Have any of you had this? I never had any of these types of issues when I bf'ed Rebecca, so I'm not sure that's what this is, but the top of one of my boobs is sore and I have a sore throat and my nose is stuffy. I'm wondering if it's all related and it's the beginning of mastitis or if it's just a coincidence. I don't see any red marks nor do I feel a lump, but it seems so bizarre to me to be sore there...Any thoughts?

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Andy

I had a bad case of thrush that turned into mastitis with my first daughter. I was in so much pain from the thrush, that I kinda missed the sore boob symptom. I did feel like I was getting the flu--achy muscles and all that. If the throat and icky feeling continue and you don't see an improvement in the soreness, I would get it checked out by a doc.

I hope you feel better soon!

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Shannon, mom to Sydney '01, Jade '04 and Lucas '07
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Andy I had a blocked duct and I couldn't feel any lumps until it got really bad. I ended up with a milk blister on my nipple which healed over and had to be teased at by a needle several times to clear it before it finally healed.

The lactation consultant gave me this advice as well:

Try some heat and massage on the sore bit. When you're feeding, press down on your breast with the palm of your hand to put pressure on the ducts. If you do feel a lump, get your fingers and push from behind it towards the nipple to help Tyler suck out the blockage. Try a different feeding position. I fed Lydia lying down with her legs up by my head so her chin was in the direction of the blockage. Looked really silly but it was just for a few feeds (and she didn't care!)

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here's the advice i got from my midwife for treating plugged ducts and/or mastitis. hope you feel better soon!


Rest!

Wish Garden Mastitis Remedy 80 drops every 2 hours

Rest!

Wish Garden Mastitis Poultice 5 minutes 4 times a day

Rest!

Echinacea Tea 2 cups a day

Rest!

3000mg Vitamin C per day (Emergen-C packets are easily processed by our bodies)

Rest!

…and of course continue to nurse the baby paying special attention to a proper latch and complete drainage of each breast. Some gentle massage in a motion toward the nipple can be helpful if there are plugged ducts, this can be done with the warmth of the poultice or in a warm bath or shower.

Most often Mastitis is brought on by too much activity by the mother. Either too much physical activity (which is really anything that is out of bed), or too much activity around the new baby (whether outside visitors or even immediate family).

Continue with Mastitis Remedy for two doses past the symptoms resolving; continue immune support for one full day past the symptoms resolving.

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With Nolan I had several blocked ducts. As soon as it would go away I would get another in the other breast. This lasted the first couple of weeks for me. I did what Penny said, nurse the baby upside down basically. After each feeding it felt great. I did light massage on it when I nursed (yes it hurt like it was bruised) and then I would shower what warm water and massage my breasts. Mine cleared up within 24- 36 hours. It does hurt, but get rid of pretty easy.

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Well, I guess the to much activity was what caused mine. Three kids or even two...who has time to rest huh?

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Thanks girls! Rest, huh? I wish!

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Andy

Great info, Amy! *writing it all down*

A- I usually stand in a hot hot shower & massage the area & almost like a pimple I can see it "pop" & a stream of milk will squirt out.
Rest, too, is always good but is it realistic??

GL!

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