Robyn, This sounds frightening. Her doctor is stumped?? You did not mention any diagnostic tests that have been done. This mother needs IMMEDIATE testing and diagnosis to find out what this is. Not next week -- NOW! If the doctor refuses, change doctors immediately! I have known too many women in my life who have developed breast cancer while pregnant, breastfeeding or at a young age when it was thought they were low risk. It has not responded to treatment as a breast infection. Get an ultrasound, mammogram, and needle biopsy. What you describe could be an abscess or cancer, but I doubt the abscess because it has been there since the last weeks of pregnancy. She needs a good doctor who will diagnose this. A good doctor will not be stumped because he will find out what it is,not just scratch his head and say "I don't know". Breast problems like this should NOT be watched for weeks, but really diagnosed. This baby needs to have his mother there, alive and well as he grows up. Jane Bradshaw RN, BSN, IBCLC Lynchburg, VA Dear Lactnetters I have a problem that I have never encountered before. I wonder if anyone can help me. The mother developed a generalised hardness of one breast in the last 6weeks of pregnancy.It presents as a very solid breast but the nipple and areola area are still soft. A shelf of hardness commences about 2cm from the nipple and lasts right up to the chest wall. We expected it all to come right after breastfeeding was established. This hasn't happened. Breastfeeding has been going well on the other breast but the affected one hasn't changed. It has never produced more than a few drops of milk with the baby suckling or with expressing. The hardness has never shifted and we have tried all the usual massage and heat, as well as a vibrator. We stopped trying after about 3weeks expecting the hardness to go down when stimulation was withdrawn. It is still hard and uncomfortable 3 weeks later, baby is now 6weeks old. Any ideas on what the problem is.Her doctor is stumped too. I would appreciate hearing from you. Regards Robyn Dunning NZ RN,RM,IBCLC