My boobs hurt...help!

Bonnie - posted on 01/16/2010

Hello. I have Raynaud's Phenomenon in my breasts. It can be very painful and "attacks" can occur at any time throughout the day or night. These episodes can be irritated and brought on by chills or cold, though they need to reason to happen. If you find there is more sensitivity or pain after exposure to air or water, try using a Lanolin cream around the nipple and over the areola. (I use Lansinoh brand) With my attacks sometimes it is just nipple pain while others seem to radiate through the breast. Raynaud's is very commonly mistaken for yeast infections in the breast as many doctors are unaware that Raynaud's in the nipples and breasts is even a condition. Usually, Raynaud's is associated with hands and feet, not breasts and nipples. During an attack your skin or nipple can either turn two or three colors... usually white to blue then back to pinkish/red. Though some women only experience two color changes. I get all three depending on the severity of the attack. I am pregnant with my second child and had no symptoms of this with my first daughter, so (if you do have Raynaud's) it can seem as if it comes out of nowhere and just starts happening, as it did with me. I wish you luck in trying to find out what is happening. Feel free to contact me if you need more information or if I can assist in any way.

Barbara-Anne - posted on 01/19/2009

I had the same problem and it was thrush.  I went to see Dr. Newman (luckily I lived in the area)...someone posted the link to his site above.  I had a really severe case of thrush and had to go on a candida diet to get rid of it.  I wouldn't rule it out yet.  My dr and LC told me that I didn't have it either, but finally Dr. Newman caught it. 

Rachael - posted on 01/18/2009

I pumped frequently with mine so warm showers or heat pads helped me with soreness and even though it increases the amount you produce I just pumped off any excess....so engorgement was never an issue. I really liked heat...cold packs didn't do it for me.

Julianna - posted on 01/18/2009

NOT WARM! That is the biggest mistake I hear. Everyone tells women to put warm clothes on their breast but that is just to get flow going and make your breasts turn the fluid into milk. 

You are probably hurting because you have a breast infection. I suffered from chronic breast infections and it usually mean there is a block. 

Warmth on you breasts will make you milk let down and your breast get even more full and hurt even more. You should massage the breast where it hurts and then use cold clothes to make any swelling go down.

Krystal - posted on 01/18/2009

I had the same issue with my current child that I am breastfeeding. It was around the same time also. I just had to change my position of how I was holding her. I had to make sure to do the cross cradle - which I have never done with any of the other two children. I wasn't sure why it was different. I also had to make sure that I put my finger in her mouth to make sure she had a nice open mouth to allow more of my nipple. I also, put on cream frequently to make sure they were not drying out, and change your breast pads frequently to make sure you are not allowing thrush to have a place to thrive. Good luck I hope this helps! Stick with it, it will get better!

Kristen - posted on 01/18/2009

I agree with Debbie. I had thrush (a.k.a. yeast infection) in both breast for the first 2 months of breastfeeding. At first my son had it too, but I still had it even after he was treated and his never returned. I had breast pain just like you do (although I had nipple pain as well). My midwife prescribed Dr. Jack Newman's ointment (had to be specially made at the pharmacy and insurance does not cover it so it cost $30) and it worked wonderfully. I didnt even have to use the whole prescription and now I keep it on hand just incase I get another infection. Do check out the website posted above!!!! Sometimes doctors are not always right when it comes to diagnosing a yeast infection. Seems like some women have different symptoms, not necessarily the "classic" symptoms. Hang in there!!!!!

Debbie - posted on 01/18/2009

Even if your doctors have checked ou out it may be thrush ... check out this web site for some great info. http://www.drjacknewman.com/help/Candida...

I just got over thrush and it was a burning/stabbing sort of pain deep inside in one or both breasts that was generally worse at the end of the day.

Rachael - posted on 01/18/2009

Have you tried pumping after nursing? When our daughter was born I was really sore also (I had mastitis with our first so I knew I didn't have that). My breasts would feel better if I could completely empty them. It got better over a few weeks it just took the tissues inside a while to get use to having milk in there again. I nursed our first until I got pregnant so I was only not nursing for nine months and I was still sore. Try ice packs or heat which ever feels better to try to get some relief. Make sure your bra is tight enough and supporting you enough that might make the soreness worse. Is it in both breasts or just one? It could be a clogged milk duct (on the inside) try massaging your breasts while your in the shower and while breast feeding if it is clogged ducts massaging will help release it.  Your little one is sure cute, congratulations on his arrival! Good luck I hope it gets better. Don't rule out mastitis I would still watch for symptoms. 

Laura - posted on 01/18/2009

I had terrible pain for about a month. It was the absolute worst through week two. I was determined to stick with it, though and now she's four months and we are both much better at it and it is still a little uncomfortable at times but doesn't hurt. I have overactive letdown that is painful at times. At fist mine would feel real sore all over, like you mentioned, especially after I pumped and knew they were empty. I just considered it to be the pain of 'production'. Again, it doesn't hurt like that anymore. Keep it up. The hardest part is almost over!

Alyson - posted on 01/18/2009

Quoting Kathryn:

Could be thrush? Is the baby's tongue white? Does it feel like a needle sticking into your breast? Or (sorry if TMI) is the end of your nipple turning white after feeding? If so, could be Raynaud's syndrome.

Best to try a warm facecloth on your breasts before and after feeding. Don't forget the lanolin creams, they're great. And when in doubt, contact the La Leche league nearest to you. Whatever you do, try not to stop breastfeeding, it's the best thing for your baby!

It's not actually the nipple, dr has already checked me out for thrush and it's not that.  It doesn't matter if it's before or after feeding it always hurts, whether full or empty.

Kathryn - posted on 01/17/2009

Could be thrush? Is the baby's tongue white? Does it feel like a needle sticking into your breast? Or (sorry if TMI) is the end of your nipple turning white after feeding? If so, could be Raynaud's syndrome.



Best to try a warm facecloth on your breasts before and after feeding. Don't forget the lanolin creams, they're great. And when in doubt, contact the La Leche league nearest to you. Whatever you do, try not to stop breastfeeding, it's the best thing for your baby!