Treating Breast Pain After Birth

Breast engorgement is very common in the early days after having a baby. My doctor advised me to have the baby on my breasts consistently nursing for 15-20 minutes on each side every 2-3 hours. In the normal course of things, this early breast pain should go away within around 10 days to 2-3 weeks. 

Now, I always had some nipple pain from sore nipples because the babies suck was so strong. This is normal. But, if you feel pain in your inner breast, be very careful -- especially a sore spot -- because this could be mastitis. 

It's very common and you have to treat a blocked duct or mastitis right away by frequent nursing and pumping, and in some cases antibiotics. If you feel nausea or flu-like (both recognized mastitis symptoms), go to your doctor right away!