Damn Boob

[Deleted User] · September 2013

Ok, so I know we've had posts on this, but...

My left boob has been in some serious pain for the last 6 hours. It's hard and I can actually feel several large lumps at the top, on the side closest to my inner chest.

It's not red, and there are no red streaks. I also don't feel achy. I've been massaging and laying with a heating pad directly on the sore area, still no relief. What do you think? Clogged duct, beginning of mastitis? I'm concerned.

Kitten80 · September 2013

try nursing extra on that side or pump (i couldn't pump it didn't work and hurt too much) - nursing hurt a lot at first and a little after several sessions. I think fever is the big indicator for mastitis vs duct.

GL!

[Deleted User] · September 2013

Alicia0817 said:

Probably clogged duct(s) but watch carefully because mastitis can come on quickly. Keep up the heat and massage (try in tub or shower) and nurse nurse nurse. Hope you get relief soon!

Thanks! Surprisingly, LO has been sleepy all evening and doesn't want to nurse much, frustrating. I just hope I can get this kicked in the butt before something serious happens

[Deleted User] · September 2013

Kitten80 said:

try nursing extra on that side or pump (i couldn't pump it didn't work and hurt too much) - nursing hurt a lot at first and a little after several sessions. I think fever is the big indicator for mastitis vs duct. GL!

Thanks! So look for fever, good to know...I guess that should've been obvious since it's an infection. I tried to pump and it didn't work either and hurt like a B!

Dani428 · September 2013

Ouch I hope it clears up soon!

RainbowHope · September 2013

I was just dealing with the same thing a few days ago but it resolved very quickly. Apply heat 10 minutes before nursing, then nurse, then apply a cool compress. Also, switch your nursing positions (cradle hold, football hold, laying down, etc.) to make sure your LO empties all the ducts. Good luck.

jegoffin · September 2013

Hop in a hot shower and massage it.

[Deleted User] · September 2013

Thanks girls. I think I'm going to hop in the shower again. I'm terrified of mastitis and thrush. As if nursing isn't already hard enough, we have other issues to worry about

I've had this happen two times before but it's resolved itself pretty quickly and I didn't feel like it was as bad as it is this time. I have a lot going on this weekend, of course.

Stina2012 · September 2013

jegoffin said:
Hop in a hot shower and massage it.

A hot bath actually helped me even more. As hot as I could stand felt awesome!

FancyFrenchie · September 2013

If he won't nurse and pumping hurts, just try hand expressing after your shower and keep trying to get him to nurse.
As others said, watch for fever.

cuterusaurus · September 2013

Everything everyone else said. Last time I literally beat my boob until it went away. I also had heat packs that I would use while nursing. Try side lying with baby's feet toward your head. I used every position I could think of for nursing. Good luck! I'm terrified of mastitis and thrush too.

Altima80 · September 2013

Oh man, isn't it scary when your boobs are capable of getting that hard and lumpy? Yeah, like everyone else said, sounds like a clogged duct. If he will nurse, massage the lumps while he's nursing. I also second the hot shower. (And not sure if this would work but I've heard of using a vibrating tooth brush on the area to help loosen it up...)

kathleen02 · September 2013

Not reading all the responses but I had this a few weeks ago and it sounds like a plugged duct to me as well. Be vigilant using warm compresses, massaging and nursing on that side.
I also want to add that keeping the nipple on that breast soft and not too dry is important at this time. Use the nipple cream(s) and avoid using soap or anything that can dry it out. I ended up getting a nipple bleb or blister because of my plugged duct and let me tell you that is so much more uncomfortable than a plugged duct. Good luck!

Jasmineeelizabeth · September 2013

What everyone else said, especially the shower. My LC said most cases of mastitis/blocked ducts aren't infectious so if you keep at it chances are it'll go away soon.

I worked at my mastitis like it was a full time job (I had a bad fever, chills, aches, ect) and it was gone in 24 hours. I put down a few layers of towels on my bed and just nursed and expressed in bed.

kdthomas21 · September 2013

Take a hot bath and relax. I had mastitis on one side and the symptoms had been there: fever, blotchy spots, etc. When I got it in the other side my Boob just got hard like it was engorged but I had JUST pumped it. I waited awhile then tried pumping again and nothing came out. I took hot shower, massaged, pumped again. Nothing! By morning it was def mastitis, with the blotchy red spots. I went to LC and she confirmed it but said I prob just had a blockage at the beginning but then panicked later on when nothing would come out, Which I did start to panic bc I didn't want mastitis again. She told me, if it happens again to sit in a hot bath and just relax, so that is my advice to you. Take a hot bath and relax, then massage.

