EBF-What is this shooting pain in my left boob?

ccdcny

LO is one month old this past week and I only BF, no bottle yet. Today I have been getting a shooting pain in one boob and that boob is hot to the touch. It is painful-so random but I keep feeding him on it even though it is painful in the beginning. Any idea what it could be? I am paranoid and think thrush? Who knows..

vagirl06

I had pain and it turned out to be thrush.  Does little one have any white patches in the mouth?  Are your nipples red and tender, much like when you first started breastfeeding?  Those were my symptoms with thrush.

ccdcny

I have noticed that he has white on his tongue, yes, nipple is red and tender but only on left side. agghhh-how did you treat this? going to his 1 month dr appt tomorrow so i should ask. does this affect the milk he is getting from that side? should i not use that boob?

Thanks! 

ballerina06

Do you have a plugged duct?  It could also be mastitis.  The hot to the touch and redness was a tip off for me along with the incredible amount of pain.  I would give your OB a call and talk to them about it and maybe get in.  I just got over mastitis, and it was not fun at all.

Knitty

It sounds like a plugged duct. You need to move quickly to unplug it before you get mastitis.

How do I know if I have a plugged duct or mastitis?

PLUGGED DUCT	A plugged (or blocked) duct is an area of the breast where milk flow is obstructed. The nipple pore may be blocked (see Milk Blister), or the obstruction may be further back in the ductal system. A plugged duct usually comes on gradually and affects only one breast.
Local symptoms	Mom will usually notice a hard lump or wedge-shaped area of engorgement in the vicinity of the plug that may feel tender, hot, swollen or look reddened. Occasionally mom will only notice localized tenderness or pain, without an obvious lump or area of engorgement. The location of the plug may shift. A plugged duct will typically feel more painful before a feeding and less tender afterward, and the plugged area will usually feel less lumpy or smaller after nursing. Nursing on the affected side may be painful, particularly at letdown.
Systemic symptoms	There are usually no systemic symptoms for a plugged duct, but a low fever (less than 101.3?F / 38.5?C) may be present.

 

MASTITIS	Per Maureen Minchin (Breastfeeding Matters, Chapter 6), mastitis is an inflammation of the breast that can be caused by obstruction, infection and/or allergy. The incidence of postpartum mastitis in Western women is 20%; mastitis is not nearly so common in countries where breastfeeding is the norm and frequent breastfeeding is typical. Mastitis is most common in the first 2-3 weeks, but can occur at any stage of lactation. Mastitis may come on abruptly, and usually affects only one breast.
Local symptoms	Local symptoms are the same as for a plugged duct, but the pain/heat/swelling is usually more intense. There may be red streaks extending outward from the affected area.
Systemic symptoms	Typical mastitis symptoms include a fever of 101.3?F (38.5?C) or greater, chills, flu-like aching, malaise and systemic illness.

INstructions on what to do are here:

https://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mom/mastitis.html

You want heat, massage and lots and lots of nursing. If you start getting a fever or feeling awful, get straight to the doctor for antibiotics.