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Infant feeding

Breast pain for the last few days, what should I do?

19 replies

mammyjo · 05/08/2007 11:13

Hi. I would be grateful for any advice you can offer me.

My dd is just over 4 months old and I am breast feeding her. For the last few days I have had a sore area on one side, just above the nipple. Its basically on the areola area. There is no redness and no hard lump that I can feel. I have had a few blocked ducts over the last few months which have always resolved within 24 hours. I am just getting concerned that this is going on for much longer. I know I should probably just go and see my gp, but he is not the best so would be grateful for any thoughts.

Thankyou very much

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VeniVidiVickiQV · 05/08/2007 11:15

um.

I think a trip to the GP is probably required.

I do know that i used to get sore patches when DS's baby teeth started to appear.

Couldnt say for sure that happens every time though.

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mammyjo · 05/08/2007 11:19

Thankyou. Think I will have to brave the gp, he is just so dithery I will probaly come out more frustrated than when I went in! No baby teeth for dd yet so it cant be that.

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mammyjo · 05/08/2007 11:20

probably even

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Coathanger · 05/08/2007 11:31

What's your Health Visitor like? Could you see her? Or failing that do you have a Breastfeeding Support Group in your area?

Have you altered your position recently....that could be increasing the friction in one area. Or it maybe that ass your little one is growing you may need to change her feeding position.

All just ideas I'm afraid. The types of pain I have come across in the past have been either blocked ducts (red, lumpy area), mastitis (as above but with 'flu symptoms) or thrush (pain deep in the breast tissue) and of course the usual poor latch soreness, but I'm sure after 4 months this wouldn't be the case with you

Try your HV if thats an option and even if she can't help she might be able to point you in the direction of a peer supporter or such like.

Good luck....hope it clears up xxxxx

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mammyjo · 05/08/2007 11:38

To be honest my HV is not that great either. Will look into a support group though. I am pretty sure there is one. Have a vague memory of a midwife telling me about it just after dd was born. Hadnt thought of that so thankyou.
I have always fed her in the same position. Me sitting up and her lying across the front of me. Should I try something else? If so can you suggest anything?

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VeniVidiVickiQV · 05/08/2007 11:54


COATHANGER !!!!!

Long time no see!!

How the devil are you?
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Coathanger · 05/08/2007 12:23


Oooooo VVV!!! I'm great!! How are you?? So good to see you again. I don't come on here as much now as I am a busy bee being a student

Mammyjo - Your position sounds fine. Was thinking more that some ladies adopt weird and wonderful positions in the early months then stick to them, but as baby grows the position that was fab in the early days is no longer as effective. But the classis hold is fine
Deffo follow up the BF group though, and you might find some peer group counsellors attached to it xxxx
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VeniVidiVickiQV · 05/08/2007 12:47

I'm good thank you! Getting married in November

How is studying going now?

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cinnamontam · 05/08/2007 18:38

Hey MammyJo - I'm trying to get rid of thrush in my milk ducts at the moment so full of info on that. Is there pain inbetween feeds, just during the initial latch or during the feed as well?

I'd definitely try a different position to see if that helps. I did rugby hold for the first few weeks then with the thrush and constant blocked milk ducts have gone to the classic which has made it less painful. I also attended a breast feeding cafe last week and got more helpful info from that from the other mums and HV running it than from any doctor.

Good luck

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mammyjo · 05/08/2007 19:17

There is pain between feeds. Not so much all the time, but if I touch it or even hold dd on that side it hurts. Its almost like its bruised but there is nothing to see on the outside.
Will definitely look into the BF support groups. I think there may be some sort of feeding counsellor at the hospital so may try to find out how to contact her. Would much rather speak to someone who is actually knowledgeable about breast feeding as I know my gp will not be particularly helpful.
Thankyou cinnamontam!

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octo · 05/08/2007 19:36

Hi Mammyjo - could be thrush by the sounds of it - esp if really hurting - get some canestan first thing tomorrow and rub it into the nipple area - should feel better quickly. If still hurts after 24 hours after that would def go to doctors.

I went to A&E when I got thrush

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mammyjo · 05/08/2007 20:13

Thanks octo. Its weird because there is nothing at all to see, just hurts on the inside. Weird.

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flashfinn · 05/08/2007 20:20

Yes - thats thrush.

Lots of confusion when I got it - they kept telling me I had mastitis and I told them it was thrush - eventually my health visitor intervened and got me some canestan. It hurts when you feed and after a feed - a real deep pain. Mine was absolute agony.

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flashfinn · 05/08/2007 20:20

its octo btw!

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weeonion · 05/08/2007 22:15

mammyjo - poor you. i am not gonna be of much use but i would also suggest thrush?? you can have it without any signs. you can pester the doc for treatments for both you and bubba.

also - what kind of let down do you have?? do you feel the pain during or after a feed? i know that my bf specialist said that my let down couldcause pain after a feed?

sorry to not have been more help. i found the laleche site really useful.

hope you can get more / better help. xoxoooxx

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MarsLady · 05/08/2007 22:30

I see you've been told it's thrush. Go get yourself and the baby treated. It's not nice to have.

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mammyjo · 06/08/2007 11:52

Thanks everyone. Really grateful for your thoughts, have left a message for my local infant feeding specialist so just waiting to hear back from her.

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cinnamontam · 06/08/2007 23:10

Hey Mammyjo - this site and helpline was invaluable to me when self diagnosing myself with thrush and getting the right drugs from the GP (it took some pleading on my behalf).

www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/information/thrush.php

I've been on the Fluconazole for 6 days now and I've noticed an improvement but it's taking time to go. The key thing is to use the Miconazole oral gel on your LO while also treating yourself. I'm also boiling her dummies and giving her a fresh one after each feed and trying to wash bra's, tops etc as often as I can.

It's a tenacious bugger to get rid of so good luck and don't hesitate to CAT me if you have any questions

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mammyjo · 07/08/2007 11:13

Thankyou so much!! Will have a good look at that site now. Have had a chat with the feeding specialist who said it sounds like thrush but need to go to the gp for treatment (unfortunately). Thanks for all your help xx

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