Breastfeeding Hurts 4 Months Later?

The first thing I thought of was a yeast infection, aka thrush. However, it certainly could be mastitis as well.

I wanted to second the pp who recommended www.kellymom.com for good info! You should easily be able to clear up whatever the problem is WITHOUT antibiotics, if the problem is one of the above. In fact, antibiotics can contribute to yeast infections!

I'd recommend staying away from an MD, unless you know that they are breastfeeding-friendly. Unfortunately, MDs aren't trained to recognize the myriad of benefits that breastfeeding offers both mama and baby.

Most importantly, KUDOS to you for breastfeeding! Don't give up!!

You probably have mastitis and you should either see a lactation consultant or a doctor right away. The longer you wait the more you risk having to stop breastfeeding. Get treatment right away and you should be fine in like 3 days

I would talk to a lactation consultant IMMEDIATELY. Call an LC or La Leche League or similar. It could be a clogged milk duct (I've had that a couple times) but if left untreated you could develop mastitis.

hello

i am no doc but it sound like you could have mastitus (i believe that is what they call it) i would go and see the doc. i believe that mastitus is where the milk ducts get clogged. and when you have some thing pulling on a large clog that could hurt.

try taking a warm shower and let the water run over the painfull area.

hope this helps

Sounds like mastitis. With my first baby I had normal pain and chapping, but bearable, during the first couple of months. Then I devloped almost unbearable pain in one breast. I went to the doctor and she prescribed an antibiotic and the pain went right away. I never had any further problems ahd have been able to breastfeed comfortably for several years since. With my second baby, I started to have the same symptoms, but it went away quickly on its own before I had to go the doctor. Is your breast extra warm with some redness? That's what I had. Don't suffer, just get the antibiotics and be better, so you can keep nursing your baby.

Hi A.,

GOOD for you for breastfeeding, its such a great thing for babe and you too :)

No, it really shouldn't be hurting at this point. Could be an infection in your breast or even a yeast infection on your nipples. Best to see your midwife or doc to get a diagnosis at least. There are some amazing midwives at Depaul in Norfolk, ###-###-####, they answer questions over the phone. There are lots of natural things to try once you know what you are dealing with for sure. Good info can be found at: www.mothering.com, www.llli.org, www.kellymom.com.
Good luck!
S.

Since it's only one breast, I would see your doctor about possible mastitis. Belive me, you need to have it looked at. I had mastitis that I ignored once not knowing what it was and thinking that it was just something that would pass, and I ended up with a breast abcess. Not pretty, and very agonizing.

Go see your doctor.

You should probably contact La Leche League. You can check the latch and then talk to LLL or a good lactation consultant about the signs of a breast infection in which case you would want to go to the doctor. You do not have to stop breastfeeding with an infection in fact continuing can help to clear it up faster and does not bother the baby.

Could be mastitis or even a thrush infection at the nipple. Does the baby have anything that looks like thrush in their mouth. (white stuff that is not easily wiped off?). Keep breast feeding on that breast though. are you having fevers or chills? Call your doctor or even if you have a well baby visit coming up soon you could ask them. alot of pediatricians offices have lactation consultants there too and you'll just be charged an office copay but either way i would contact a medical practitioner if it hasn't gotten any better over the next 24hrs

It should not hurt now! Could you possibly have a breast infection? If it turns red and you run a fever that would be signs of infection. Is your nipple chapped? Try putting a warm wet washcloth on your breast just before nursing. AF

Seen this before as the baby gets stronger.
I would say, go back to washing after every nursing staying away from oil bases ointments and if you suffer with yeast in your body, you might want to use plain yogurt on your nipples. AIr out too!
If your ducts are blocked try a extra warm shower or soaking in the sink to see if it will unblock.

Sounds like a nice home you have!

You may have thrush. You could have a plugged duct. How long has this been going on? Contact your lactation consultant where you delivered, or your local La Leche League. Online sites like this aren't the best with information on breastfeeding. You can email me if you'd like, I'm a LLL leader.

i would definitely call your OB or lactation consultant. it could be mastitis. in the meantime, try to feel for a blockage, and if you find one use warm washclothes and shower to try to melt it.

I would talk to your doctor and/or a lactation consultant. I agree that it could be mastitis.

It sounds like you have a blocked duct or mastitis.you definatly need to go see your MD because brestfeeding should not hurt this late in the game especialy since you had been feeling fine with it all this time.All you will need is a simple antibiotic to clear up the situation and you will feel right as rain again!!!

Just to share with you my experience...I had non-stop pain nursing my first one. I even had to run to the doctor because of the sharp shooting pain, that made me cry. I talked to Moms, doctors, and read all that I could to do it the right way. The nursing pain just never went away. Finally after 4 months, I gave up. Nursing my second and third babies was surprisingly different. I didn't do anything different, but it was not painful.