Complete newbie - is this start of mastitis?

[ItsAlwaysBetterOnHoliday]

Hi - very new to breastfeeding (and everything!) as DS is only 8 days old!

Feeding is mostly going really well, I went to a workshop on Mon which helped with any latch queries I had as well as some tips on how to deal with the forceful letdown I seem to have which freaks DS out (reclining positions, expressing before latching on etc). He has some trouble latching on in the afternoons when he's tired and grumpy but we're finding ways to calm him down before reattempting which seems to help.

Anyway...

Last night I found a small lump under the skin on my breast at the edge of the areola. It's not red or anything but does throb a bit when I get the letdown feeling - is this the start of mastitis? And what can I do to stop it considering I'm already on antibiotics for an infection in my stitches? The antibiotics are already giving me and DS slight bouts of diarrhoea so I want to finish this course as soon as possible :(

I don't have any flu like symptoms or any of the other signs, just the lump.


I put a hot flannel on it during my shower and massaged it - I'm guessing only other thing is to make sure I feed from that breast regularly (thought I was but maybe I need to up my game). Any ideas would be much appreciated - thanks!

[CityDweller]

It could just be a blocked duct (which can lead to mastitis if you don't clear it). Vigorous massaging under a hot shower - pushing from behind the lump towards the nipple, usually works. Use your knuckles and massage really firmly (it fucking hurts!). Or you can use a wide-toothed comb (which I found really effective at shifting a really stubborn blocked duct). Good info on the [[http://kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mother/mastitis/ kellymom website]

(p.s. congratulations on your baby!)

[CityDweller]

Oops - clickable link to kellymom

[CityDweller]

Meant to add, you can get infant probiotics to help counteract the effect of the antibiotics. And, of course, grown up probiotics for you!

I gave DD the Bio Gaia ones here as they're in drop form and really easy to give (I just used a baby spoon). I took, and continued to take, the ProVen pregnancy probiotics while bf'ing. here. I took acidophilus too (just from Holland and Barrett) as I was paranoid about getting thrush (and that was pretty much the only bf problem we didn't get!)

[ItsAlwaysBetterOnHoliday]

Thank you so much! The hot shower and feed this morning has definitely done some good to move it, I'll continue with the massage and look int

[ItsAlwaysBetterOnHoliday]

Sorry - hazards of mumsnet ting while feeding.

I'll look into getting some probiotics too. Have booked a GP appointment for tomorrow anyway as worried about DS becoming dehydrated in this heat. He seems fine and I'm trying to feed him as much as possible but bit worried about the effects of the diarrhoea on him.

[leedy]

Other things I found good for blocked ducts were lecithin supplements and ibuprofen - gets any swelling down so things unblock more quickly.

[ItsAlwaysBetterOnHoliday]

Cheers, thanks! DS is having a feed fest of a day which although means I'm trapped on the sofa is also helping to clear things.