Woohoo! And...argh breast infections
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Topic: Woohoo! And...argh breast infections
Posted By: Bubnumber2
Subject: Woohoo! And...argh breast infections
Date Posted: 28 April 2009 at 7:42pm
Well, first off...I got my wee girl to take her first 'proper' feed straight from the boob today...almost. She fed completely from one side, wouldn't go to the other side so had to give her half an expressed bottle.  Stoked about that.
Good thing too, because to be honest...this is getting really hard. I've got my FOURTH breast infection.  It's always in the same breast (right side) and I have gotten massive (to the point they look like they're bleeding and are swollen-ish...kinda weird looking) cracks in my nipple.
This is my fourth infection breast-feeding this baby, I had two with my first...also on that same side. I have talked to my Dr about it, and while he originally thought I just wasn't draining the breast, he suggested it could be stress causing them?? Can stress/lack of sleep cause breast infections? We have had a lot going on lately, some of which HAS been making me stress out in a massive way, and I haven't been sleeping too well...so if that's a possible cause for infections, then I think it's likely. I just don't know how to do anything about it. Hubby thinks I should stop trying to breast-feed now, especially since I'm on my own at the moment (I think he feels bad about that) and he can't help out. I'm not ready to stop, especially now that she may be going back to the boob...it has been WAY too much work to get to this point to give up now, but the pain in my right breast is so constant, I'm almost used to it now. 
Sorry, I know this is a massive pity fest and I'm not sure if I want advice on this or what, but I really want to continue breast-feeding, but at the same time I'm SO tired of it all. ------------- http://www.bump-and-beyond.com/"> 
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Replies:
Posted By: cuppatea
Date Posted: 28 April 2009 at 8:02pm
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My mw said that getting run down, overtired or stressed can all cause breast infections. I had 5 with Spencer and thankfully only one so far this time. I also get mine mostly in the same place of the same boob (although not always as some of the infections with Spencer were in both boobs at once) so she said it's quite possible I have some gnarly tissue in that boob which can happen from any type of trauma, like seatbelt crushing it during a crash, or damage from contact sports etc
Once you have baby back on full time then they will probably help drain it better as well and if it's always in the same place then try positioning her so she drains that part well. So if it's kind of in near your armpit then using the rugby hold can help empty that area. With the swelling you might have a whole segment infected which is what I had, mw said boob is in segments like an orange and sometimes all that gets infected rather than just one duct. Express heaps and use heat and massage (if you can cos that hurts like a mother $^&%^&) And if you decide to stop don't feel bad she has had nearly 5 months worth which is a very good effort considering the infections that you've had and the expressing you have had to do. ------------- 
 
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Posted By: Maya
Date Posted: 28 April 2009 at 8:04pm
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Awww hugs! I feel your pain, I've had months of on and off pain with feeding lil miss, at one stage I had a crack that lasted 3 months and was so bad it would bleed when I fed her, I dreaded feeding.
I want to say hang in there and it will get better (which it will), but at the end of the day, you need to do what's best for you. If you're not ready to stop, it might be worth seeing a lactation consultant (Plunket Family Centres are good for this) to get them to have a look at your nipples and see what they recommend. I did that when lil miss was 17 weeks and it turned out I had a cracker of a dose of thrush, dermatitis on my nipples, the crack I mentioned earlier plus a bacterial infection - no wonder it was sore! But once I knew what was wrong and treated it accordingly it did eventually clear up (altho that took another 6 weeks) and I'm still breastfeeding her now at 9 1/2 mths. -------------  Maya Grace (28/02/03)
 (02/01/06)
The Gremlins:Sienna Marie & Mercedes Kailah (14/10/06)
Lil miss:Chiara Louise Chloe (09/07/08)
Her ladyship:Rosalia Sophie Anais (18/06/12)
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Posted By: Bubnumber2
Date Posted: 28 April 2009 at 8:37pm
Thank you both. 
Cuppatea, it's interesting hearing (reading) that you had 5 infections with one baby/child...I'm really hoping this is my last one (won't hold my breath there though). Yep, I think it's more an area that keeps getting infected, though the last time I had two 'patches', both that had a red area and swelling about the size of the bottom of a skinny glass (kinda hard to liken the size to anything lol), one kinda underneath the breast and the other right over the top. I know I HAVE to really express, but it hurts! And the more it hurts, the less milk comes out, and the worse the cracks in my nipple get...bit of crappy circle really. Maya, wow...3 months for one crack? Ouch. This particular one I have (or rather, the 3 that I have on one nipple) has only been there about a week, but it's getting worse, and more painful. Not giving up yet, like I said in my original post...it has taken way too long to even get her to take an interest in the breast, so not ready to throw that hard work out the window (because it WAS hard). Just got to get through tonight I guess, and get past this infection and see how things are then. I know I'll feel better once this infection clears, I'm just having a kinda low night tonight. Thanks to you both for replies. It's nice to have somewhere to go to talk (or vent in my case) about these problems...even if I'm mostly just complaining about my boob issues all the time. ------------- http://www.bump-and-beyond.com/">
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Posted By: Natalie_G
Date Posted: 28 April 2009 at 9:06pm
Sorry I have no advice on what it could be causing it, but good for you continuing with BF I hope it all works out  ------------- http://lilypie.com">  
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Posted By: Chickoin
Date Posted: 28 April 2009 at 11:08pm
I don't have any advice either, just wanted to say YAY that she latched and fed from the breast!!!!! 
Hopefully she will drink more and more often straight from the breast and it will help with the infections. -------------   
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Posted By: fire_engine
Date Posted: 29 April 2009 at 9:27am
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You poor things - breast infections are a killer. I had 5+ in 7 months and it did my head in.
I wonder if it's worth talking to your GP about further investigation. A friend of mine had recurrent infections in the same spot and she was sent for a mammogram (ouchies when BF, don't know why old fashioned US wouldn't work) and they found the spot where the collection was and drained it with a needle. Now she has no more issues. ------------- Mum to two wee boys |