Sore and red breast...any ideas?

Glenn1106

My right breast has been very sore today. Earlier it was very engorged so I pumped for 5 minutes or so before nursing LO. After he nursed it was still pretty sore. I noticed that there is a big red blotch on it. I have alternated cold and hot compresses and done massage but it is still sore (though it is better) and still has the red blotch. Ideas?

CCE126

Sounds like mastitis to me although i haven't ever had it.

sadsadie

Yup, sounds like mastitis to me. Make an appt to see your doc, and in the meantime take your LO to bed and try to nurse that baby as often as you can (called the 24 hour cure).

 

Here's a good link:

 https://kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mother/mastitis/

Marthafocker

sadsadie:

Yup, sounds like mastitis to me. Make an appt to see your doc, and in the meantime take your LO to bed and try to nurse that baby as often as you can (called the 24 hour cure).

 

Here's a good link:

 https://kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mother/mastitis/

Yup, you do need antibiotics though! 

redhead0525

Either mastitis or just a clogged duct...this happened to me last week, was so painful. I used warm compresses and showers and followed some instructions i read online that said to pump that breast and to start on that side when breast feeding baby for a day.....i was abt to call my MD when it started to feel better...the next day it was gone so Im guessing it was a clogged duct

tlew12778

Mastitis. Go to the dr now before the flu like symptoms set in and you won't want to drag yourself there.

buffyverrban1

Like PP have said, sounds like mastitis. Feed your LO as often as you can from that side and pump as much as you can. (But LO is stronger and will get the block out better / faster)

If the pain gets any worse you have to see a dr. I let mine go for a couple days and the pain got so bad I couldn't feed DD on that side at all. And even pumping hurt so bad I would cry. I had to go on the strongest antibiotic (because the regular one wasn't helping) and go into the hospital to get some through IV.  I was also given percosets for the pain (which I only took until the antibiotics kicked in.)

If you get to it quickly enough you should be able to fix it no problem, just don't let it go.  

asun123

Mastitis! I just got out of the emergency room last week from it. It can cause you to have flu like symptoms. I had a fever of 104. I'm almost done with the antibiotics I was given. Get to the hospital soon before it gets worse! I was unable to take care of my baby for a few days because of it.

pixieprincss

Ditto that it sounds like mastitis. I avoid antibiotics as much as possible, so I tried to clear mine up naturally, and it worked perfectly and quickly. I stayed in bed with baby and nursed a TON (and slept a ton). I used warm and cold compresses and did the "bag of marbles" breast massage. To help keep the milk flowing strongly, my MW had me drink  loads of water, fennel tea (lactation tea), and take goat's rue (herbal tincture that you can find in health food stores).