Sore boob = blocked duct? help please! UPDATE - it's mastitis (sob)

I have one really sore boob tonight, I can't feel an obvious lump but it is all a bit hard and sore. Might it be a blocked duct or something else? What can I do to help it?

Background = James is 21 weeks and exclusively bf, no problems at all so far. He usually wakes at 10pm ish for a feed so I can empty it then but should I be doing anything else?

TIA

Updated to say thanks for the advice and yes El there is redness in patches. I was really poorly overnight with a fever, sickness and dizziness so have been to docs. He prescribed antibiotics for a week so just hoping they work soon. Am feeling weak and tired but have two little ones to look after so no chance of a rest! Hmph, thought bf problems would be over by 21 weeks!

Probably an obvious response but make sure you massage the  boob towards the nipple when J is feeding to encourage the milk out if the duct is blocked. I don't know how you tell if it is blocked though, or just a very full boob.

Hope it sorts itself out quickly.

Xx

Thanks smarties, will defo try the massaging thing and hope it helps x

i've had this a few times and massage is the only thing that has helped, preferably in the shower!basically just keep poking even though it hurts!

Is there any redness?

I have had a number of episodes of mastitis so any warning signs like this, I either go into the bath or use a washing up basin to soak the breast in warm water - gravity can also help. I massage then and also during and after each feed. I found the breast nurse pads great (from John Lewis) - but any sort of hot compress prior to a feed and cold compress afterwards is helpful. I find that I only need to do this a few times if I have caught the symptsom early enough.

Have updated in original post!

Oh, poor you, I hope the anti-biotics work soon xx

Take regular ibuprofen as well - it will help reduce the inflammation and help symptoms settle quicker if taken 3 times a day. You can obviously take paracetamol, etc when needed. The antibiotics should start having an effect within 24 hours.

Make sure the breast is drained well regularly. See: http://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/pdfs/BFN_Mastitis.pdf for self-help measures (sorry if you are already aware of these).

Any idea about the cause? Has J cut down on feeds, etc? The first time I had it, it was related to latch problems and I needed antibiotics. The second time I managed with just self help and it related to pressure from using the sling wrong. A further episode related to G having a cold and not draining the breast as well. The other time I needed antibiotics related to a tummy bug. I got the symptoms of mastiis first though, incl flu like sympoms, and then the sickness. A BFC said sickness was an unusual symptom (which is why I am mentioning it) but my H got the sickness a few days later but no flu like symptoms. 

Hope you feel better soon.

Thanks BroodyMrsH

And thanks for all your help El, I'm off to have a look at the link now. Can I pick your brains about some other questions please? If it's an infection, can J transfer it to the other boob? Or will it just stay in one side? Have you ever noticed the antibiotics affecting your LO? and is ibuprofen ok to take while bf then?

I'm not sure what caused it really, J hasn't changed his feeds really and his latch tends to be ok. I do wear a sling regularly but never noticed it affecting my boobs! 

TIA again!

Ibuprofen is sade to take when breastfeeding.

In general, the type of infection that causes mastitis won't be trasferred to the other boob as the infection is within the duct rather than on the surface of the nipple iyswim. Your LO therefore won't be affected in that sense - he may not be as keen to feed from that side as the milk tastes a bit different but it is important to continue trying to get him to feed as he will be more effective at draining the breast than any breast pump. 

The main infection that would be transferred would be thrush which could be more likely after antibiotics. I did get thrush as well following one lot of antibiotics and still drink probiotic drinks, etc every day. A BFC told me I should have done that whilst on antibiotics - it may not help but it doesn't do any harm!

With the antibiotics, the second time G was fine. The first time, she seemed to have an upset tummy (she was only 6 days old though) - we ended up taking her to the GP who thought that she had a separate bug rather than it being the antibiotics. The antibiotics can give them strange nappies though, but won't do them any harm.

If you have used the sling for a long time, I'm sure it won't be that - I had just started with the sling so didn't know what it should feel lik and I can tell now if her head is getting into a position where it is causing pressure and recognise what I had done wrong.

HTH 

Poor you.

Can you see a white dot anywhere (on your nipple... sorry if this is TMI)? I had a blocked duct and there was a white dot, like dried-up milk or whatever. Anyway, Iread up on it online and kept massaging while B was feeding, in the shower, but also poking at the white dot and squeezing (blimey it hurt) but eventually the white stuff came out (like a zit, sorry) and after that... relief!

FWIW I think mine was caused by wearing nursing bra that was too tight. Stopped wearing that bra, just wear a loose one now and no probs since.

I know nothing about mastitis so can't be of any help but (gentle) , it sounds horrid.  The most I've had is the odd blocked duct, and that is sore enough.  Hope it gets better soon x

Thanks all, am trying the self help things on top of the antibiotics so hopefully it won't last too long. Still feeling really poorly but glad my H is around to help today!

Oh you poor thing, lots of speedy recovery vibes for you