Achy breast

[rayray007]

So, it's been hard BFing twins. We've had our ups and down. Seems like we're finally "there" (12 weeks), but I have a lingering achy breast. About 10-20 min after F has eaten on my left (they stick to their own sides) my nipple and breast sort of burns and the breast aches. Eventually it subsides. Occasionally I'll get a shooting pain from my nipple back into the breast. I should probably get checked for an infection hey? This was the nipple that had so much damage from C's bad latch on that side. That is why he has not been eating on that side for about three weeks. So nipple seems healed, No hard lumps, red spots, fever etc.

[ashanne88]

My first thought is maybe a clogged duct. I would definitely get it checked by your doctor. In the meantime, try using heat on it (wet warm cloth) for five minutes before feeding LO. This should help open the duct.

[vvvvvfee]

shooting pains in your breast sounds more like thrush.

depending on how bad your symptoms are, you can start treating it at home, but if it's worsening, i'd call your doctor.

for treating at home-
-wash your laundry (particularly bras) with a cupful of vinegar in the load to kill yeast
-you can apply a diluted vinegar solution directly to your nipples before/after feedings, or use an over-the-counter antifungal cream (look for miconazole- you can often find it by itself in a tube generally as a jock itch treatment)
-take a bath with a cupful of vinegar added
-try to cut sugar out of your diet, and eat lots of probiotic/fermented foods (yogurt, etc.)
-take a probiotic supplement
-check your LOs mouth for white patches- meaning yeast in the mouth. if that happens i'd call your pedi to get an oral solution for your LO and then you should probably get treated as well, otherwise you'll pass it back and forth.