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clogged duct or mastitis?

luna62luna62
in Breastfeeding
My baby is 5 days old and so far has been feeding well.  I woke up this morning very full and with a red area on one breast.  It doesn't hurt and I wouldn't have even noticed it if I hadn't looked in the mirror.  I know I'm probably having engorgement right now, but is the redness something that I should be concerned about?  Could it be a clogged duct or mastitis?  Its not painful other than my chest feeling really overly full.  TIA for your help
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Re: clogged duct or mastitis?

  • juniper19juniper19 member

    Mastitis is what happens when the clogged duct gets infected.  So right now it sounds like it might be a clogged duct (does it hurt if you put pressure on it?).  You have mastitis when the discomfort is no longer localized to the breast, and you have flu-like symptoms (chills, achy all over) and a fever.  Once you've reached that point it is time to call the doctor for an anti-biotic.

    You can usually clear a clog before you progress to mastitis.  Kellymom.com has a lot of good suggestions for clearing clogs.  Good luck!  And congratulations on the new baby!

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  • LuckyBride02LuckyBride02
    I had a clogged duct that turned into mastitis and I didn't realize it because I did not have any flu-like symptoms. It got so bad that it turned into an abscess and I had to have an incision and have the infection cut out. Not pleasant! If you have any concern about anything, DO NOT hesitate to call your doctor and have them look at it. Better safe than sorry! I learned this the hard way.
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  • dec05gurldec05gurl

    I just called doc for a similar issue.  DD is 3.5 months and I've never had any problems.  But this morning the engorgement that I feel some mornings (DD is STTN, so it's a long time btw feedings during the night) didn't go away in my L breast.  It hurt in a specific place and has not gone away yet.  I got a fever starting on Fri, that's back today - not sure if they're related, but I called the doc and he's calling in a prescription for an antibiotic in case it's mastitis. 

    Another thing you can do it get in a hot shower and massage your breast.  Hand express and massage the place that hurts.  YOu can unclog a duct that way.  GL!

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