Ok bear with me...Im looking for encouragement so I asked for serious bf moms.I was taking mothers milk to increase my supply b/c I thought it was low. I was having latch on problems b/c I think there was some nipple confusion. This lead to sore nipples. I believe some vasoconstriction too b/c after nursing the nipple tip would be white and painful...very. Then sometimes Id feel a sharp pain and burning too. There is a bit of a "scab" on my R breast and so only 1 nipple opening is coming out on it. NOW in the past few days I find myself really engorged. Baby has a hard time latching on, she slips off. The milk doesnt flow freely I havent felt let down in a few days. She does get milk though but its like its stuck up in there hard as a rock. Ive tried warm compresses and pumping. The breasts are somewhat lumpy. I saw a LC on Fri she "helped" me with the latch but had no info on my other questions! This is going from bad to worse. How do I know if I have thrush? What the heck isgoingon

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You're engorged-all sounds normal-solution-pump, pump, pump-fill bottles if it hurts to feed the baby....you'll be ok mom-

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Well, if warm compresses aren't working or pumping I would highly recomend going to the doctor. Is it painfully engorged? Are you running a fever or exhibiting any flu like symptoms? If you answered yes to any of these questions there is a good chance that you could have Mastitis which needs treatment with antibiotics before it becomes a breast abcess that would require surgical draining. I had mastitis when I was breastfeeding my daughter, once you start antibiotics you will feel much better. Here are some other signs or symptoms that you may be suffering from Mastitis;Part or all of the breast is intensely painful, hot, tender, red, and swollen. Some mothers can pinpoint a definite area of inflammation, while at other times the entire breast is tender. You feel tired, run down, achy, have chills or think you have the flu. A breastfeeding mother who thinks she has the flu probably has mastitis. Mothers with mastitis will sometimes experience these flu-like symptoms, even before they get a fever or notice breast tenderness. You have chills or feel feverish, or your temperature is 101F or higher. These symptoms suggest that you have an infection.You are feeling progressively worse, your breasts are growing more tender, and your fever is becoming more pronounced. With simple engorgement, a plugged duct, or mastitis without infection, you gradually feel better instead of worse.Recent events have set you up for mastitis: cracked or bleeding nipples, stress or getting run down, missed feedings or longer intervals between feedings. Hope this helps and good luck!































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