Week 16 with sore breast

Question

Hi Fellow Mummies,Im currently in my 2nd pregnancy. During my first pregnancy i didn’t manage to latch my girl due to alot of contributing factor but i managed to express pump for her to be exclusively breastfeed. When i learn about my pregnancy 2 mths in, doc recommended me to stop pumping. Now that im in my wk16, i sense soreness in my breast again. Feels like the milk is starting to product again but one side of my boob is alot of “stuck”? I tried to squeeze abit and indeed one flows better and one is like perma stuck. Im afraid of mastitis again after birth. Not too sure if anyone experience anything similar and of you did, did you pump to release your breastmilk despite being just 16wks into pregnancy?I lve read online but they only advice to pump for colostrum in week 36. Helpps

Felicia · Answer

Oh mama, the uneven engorgement feeling is so real and honestly a bit worrying when you've had mastitis before, totally understand why you're anxious. From what I've gathered, pumping at 16 weeks is generally not recommended because stimulation can trigger contractions, and even gentle squeezing can do the same, so it's better to just leave it alone as much as possible rather than try to "clear" it yourself. The soreness and that "stuck" feeling on one side is likely just your ducts gearing up again, and the good news is that mastitis risk during pregnancy itself is quite low, the real watch point is after birth when supply kicks in properly. Do bring this up with your gynae or a lactation consultant sooner rather than later, especially with your mastitis history, so they can give you a proper plan before delivery.