Scared of getting Mastitis again...

[WeedlesHatOfDisappointment]

BF has gone better with ds2 than ds1, but I still feel like I'm struggling.
Ds2 is 5 weeks old, and we've battled through thrush (him and me) with a lovely dose of mastitis thrown in.
My left breast, which is the one I had trouble with ds1, is still painful to feed from. It's fine once he's on, but when latching it's toe curling painful, and when not feeding, it hurts.
Today I had to get dh home from work as I started getting the same symptoms of mastitis, and I was petrified. Feeling better now, but it's constantly on my mind.
Not asking for permission to give up, but wondered if anyone has had similar, and carried on, or if you went to bottles. I'm getting sick of constantly thinking of my boobs, but don't want to regret giving up.

[WeedlesHatOfDisappointment]

Crap, dh has just seen my boob, and has pointed out its red underneath, so looks like its back again. Think that's my mind made up then to stop

[YokoUhOh]

OP mastitis is quite hard to shift without antibiotics - have you been on a course of Flucloxillin? I'm on my second course with DS2 at the moment because the first didn't quite knock it on the head.

(In the meantime, I think the advice is to keep feeding from the infected breast so that you don't get blocked ducts). Good luck and sorry you're having a rubbish time with BF

[Bigfam]

You have my complete sympathy. I tried to bf our first dc, ended up with mastitis and was still encouraged to carry on. Ended up with an abscess that had to be operated on under GA then had weeks of continued treatment because the wound had to be packed every single day. It's the worst thing I've ever gone through. Expecting baby no5, haven't tried to bf since and never will again.
I honestly believe had I stopped when it was at the mastitis stage, I wouldn't have developed the abscess.

[Bigfam]

I was put on antibiotics as well, 2 courses of two different types. Also had my breast drained twice

[WeedlesHatOfDisappointment]

Yes, had a course of Flucloxillin and felt better, but tonight it's come back. Feel guilty about giving up, but don't know what else to do. I suffered from pnd last time, and I think if I'm constantly worrying about it I've got mastitis, it may come back.

[Nzou1050]

I gave up breastfeeding DS after 4 weeks, thrush and 2 bouts of mastitis, which I got flucloxicillin for. If you do switch to bottles I would suggest replace feeds gradually because if you just stop breastfeeding it's very likely you'll get mastitis again. It was the right decision and I was so much happier. The feeding was so painful I was scared to have him near me in the end.

DD is currently 4.5 months. I've had mastitis once (antibiotics again) and recurring thrush which I had to get oral treatment for in the end (fluconazole). I was close to giving up a few times in the first couple of months but am now glad I didn't because the pain is gone and I find it more convenient than preparing bottles.

I would say it really depends on how much you feel it's affecting you. Physically and also your mood. With the right treatment thrush and mastitis can get better but if it's unbearable and really getting you down then I don't think you should feel you have to continue to the detriment of your health.

I don't regret giving up with DS because it was making me unwell, mainly the stress I was putting on myself. At the same time I'm glad I persevered with DD (mainly because I'm lazy and it's more convenient, I have no issue with formula). When I was struggling with DD in the early days I broke it down into smaller chunks in my mind, so thinking I'll just try for 3 more days/a week, whatever it may be but already having given myself 'permission' to give up if it was really getting to me.

Sorry for the essay! Hope you manage to get some antibiotics and feel better asap.

[WeedlesHatOfDisappointment]

Thanks all. I agree with breaking it into dsys. At the moment i know i need to feed for at least a week while yhe antibiotics kick in once i get them. Will then reevaluate

[fionnthedog]

With both my DCs I battled reoccurring plugged ducts and bouts of mastitis in the first two months. It was horrible and I totally understand your pain!

I found that things got better from about 12 weeks - it just seemed to take my boobs a long time to settle down into not making crazy amounts of milk that my babies couldn't drink!!

Just saying there might be light at the end of the tunnel - but ultimately your mental health is more important than bf imo.

xx

[WeedlesHatOfDisappointment]

I have another course of antibiotics, so hopefully it will clear it this time. Last night, I think I was in a panic that it was going to be as painful as the first time. It's not as bad, so for the moment, I'm going to carry on

[badg3r]

Grr I hate mastitis, you have my complete sympathies. I've had it three times now and always starts from the same blocked duct. As well as all the conventional things, warm flannels, cabbage leaves, expressing a bit in the shower etc, I found that, erm, kneeling over DS and feeding him from above so my boob was pointing straight down and gravity could do its job helped to shift the backlog. I looked like I was doing a ridiculous dog impression and I'm not sure if it actually helped or if the comedy value of the situation just made me feel better. But if nothing else then maybe the mental image will give you a chuckle!

[WeedlesHatOfDisappointment]

That has made me smile. Only problem with me doing that is that I'm so clumsy, I'd be afraid of falling on him

[Iwasjustabouttosaythat]

Bigfam, sorry but you're totally incorrect. You should never stop feeding/pumping while you have mastitis. That is a sure way to an abscess. Obviously this can occur regardless. I'm sorry for what you went through but you were given the correct advice.

OP, I'm on the second last day of a course of antibiotics for mastitis too! 5 week old twins here. It's so common in the early weeks. I had it several times last pregnancy too. My advice is only to ask your dr to give you a repeat prescription for the antibiotics so you're ready to go of it does come back. If you get on it immediately it won't be bad at all. Take two for the first dose to knock it on the head and you'll be fine! Paracetamol will kick any chills and is safe for the little one.

Don't be scared of mastitis. You can take control of the situation.

[Bigfam]

Iwasjustabouttosaythat I continued to bf whilst I had mastitis, whilst I was on antibiotics & when I had it drained at hospital. I ONLY stopped AFTER it had turned into an abscess and I had to have an operation, there was no way I could carry on after that. I spent at least an hour every day for weeks having it packed.

[WeedlesHatOfDisappointment]

I've had a health visitor come to see me, and it seems I was taught incorrectly with ds1. I now have to restart learning all over again, which I'm not sure I can take. It doesn't help that ds2 is currently out of sorts, so is only feeding for a minute each time.
Is it painful to just stop breastfeeding? And if I do, should I just stop cold turkey, as my gp advised? I do have a pump, so could alleviate any pressure that way. And should I wait till I finish my antibiotics?

[Penguina]

Never give up on a bad day! Definitely get back on the antibiotics and look after yourself.

I had the most horrific 7 and a half weeks feeding ds. I hated it it was so effing painful. Worse than labour and recovery from a c section. Ripped nips and mastitis made my life hell. But I persevered and so so glad I did.

It will get better I promise and we are now really enjoying it.

[WeedlesHatOfDisappointment]

We are still going! Latch still hit and miss, but mastitis appears to be going