Breastfeeding - stabbing/burning pain one side only, only after nursing (pumping fine), not thrush?

Question

My baby is 6 1/2 weeks old and I am breastfeeding him.  Everything is fine with nursing him on my right side - but the left has lots of problems.  To start with I had a recurring 'bleb' or blocked pore.  That seems to be sorted now but, around once a day, after a feed, I get agonising burning/stabbing pains in my left nipple & breast.  If I touch part of the areola near where a vein runs under my skin it feels burnt to the touch.  The pain lasts for at least an hour and is awful.  I gave birth at home on just half a tank of gas & air & labour was nothing compared to the pain of breastfeeding!

I went to the doctor who said it isn't thrush or mastitis and she doesn't know what it is & to 'see if it improves'.  The lactation consultant and a breastfeeding helpline didn't know either so I'm fairly desperate for solutions!

I've tried exclusively pumping for 48 hours on that side and I didn't get the pain at all.  I had to give that up yesterday as I got a blocked duct (sore and red patch).  His nursing fixed that but now the pain is back after feeding him this morning.  I can feed him with only mild discomfort near the start of the feed, the pain comes afterwards.

I've read about clampdown reflex & vasospasms  http://www.llli.org/llleaderweb/LV/LVJulAug94p53.html and it sounds like that might be an issue but it doesn't explain why the pain only happens on my left side.  Plus, suggesting warm baths & massage is all very well but, if you have a baby screaming to be fed, they aren't very practical!

So yes, I don't want to have to spend the next six months pumping from my left side, not least because (a) when he's hungry, he's hungry and doesn't want to wait half an hour while I pump & (b) it would mean needing to carry a pump with me whenever I leave the house for more than a few hours, to prevent engorgement.

Therefore, as none of the professionals seem to be able to help, does anyone know what this is and what I can do about it please?!

justanothamotha · Accepted Answer

Personally I would take grapefruit seed extract tablets three times daily for two weeks to see if it improves.  If it is thrush (and you can be asymptomatic other than pain) ti will clear that up & it can also help if it's mastitis.  I am not sure how a Dr can say it's not this or that as there are no tests to diagnose such issues, only symptoms.  If it starts to improve on GSE, then get it in liquid & dilute it in water (Directions are on the bottle) and treat baby's mouth as well to ensure you don't pass it back & forth.  You would also need to wash all laundry in vinegar to kill off any infection as well as sterilize anything that comes into contact with your breast or baby's mouth (pump parts & bottles, etc).

GL!

Anonymous · Answer

souns like mild mastitis hon, caused by blocked milk duct. I get these all the time in one side and have found applying a heat compress (i usde gel pads) for 10 mins before and then during pumping helps. Also take ibuprofen, this is safe when breastfeeding. Also see your doctor in case there is infection.

Anonymous · Answer

Both of you should take the medication and it should clear up. The only chance of passing it back and forth is if you don't take your medication. I think you can continue to breastfeed and at 9 days old if you don't your milk will probably dry up. Call the dr. to double check but I'm pretty sure you should continue. Good luck. Thrush sucks.

Wendy E · Answer

As for the blocked ducts, you are right when you say you must use heat and massage to help that.

I suffered a similar probelm with my fourth child.  Oddly enough, it was also limited to one side, like your own.  I got a nipple guard and within a couple of days, the burning subsided.  My son was not crazy about it at first, but he did get used to it.  I think I ceased using it when he was about 3 months old.

You can purchase the guards at Target if you are not already aware fo them.  Hope you're feeling better soon.

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Breastfeeding - stabbing/burning pain one side only, only after nursing (pumping fine), not thrush?

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