Boob Ache

[LittleBug'sMum]

Hi. Just wondering if anyone else who is breastfeeding gets aching boobs? :confused: I tend to notice it more at night, directly after a feed the boob that I have fed from (generally my boy only has one at a time) really aches. It was so bad last night that I was having trouble getting back to sleep. I don't think it is nipple pain, feels more like the whole boob.
Anyone else experience this?

[JabberJaw]

Are you sure your not getting a bout of mastitis?

Do you feel crappy? Have a fever? Have any lumps on yr breast? Is your breast hot?

[LittleBug'sMum]

I don't think it is mastitis, no redness, not hot, breasts do get a bit lumpy, only when they're really full, but lumps go away after feed. Not fever and I feel fine. I have been having this ache right from the start I think, just seems to be worse lately. Do have a bit of a rash on one nipple, GP thinks it is thrush, do you think thrush could cause this ache? It is actually the opposite boob to the one with the rash that aches the most....:confused:

[JabberJaw]

Oh yeah, it could be thrush. You can get cream that you aplly to your nipple and also bubs mouth because if you have nipple thrush, bub will no doubt have/get oral thrush.

It is painful, i have had it years ago.

[SB17]

Have you heard of nipple vasospasm? I also was getting a lot of breast pain, intermittently before, during and after feeding. It was quite a sharp radiating pain through the whole breast. I thought it was thrush but Daktarin gel made no difference. To cut a long story short I saw a lactation consultant who reckons 25% of women can have nipple vasospasm, which means not enough blood supply to the (hardworking!) nipple resulting in pain. No miracle cure but keep the breasts warm, use heatpacks etc, and keep hands and feet warm too. Interestingly, the pain which started when my baby was 4 weeks old has seemed to all but disappear at 8-9 weeks.

[LittleBug'sMum]

Thanks SB17 - I think you may be onto something! I have noticed that my nipples sometimes are a bit purple after a feed, that is a sign of vasospasm too, isn't it? They seem to be even more purple if I use the breast pump, so maybe I'll avoid that for a bit. Thanks for the advice :)!
I've been using Daktarin on my nipples, and the rash has cleared up, but not the pain completely, so maybe I have a bit of thrush and vasospasm :confused:
Also, this is weird, but when I get cold and shiver I get a really achy feeling in my boobs, so that must be the keeping them warm thing! Ahh.. it all becomes clear!