breast infection? EDITED Now with a low grade fever

My right breast is sore to the touch and I sometimes get a shooting pain in it. It is not that bad at all...no fever..no chills

could this be the start of an infection? or am I just sore from pumping. if so is there anything I can do to help prevent it?

ETA: Ok so I wasn't feeling great and now I have a low grade fever...only 100....should I call the dr or wait it out a little bit?

Message edited 4/20/2011 1:22:44 PM.

Re: breast infection?

maybe it's a clogged duct...do you feel a lump? That's how mine felt when I had a clogged duct and milk blister. Letting the hot water run on it while in the shower helped and I also added a few pumping sessions to try to drain it. Feel better!

Re: breast infection?

I don't feel a lump. Right now I am pumping after each feeding to keep up my supply. I will try the hot water in the shower. Thanks

Re: breast infection?

It's probably just a clog. I've had a few (and I've also had mastitis). Try to take a hot shower before one of your nursing/pumping sessions and massage the area, working toward the nipple. Someone on here recommended taking a comb in the shower and literally combing out the lump. It helped me.

ETA: Just saw that you don't feel a lump. I don't always either, but just massage/comb the sore area.

Message edited 4/20/2011 11:02:39 AM.

Re: breast infection?

It could be the start of mastitis.
I had that early on and it followed with Chills, fever, and my whole body ached.

Otherwise, maybe just engorgement or a clogged duct.

Hope you feel better.

Re: breast infection?

I've had mastitis and a clogged duct...Mastitis felt like I was coming down with the flu and my right breast was all inflamed...The clogged duct was more of an ache and tenderness...But a clogged duct can lead to mastitis so don't ignore it...I tried to wear my looser bras during the day when I had to go out and not wear a bra when I was home and went in the shower to massage it under the hot water and nursed alot on that breast and the pain stopped after about 48 hours. HTH

Re: breast infection?

Thanks again ladies...hopefully my babies take a nap so I can take a nice long shower