Shifter

For almost 2 months now I've been having problems with my right breast. I started off with milk blisters and blocked ducts. Then got mastitis and have continued to have milk blisters. Sometimes it is so painful when he latches on and has to get the milk to break though the damaged skin that I pull away screaming and crying. It just doesn't seem to be healing.

So I am considering feeding from the left side only, probably only for a little while to allow the right side to heal.

Any tips or advice?

Shazzy-babee

you will have to express from the right boob, else it will be really sore
i feed shaya from my right and express from my left (she is really fussy about my boobs) xxx

MelanieF

Dear Shifter,
I'm sorry to hear that you have had such problems with your right breast. Persevering through such difficult issues shows amazing commitment and determination to do the best for your babe! Well done you!!!!

You can go one-sided, and this could be a solution. Eventually the Left side will produce enough milk, and so long as you don't stimulate the right too much, eventually the right will stop producing milk - each breast is independently controlled. You might be rather lop sided!

But if you're struggling with mastitis, then normally you need to increase the milk flow through the breast. Blocked ducts are another indicator of the need to feed more frequently and to ensure the breast is fully emptied each feed.

Why don't you give a Counsellor a call? It's really useful to chat through these issues and will give you a chance to think through your various options. The National Breastfeeding Helpline is 0300 100 0212.

Mel

Shifter

It's been a while since I had mastitis (nearly 2 months) and not had a blocked duct in a while either. The problem now is really just the state of my nipple and the vasospasm, which started after the mastitis. It's not as bad as it was but if Jack has a big feed from the right it flares up and is incredibly painful (got it right now actually!)

As it is he probably only has 2 feeds a day from the right, so I'm thinking that if I try and drop it to one and eventually drop that one then I shouldn't get too badly engorged.

MelanieF

Is it Reynauds? But that isn't normally one-sided. In fact, a common feature of Reynauds is that all your extremeties (toes, fingers, nose, ears) are affected. Other options include the pain associated with refilling the breast (very occassionally, some women experience this as painful, but it gets better over time) or a pulled back muscle; even a tumour, galactocele or abcess.... but I don't want to scare you. You'd probably feel a lump if that was the case.

Vasposapasm is commonly treated by nitroglycerin (2%) applied sparingly after every feed for 24 hours and thereafter if blanching occurs, or 30mg nifedipine / day for two weeks (Breastfeeding Answer Book 3rd ed, p512)

Is baby's latch good on both sides, or is there a difference? Are your breasts similar in size and shape, as this can impact on the latch or mean that the bra pinches on one side? Have you double checked for tongue tie? Do you always carry your handbag on one side? Crash dieting can cause breast pain, as can various infections.

I hope you manage to resolve this soon. VERY WELL DONE (and I really mean it!) for getting so far, and for persevering through what sounds like a very difficult set of obstacles to give your baby such a wonderful, amazing start in life. Mother's milk is a fantastic gift; and you've done so much for your lovely babe.

Going one-sided is a real option, if you feel it would make matters better. Each breast can make enough for your baby (some mums even exclusively breastfeed triplets) and the unused breast will slowly shut down production. If at some point in the future, you want to resume on the right side, you can start to pump on that side and slowly milk will restart.

Blessings to you,
Melanie

Shifter

Thanks for all your advice Melanie

My dr said there was no treatment for the vasospasm, and she even spoke to a lactation consultant about it first!

I'm sure this is all down to a latch problem. I noticed he was in a funny position on the right side when the first milk blisters appeared and I have been working on fixing it. I hadn't been adjusting his position on my lap as he'd grown so I was ending up with his bum where it had been when he was newborn and his head miles away with me leaning to accommodate him

The problem now is that after he latches on correctly he tilts his head and changes position, but only on the right side