Help needed - large lump in breast

**erinp** · 12-04-2008 14:55

Wondering if anyone can give me any advice about a large lump I have in my left breast. Although we started solids a week ago (1-2 teaspoons a day is all) I'm pretty sure DD (6mo) has been feeding as usual (as in, still taking the same amoutn of milk), and at her feed this morning I thought "Hmm, that's a bit sore" but once she started feeding it was ok. We went out to the shops for a few hours and while we were out it started hurting but obviously I couldn't go grabbing at it to check it

When I got home I found there was a large lump, about a quarter of my breast (and they're not little either!!) was very hard and quite lumpy

. I put DD on straight away and let her suck until she refused it any more; have just been in the shower for 20 mins massaging it and now have DH massaging it for me while I post

. Is there anything else I can/should do to shift it? I've never had any problems before and am not sure but think it's probably a blocked duct. It hasn't seem to have shifted or gotten smaller and I'm wondering how long I should expect it to be there and if/when I should see a doctor....? Any advice would be much appreciated....

**furkids** · 12-04-2008 20:06

Definitely sounds like a blocked duct. So far you are doing all the right things. Make sure you heat the breast before a feed (warm / hot shower), feed bubs from that side first, you can also ice breast after the feed. Change positions of bubs if possible to direct their chin at lump.

You just need to keep an eye out for the signs of mastitis - red streaking of breast, flu like symptoms.

An interesting fact about blocked ducts is as long as you do all the right things they will generally clear / be reabsorbed within 48 hours.

Contact an ABA counsellor could also be helpful if you need ideas about positions.

**MyFourCubs** · 12-04-2008 22:55

Yuk. I had this about 3 weeks ago. I have loooong history of mastitis and the only thing that I have tried thats seems to work is- taks loong fairly hot baths with breast submerged. Have bub in bath wth you. If she is anything like my dd she will duckdive for your breast with no encouragement.

Try feeding and massaging in the bath. Have dh on hand to take bub so you can stay in and massage. This was the advice the midwives gave me when I rang them after 2nd lot of mastitis with my youngest. It worked then but last lot it didn't. If this doesn't work you will have to go to doctor ASAP as mastitis can set in- fast. Hope all is ok, good luck :-)
Sara

**erinp** · 13-04-2008 12:18

Thanks for the replies. I ended up ringing an ABA counsellor just to check what I was doing and she gave me the same advice. Was quite an adventure kneeling on all fours so bubs could feed upside down

It all cleared up in a few hours and though my boob's a bit tender today, the blockage is completely gone

**MyFourCubs** · 13-04-2008 22:15

Woo-hoo!! Fantastic

What exactly was the upside down bit?????

**Jinglebells** · 14-04-2008 00:30

Originally Posted by glcksandthe3bears

Woo-hoo!! Fantastic

What exactly was the upside down bit?????

its when you feed over the top of bub, your on your hands and knees and bub is laying under you, well thats what I do to help empty everything

great news erin,

that doesn't happen again

**erinp** · 14-04-2008 13:57

Originally Posted by Gizzy

its when you feed over the top of bub, your on your hands and knees and bub is laying under you, well thats what I do to help empty everything

great news erin,

that doesn't happen again

Yup, that's exactly it, thanks for explaining Jo!

Yeah I hope it doesn't happen again too!!

**Beany** · 14-04-2008 14:57

I'm glad you got it sorted

Keep an eye on the soreness, though. If it lingers or gets worse there may be a chance of some infection and you should go see a doctor for a course of antibiotics.