I am seeking help dealing with a mother experiencing severe breast pain
between feedings.  The baby is four months old.  The Mom has a lot of
pain following feed, commencing two months ago when she first
experienced plugged ducts.  She describes a burning sensation to the
pain which originates from around the nipple and shoots a dull to
piercing pain up into the breast.  She has had plugged ducts
intermittently in both breasts in the past two months, twice in the left

breast & seven times in the right breasts.  After feeds, she states the
nipple on her right breast seems to have tiny little blisters and the
nipple blanches after feeds.  The nipple is extremely tender to touch.
She does not believe she has thrush - the baby does not have a diaper
rash nor white patches in its mouth and her nipples do not hurt during
feeds.   Her baby is feeding gaining weight well, but wants to feed
frequently - every 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 hours.  Due to the pain, she is
feeding the baby 1 to 2 bottles per day.  We have so far only connected
by telephone, but am planning to see her early in the next week.  I have

suggested she try breast compression with feeds to perhaps lengthen the
time between feeds.  I have also suggested she try either warm or cold
compresses on her breasts following feeds to see if it relieves the
pain.
What do you think.....is this ductal cramping ...am I missing a possible

thrush...or what???  Any assistance you, my esteemed colleagues, can
give, would be much appreciated.

Jeanne Hagreen, RN, IBCLC
Prince George, BC, Canada

"One LC in the wilderness"