Extended BF - breast soreness?

[Septie]

I am in my late 30's, still breastfeeding my 22 months old - a lot (probably around half his calories!). Recently, I've have some breast soreness (slight burning, stabbing? Typically fairly short-lived, but repeated over the next few days. I wouldn't call it true pain...). My period (a bit irregular still) should come any day now, so it might also be PMS related (I had an episode of this soreness a few weeks ago, but didn't keep track of the time of month). If my LO were younger, I'd think it's milk coming in (the soreness is on the side he feeds the most out of). But surely that should no longer be a factor? I do have a lot of milk still, however - whenever I press, lots is coming out...Anybody here experience this?

Thanks a bunch!

 

[Feline]

No advice but I just wanted to say it's fab that you've breastfed your babe for so long! X

 

[Lownthwaite]

I am in my late 30's, still breastfeeding my 22 months old - a lot (probably around half his calories!). Recently, I've have some breast soreness (slight burning, stabbing? Typically fairly short-lived, but repeated over the next few days. I wouldn't call it true pain...). My period (a bit irregular still) should come any day now, so it might also be PMS related (I had an episode of this soreness a few weeks ago, but didn't keep track of the time of month). If my LO were younger, I'd think it's milk coming in (the soreness is on the side he feeds the most out of). But surely that should no longer be a factor? I do have a lot of milk still, however - whenever I press, lots is coming out...Anybody here experience this?

Thanks a bunch!

Is the pain in both breasts or just one?

 

[Septie]

Just one (I really wouldn't call it pain, though) - coincidentally the one that the toddler tends to drink more out of (could it still be letdown feelings this late in the process? It happens at pretty random times of the day, though)...

 

[Lownthwaite]

Just one (I really wouldn't call it pain, though) - coincidentally the one that the toddler tends to drink more out of (could it still be letdown feelings this late in the process? It happens at pretty random times of the day, though)...

If this feeling is just in one breast then I doubt it's PMS related.

Have you or baby been on antibiotics recently?
Any lumps or bumps in the breast tissue?
Pain in the nipple?
Is there a sharp short shooting pain upon feeding then a bruised feeling after then ok?

Sorry for all the questions - it's kind of a process of elimination

 

[Septie]

No to all of the above, as far as I can tell. The pain is at random times (once in the middle of the night tonight, 4 short "stabbings" on that same side, then gone; I had last fed a lot 3 hrs prior to this).
Edited to add: He often does end up eating again around that time of night...

 

[Leids]

I don't know if this is related, but I thought I'd just give you some insight on an issue that I've had since about 6 months pp that sounds very similar but is persistent.

I had a lot of sharp shooting pains, chest pain, breast soreness, etc. in November. It almost felt like there was a pinched nerve in my breast that would come and go. I was worried it was related to my heart, so ran to the doctor. I got an EKG done and they did blood work, found that I had issues with my thyroid. However, as glad as I am that they found I had thyroid problems, it wasn't related to the breast pain.

So onto my OB.. who felt cysts in my breast. They couldn't find them on ultrasound, but they did find that there was inflammation caused by the way my milk ducts were in my breast. Basically, I'll always have pain/inflammation in my breast as long as I'm breastfeeding. It's only in my left breast, but it sucks. It gets better then gets worse.

Sadly anti-inflammatory meds don't really help, but they did suggest I take ibuprofen. If it continues I'd definitely talk to your OB or midwife, it may be something simple or it could be a clogged duct forming/possible mastitis.

 

[Lownthwaite]

I used to get a similar thing that you're describing when a blocked duct was clearing during feeding. Like a sharp shooting pain as the blockage was released, if that makes sense? How is LO's latch? Is he teething?

The PP has mentioned something interesting though - worth maybe seeing your doctor to see if they have any ideas.

I hope you get to the bottom of it soon. Will keep thinking though and will let you know if I come up with any more possibilities.

 

[Septie]

Thanks! My AF arrived last night...I also talked to my mom, who remembered that I mentioned short pulling sensations in one breast about a month or so ago, so I am really hoping it's just a combination of BF on that side, combined with hightened PMS sensitivity. Will keep track if it reduces/disappears after AF. I tend to think of the worst possible scenarios, so I really appreciate others' experiences!