Breast Pain After Feedings?

My sister had something like this and I think it was a contracting of the vessels or something b/c her baby had an incorrect suck. I would try another lactation consultant and suggest this theory. Good luck!

I had the same thing and my lactation specialist told me it was normal and would go away eventually. It did but it wasn't fun while it lasted. Good luck!

That's not what usually happens, and I would very much suspect either an infection or that your daughter isn't eating long enough for the milk to drop... so then when your milk DOES drop (if I'm remembering it usually takes at least 10-15 minutes of nursing for milk to drop), it backlogs and would then cause clogged ducts. The clogged ducts alone hurt like bejebus, and then on top of it, a single clogged duct can cause an infection.

An infection doesn't have to present with redness (especially if it's a deep rather than surface infection), or even fever if your immune system is suppressed (stress, incidentally, suppresses all of our immune systems). Pain is more than enough to warrant a trip to the doc.

I would make an appt with your obgyn/lactation consultant through the hospital.

Great job bf, keep it up! It's THE BEST gift you can give your child. Buy some Lansinoh gel, it comes in a purple tube at any drug store. That will help the cracking and should eliminate the pain. Also try your local Le Leche League group (find it online) or hospital lactation center, they should check and see if your latch is good....

Call the lactation consultant through torrance memorial hospital. I think normally you can call and ask her the question but you might have to go to one of her classes. She knows what that is. I can't remember myself but she thought that was what I had with my second son. She is awesome and really helpful.

I agree with the others. Contact a lactation consultant or your ob/gyn on this one. I nursed my son for 13 months and didn't feel this type of pain.

Great job nursing!

Lansinoh cream will save your nipples from cracks. Use it each time after you nurse.

It sounds like you're getting really engorged when your milk lets down. It should ease up, but if it's intolerable, you can always pump after the baby nurses to give yourself some relief.

And this souds obvious, but the more relaxed you are, the easier it will be. Try to take some deep breaths and know that it will pass.

good luck!

It will end....I promise. I had this with EACH baby. I figured it would get easier with each baby, but it was about the same. I think it took about 3 months before I started to feel nothing.

here is what listed under repertory of the homeopathic remedy that seem to fit your symptoms: "Pain in breast opposite to one baby is feeding on, afterward when breasts are empty, breasts ache". the remedy is Borax Veneta.
Good Luck
V.

Hi, A.. I just found another ? you asked about breast feeding and soreness right after I finished replying to you about the night feedings. I had the same thing happen, and it is very normal. I had cracked nipples too and lots of harness around the nipples and very sore inside my breasts. It was the absolute worst after my 4th baby. I have learned from the lactation consultant at the hospital that it is progressively worse with each baby usually, BUT it will go away very soon, if it hasn't already, as soon as your breasts and breast feeding are regulated. By that i mean you settle into a routine, and your breasts become 'used to' (for lack of a better term) the milk production and feedings and how much they need to produce for what your baby needs daily. Phew! A mouthful.
I also was very large at first during my 4th time breastfeeding. My advice is to wear a very comfortable but slightly supportive nursing bra to bed for awhile until it's better. They have sleeping nursing bras at the Motherhood Maternity store and probably elsewhere. Sleep on your side definitely with a squishy pillow up close to your chest to help support your breasts. This helps alot.(And one between your thighs-I had to. It helps align your spine.) As for the cracked nipples use nursing cream or ointment. There is one called Lansinoh. It is pure lanolin, so it is safest for baby, and you don't even have to wipe it off for the next feeding. Just follow the directions on the package.
Another way to lessen the pain is to nurse often; nurse, nurse, nurse! That is what I was told, and it does help.
Anyway, no worries. You just have to grin and bare it!! :)

Hi A. --
Have you talked to anyone from LA LECHE LEAGUE?
The breast feeding specialist may have academic credentials but LA LECHE LEAGUE has generations of mother-to-mother experience and wisdom.

It sounds to me like you may have some of your milk ducts blocked and/or inflamed and, even though your child is getting a lot of milk, there is a build-up of unreleased milk causing the hardeness and pain.

La Leche League people can also help with the cracked nipples.

Atta-girl for keeping going despite the pain.
I hope you get some guidance and relief ASAP.

S.

PS -- I'm sure your milk let-down is happening
within very few minutes, NOT 10-15, after baby latches on.

Do have the La Leche League (or other) helper
see how baby is latching on. She may need to take
more of your breast into her mouth.

