What is wrong with my boob?!

[xxxLeoxxx]

Hi

I have EBF my 12 week old DS from birth and have never had any issues (except the usual nipple problems at the start!).

Around midday yesterday I noticed a plum sized swelling/lump in my right boob. I assumed DS just hadn't drained it properly but later in the day it'd gotten bigger and more tender.

This morning it seemed to have settled a little but by this evening the lump is about the size of an apple and rock hard. It's very tender but not quite painful.

What is this?! I thought maybe just a blocked duct but I've been feeding DS on it loads to try and unplug it yet it's just getting worse!!

Any thoughts welcome!!! :-/

 

[missk1989]

Could be a bit of mastistis or a blocked duct as you said. I would keep feeding on that side, switching to the other side only to avoid engorgement and if it hasnt gone down by tomorrow night or you start to feel feverish then see a doctor. Mastitis is easily treated but can result in hospitalisation if it is serious enough. Some of the symptoms are hot flashes, sore breast, lump, and temperature.

 

[Super G]

What happens if you massage it down towards the nipple - in the bath or shower?
Does it reduce once baby has fed on that side?
Sounds like a blocked duct or beginning of mastitis. Look at kellymom advice on telling difference between that & mastitis.
In either case you're doing right thing by draining the breast. Try different positions, especially with babies chin over the hard bit. If difficult can also try dangle feeding.

 

[Abz1982]

I had this and did the whole warm cloths and massaging when baby was feeding and that helped drain it. He wasnt getting it all at a feed so I waited a bit and then did an express, then fed him, then an express and then fed him till that boob was basically drained.

 

[ChimChims]

Wet heat is key. In the shower, if at all possible, with warm wet cloths if not. I had the same thing a couple of times this spring that ended up being a combo of a bleb and blocked duct. The bleb I could handle, but the blocked duct and following swollen/hard spot was very uncomfortable. Like the pp's said - lots of nursing. Hope it resolves soon for you!

 

[Care76]

Yep sounds like a blocked duct. I just had one and the hot shower didn't work for me (with massage). I ended up having to pump after baby nursed but I sat on my hands and knees and pumped so my breast was pointing towards the floor. I tried to get baby to nurse that way but he just rolled over and crawled. I applied heat to it just before and massaged during pumping.

 

[ChimChims]

It is embarrassing, but when pumping, nursing, and shower massage/expressing didn't work, two of the times I had my husband nurse it out.

 

[xxxLeoxxx]

Thanks for all your advice!!

I tried the shower thing then fed DS on the affected side all night but the lump had got even bigger this morning. So I pumped this morning and 6.5oz later my breast finally seems to be empty and back to normal.

Thanks again x

 

[ChimChims]

Always amazing how much effort it takes to loosen a plug. The wet heat is supposed to be frequent in order to work, but who has that kind of time to take that many showers? The last time I finally just wore a wet cloth and a hot water bottle in my bra and massaged all day. lol Glad you've got some relief!

 

[Benim]

My doctor told me to have a hot shower and if I swollen I can take Advil to help. Try to pump it out. Hope you feel better.