I have a group mom who had BR surgery on her right breast in 1974. Her
baby is 3 months old and has nursed well on that side until last Sun
3/23. When pumping the mother has obtained more milk from the BR side
than the other. Suddenly, on Sun she realized the baby was not
swallowing. She felt a hard spot on the top of the breast and became
engorged.  Monday she saw redness and went to see her physician. She was
put on dicloxycillin (sp?).  She has also tried hot wet compresses
and trying to manually express. Tuesday she rented a breast pump and has
only been able to express between 1/4 to 1/2 oz on the affected side. At
times she has pumped for 20 miniutes and obtained only a few drops.
Today, (Thurs) she had a manual breast massage for lymph drainage. She
reported that her breast does feel softer, but when her daughter nurses
on that breast she is not achieving letdown, hears no swallowing, and her
daughter eventually arches and cries. Mother was concerned about daughter
not getting enough to eat from the other side, and gave the baby 2 oz of
formula this am.  This mother is very depressed and concerned that this
breast is 'shutting down.'  On top of all this, they are supposed to go
to Kansas for the weekend (driving)):-(  This mom has even had two other
friends' babies nurse to see if they could get anything.  I'm afraid
she's thinking about giving up, which would be such a shame as she has
been so dedicated to nursing this child, her third. (BF did not work with
first two--gave up after about 6 weeks).

Any ideas or suggestions are most welcome!

Anna Swisher
LLL Leader
Austin, TX