ALSO . . . . and this helped me a great deal . . . .
DO NOT always have baby approach the breast
from the same direction and angle at every feeding.
Adopt some creative/unusual postures
so that the pressure on your areola
is varied over different feedings.

This may help drain milk ducts
that have not been regularly released/emptied.

Best wishes,

S.

Same thing happened to me, and my mom actually. It was tingly and sometimes itchy, like a deep internal itchy feeling. Very weird! And I had no clogged ducts, infections, anything.(I saw my LC weekly) It went away though, after maybe 6-7 weeks? I don't remember exactly, but it was 'normal' it just doesn't happen to most people.

I would get these shooting pains after I breastfed my son too. And they were so painful they would keep me up at night, they do seem worse at night. I did a search online and found that grapefruit seed extract applied to my nipples seemed to help. I also took the caplet form as an oral supplement, like a vitamin. I hope this helps!

http://www.breastfeedingonline.com/
http://www.breastfeedingonline.com/newman.shtml
http://www.breastfeedingonline.com/candidiaprotocalpdf.pdf
http://www.breastfeedingonline.com/3bpdf.pdf
http://www.breastfeedingonline.com/3apdf.pdf
http://www.breastfeedingonline.com/20pdf.pdf
http://www.breastfeedingonline.com/6pdf.pdf
http://www.breastfeedingonline.com/24pdf.pdf

I had this but while my son was feeding. I also have a larger chest and my son ate tons! It wasn't an infection and I don't really know what it was but three things helped me:

1. I switched from antipersperant to deodorant-you'll probably have to go to a health food/ natural foods store to find actual deodorant. With changes in hormones the stuff in antipersperant can clog your glands under your arms. I don't know why deodorant doesn't do this but it helped.
2. Apply heat after nursing. Tuck a hot water bottle under your arm pit, I think it relaxed the muscles and let the milk flow better.
3. Drink more water. As a full time nursing mom you should drink about your weight in ounces of water. Yes, I know that's a lot.

If this doesn't help-keep trying to find opinions-if your Dr. or lactation specialist doesn't know then find one who does.
Good Luck.

Whoa did that come back in memories! I can still feel that pain. You need to go back to that b.f. specialist or to your doctor (ob/gyn) and get your nipples looked at because you need to get the cracks healed before you get an infection (I had one with each of my boys but not my daughter and cracked nipples with the boys but not my daughter). Be sure you are getting enough rest and make sure your nipples are dry after each feeding. There is lansinol (not sure on the spelling) that you can put on your breasts after feeding or even neosporin. Make sure you change your breast pads as soon as they are wet and not soaking. I've also heard about exposing your nipples to sunlight. Good luck! It's worth it to stick it out...I nursed all three past age two. Until they weaned themselves and would do it again.

Hi -

I had the same experience, preceeding an infection (mastisis). For me, this sort of pain lasted for a few weeks before it got really unbearable - I kept trying to fully empty milk ducts, used warm compresses, etc, until I finally got the telltale redness on my breast, so I ended up taking antibiotics at that point and it all cleared up.

So, if you're emptying your breasts during feedings (try pumping after) and using compresses and it's not getting better, you may have a small infection brewing that could be managed quickly. Call your ob/gyn.

Good luck!

I had the same thing - large breasts MAJOR pain during and mostly after (not at the nipple, but deep in my breast - almost as if glass shards were moving through my breasts - ugh I remember it vividly and it was over a year ago!) - and worse at night - my doula and a lactation consultant both thought Thrush (yeast infection) - even though neither baby or I had any visible symptoms (white coating in mouth, cracked, irritated nipples, etc...). But, after suffering for weeks, I took 2-3 acidopholus (probiotics) capsules morning and night and it was gone in a few days, so maybe they were on to something! Hope this helps! :)

Dear A. I suggest you check for signs of thrush which is a candida infection that affects your nipples and also the baby's mouth. Look inside your baby's mouth if it has white patches he or she probably has it. It is very difficult to get rid off it. Normally doctors prescribe Nistatin creams and gels. I had with my two kids and i had to stop breast feeding directly so I pump myself for 6 months and gave them breast milk on a bottle. With my second baby I used genecian violet and the thrush was cleared in days. Good luck.

Maria

I had the same pains until I started pumping after each feeding. Try pumping after a feeding. I usually get that tingling and deep pain when I'm full and need to pump. If your little one is just snacking and not draining all of your milk it could be the cause. Good luck and I'm proud of you for continuing through the pain. Hang in there. B