Ouch! My breasts hurt.

[whome]

Hello

Just wondering if anyone can shed some light for me.  I am currently BF my 5 week old.  I am experiencing pain in my breasts (not the nipple but the breast itself).  They feel a little lumpy, I am massaging them while I am feeding to try and work out the lumps, but toward the end of the feed they are both aching.  Most feeds are single sided but both breasts ache at the end of the feed.  They continue aching after the feed, then become lumpy again and then it starts over when we feed.

Not sure if it's related but I also have a headache I can't seem to shake, and dd is fussier than usual and is feeding more frequently....

Have an appointment at the clinic tomorrow so can check it out but in the meantime, any insight very much appreciated!
Thanks

[Samuel's mum]

It's possible you are describing ducts getting blocked and possibly the onset of mastitis. Let's hope not. It's hard to say. Do you notice any redness or red lines on your breasts?

Have a read through of this (and welcome to the boards):
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mom/mastitis.html

Around 6 weeks (can be 5 weeks) there is often a big growth spurt so the fussiness and more frequent feeding could be related to this and coincidental. The headaches may be dehydration if she is drinking more. Are you drinking plenty?

Use a warm compress before you feed as it helps you massage out lumps. And perhaps pump after a feed and do more massage if they really aren't shifting.

Hope you get some relief and problems go or at least you get good support at the clinic.

[Diana1981]

I went through the same. When ds was 7 weeks or so, after everytime i bf my breasts would start hurting sooooo much. It felt like needles going in and out.    Went to the Dr and he told to do this:  before every feed pour warm water on breasts for few minutes, and after bf he said I had to express the remaining milk of each side. I did this for a while and it really helped.   hope this helps you.

[whome]

Thanks ladies.  I was worried about mastitis which is why I posted.  I don't see any redness so don't think it's blocked ducts (not that I'm any expert  ).  I actually did express off any remaining milk after last nights feed (all of 20mls, 10 from each side lol!) and I feel slight improvement this morning.  I will try the warm compress as well and continue the massaging, and will check it out when I go to the clinic this morning.

And no, I probably am not drinking enough water, I'm terrible for that.  Will try to do better.  She did an amazing 7.5 hr sleep stretch last night, and I was asleep for 5 of them, so I'm feeling better this morning for the rest.

Thanks for being there!

[Diana1981]

glad to hear that!