple hurt more than your breast. Good luck and don't give up!

I would say if it's getting better it is probably not mastitis. I haven't gotten it, but from what I've heard you will start to feel like you are getting sick with the flu and eventually your breast(s) will turn red & hot. Definitely keep nursing and try massaging your breast while baby is feeding, also try changing the position of the baby so you know you are emptying all of the ducts. I don't think it sounds like thrush either...does your baby have any whiteness inside her mouth? That would indicate she has thrush and you will just pass it back and forth between you two. I think I had thrush with my daughter and I stopped eating sugar (thrush is yeast and yeast loves sugar!) and started taking probiotics from the health food store. You can also break open one of the capsules and put a little in your daughter's mouth...this is what my midwife told me to do, not something I made up! Best of luck! Just keep nursing!!!

I had clogged ducts but never mastitis, so I can't be sure, but it sounds like my clogged duct. I think mastitis is supposed to feel much much worse.

I did the hot compresses and showers also, and like the other poster said, applying them while nursing helps too. But the best thing I tried was something a lactation consultan told me. If you get a clogged duct, try nursing the baby with their CHIN pointing directly at the duct. So, say it is in your armpit area, use the football hold so their chin is as close to it as possible. Mine was in the upper part, near my neck. I literally laid down in bed and nursed my son upside down. I immediately felt relief and only had to do that a couple times once I found out about it. Give it try- hope it helps!

This happened to me as well (I am still currently breastfeeding my 8 month old). I ended up consultanting the Le Leche League and they have some GREAT advice. Keep nursing/pumping!! It will hurt for a couple days FOR SURE, but dont give up. The other advice you have gotten is good too. Massage the breast TOWARD the nipple, and warm compresses work great too. If you delvelop a fever or flu like symptons see upir ob/gyn cause it could be mastisis.

When it comes to your breasts, I'd highly recommend not waiting to call your OB/GYN to see what they recommend.

I had what was initially diagnosed as mastitis. They brought me in immediately, gave me a thorough exam, sent me for an ultrasound, etc. They did the same thing a few weeks later when I wasn't better. It ended-up being something serious but not related to my breasts.

Chances are, it is just mastitis or a blocked duct, but none of us can make that diagnosis, and my experiences are that your doctor would rather see you and be sure than have you diagnose/treat yourself with breast related issues.

Good luck!

Keep doing what you are doing and massage massage massage! My hubby didn't mind helping me out with the massages lol I believe Mastitis comes with a fever and you feel really sick. Good Luck!

Well, it sounds like a clogged duct- usually you can see the clogged duct- but not always. For my last baby I fed, I would get clogged ducts frequently. If that is what's going on, it could take a couple more days to get better. I did the warm compresses before and DURING feeding... it took a few tries.

I'd say it isn't mastitis because this only started a coupe days ago. Stuff like this could LEAD to it, but I've never heard of a person just getting it immediately.

Do you pump at all? Pumping can cause different breast infections. More than likely it's a blocked duct and they hurt and turn your breast red. Doctor told me to drink a glass of wine and take a hot shower and let the water run over my breast in the shower for several minutes and then to try pumping while they were hot. If that doesn't work I would see a doctor about it.

I had it too, I think it's pretty common. Keep doing what you're doing but do NOT stop breast feeding. I found the more I nursed on that side, even tho very painful eventually got through it.
Those times reminded me why I don't drink dairy from any species, ie cows. They have mass milking and suffer greatly because humans want to consume THEIR milk intended for THEIR babies not for us.
Peace,
R.