Mommy1stTimer · September 2013

I've found that massaging the crap out of the spot in the shower works for me because it feels better in the shower so it is more tolerable to rub harder. Then I do lean over more while nursing & rub while she's eating. Clogged ducts are the worst. Good luck!

[Deleted User] · September 2013

It's gotten a little better but it's still hard and lumpy. I've been massaging it to death and the shower really helped. Thanks for the advice everyone

this totally sucks.

Mrs JillB · September 2013

You've gotten lots of good advice, but I'd wake that baby up and nurse. Point the baby's chin toward the lumps and try dangle nursing with lots of warm compresses and pushing the lumps out. Good luck!

[Deleted User] · September 2013

It's starting to get red now. Cant tell if it's from massaging or what

I would know if it looked infected red and streaky or patchy, right?

PrimRoseMama · September 2013

Sounds like clogged ducts. You want to nix that quickly. Infection can have a very rapid onset. My MW/LC recommended:

Taking a comb then using the handle to rub the spots under the shower directly on the area. Keep the water as hot as you can stand it while you rub. It will not feel nice.

Have LO nurse that side as often as possible. Point their nose at the bumps. Massage the area as you nurse. Same while you pump.

Clogged ducts suck!

PrimRoseMama · September 2013

WARNING: photo!

Asbromle said:
It's starting to get red now. Cant tell if it's from massaging or what I would know if it looked infected red and streaky or patchy, right?

I think so.
Extreme cases look like this:

JellyTwoPointO · September 2013

I agree with the dangle nursing. Sometimes that's the trick for getting that duct unclogged! I agree with nursing as much as possible. Nurse nurse nurse! I'm glad the heat and massaging helped. Keep it up, I hope it unclogs for you soon! Have you checked the LLL website and Kellymom.com for more tips?

summerchild · September 2013

A friend of mine recommended vibration. I put my clarisonic brush side to my boob in the shower and it cleared up really quickly.

valstulas · September 2013

I agree with @Silv3rlinig's suggestions.

It's most likely getting red bc of massage and heat, but keep a close eye on things. Any increased pain, fever, or general malaise, call right away. Prim's pic is a good reference, but that breast had most likely been infected for several days, so don't wait until your breast looks like that.

[Deleted User] · September 2013

PrimRoseMama said:
WARNING: photo!

Asbromle said:
It's starting to get red now. Cant tell if it's from massaging or what I would know if it looked infected red and streaky or patchy, right?
I think so.
Extreme cases look like this:

Sweet goodness! That looks terrible. Thanks for the tip

when I get home I'm going to take another shower.

[Deleted User] · September 2013

PrimRoseMama said:
WARNING: photo!

Asbromle said:
It's starting to get red now. Cant tell if it's from massaging or what I would know if it looked infected red and streaky or patchy, right?
I think so.
Extreme cases look like this:

Sweet goodness! That looks terrible. Thanks for the tip

when I get home I'm going to take another shower.

Jellybean902 said:
I agree with the dangle nursing. Sometimes that's the trick for getting that duct unclogged! I agree with nursing as much as possible. Nurse nurse nurse! I'm glad the heat and massaging helped. Keep it up, I hope it unclogs for you soon! Have you checked the LLL website and Kellymom.com for more tips?

I have...I'm so paranoid that I was up for hours last night researching

RumbleLina · September 2013

I thought my redness was from massaging and heat as well. It did not however go away after I stopped massaging for a while and applying heat and that's how I knew though. It definitely did not look like the pic posted. I deleted my pics otherwise I'd show you(there was no nipplage).

mslmk11 · September 2013

Dccornel said:

I know it hurts but keep going. You will seriously feel relief and it's better than mastitis!!!!! My fever shot up to 104 and fast ... No fun, so remember that when you are massaging yourself through the pain!

[I'll be honest I didn't read through all the comments so you may have resolved this already, but I did see you said it was starting to turn red]

I had a clogged duct for maybe less than 6 hours (could have been longer and I just didn't realize it) and got a fever and felt horrible before a red spot even showed up on my boob, and it was barely a red spot at all. Mastitis totally sucks worse than the massaging (though that sucks too) so as QP said, remember that. But if it's mastitis already, the antibiotics they'll prescribe you should help. I had to use the IB profin I was prescribed upon postpartum discharge just so I could function until the antibiotics kicked in.

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