Advice needed RE- MASTITIS.

[Jaysecond]

I fed my 8 week old last night and had some discomfort in that boob, i thought nothing of it till i fed him in the night and experienced the same pain, but 10 times worse.

I have woken this morning with a horrid headache, a bit shivery and aching muscles and joints. The pain/tenderness in my boob, doesnt seem to be localise and is more like covering the whole top bit of my boob tissue.

Have looked on the net for some answers and i think it might be 'engorgement mastitis', as i have no cracked nipples by way of an inlet for infection.

I do get a lot of milk and i have sometimes felt that my boobs haven't been emptied as well as they should of been.

I BF from the start and had no problems with latching or feeding or sore cracked or bleeding nipples. I also BF my first daughter with no repercussions

Can i have some advice on what to next about this situation.

[sibble]

I found that cold cabbage leaves (I know it sounds weird) helped clear mine, even when it was really bad. Take them out of the fridge, place over boob inside your bra and leave for a few mins at a time!! Don't leave for too long as they can also be used to dry up your milk supply. If this is a bit weird for you, you need to see your GP/health visitor as it can make you really quite ill if left untreated. They say keep feeding from that breast to help unblock the blockage although it hurts and to try expressing/massaging your boob in the shower as the hot water eases the pain and helps the milk flow so boob unblock. HTH and good luck, it's not pleasant I know.

[Jaysecond]

sibble - thanks. Its a savoy cabbage isn't it?

Another quick question. I can take paracetamol bit can i take anything stronger while BF?

[jeangenie]

I had mastitis and needed antibiotics to clear it, moved quite quickly then though

sympathies, it is really rotten

[skirmish]

get yourself to gp asap - antibiotics is the only thing that will clear it! You will feel like you have the flu and worse! The anitbiotics kick in almost straightaway

you have all my sympathies - but cannot stress enough about getting to gp's - you don't want to know what happens if you dont

[skirmish]

and yes, you can take paracetamol

[Jaysecond]

Thought id have to go to GPS just what i didnt want to have to , means getting everyone up and dressed and dragging kids out too... still if needs must, best get up and get sorted them i suppose... thanks ladies going for the drugs now then will call docs at 8

[NotQuiteCockney]

You might be able to clear it without ABs, as it sounds like the mastitis is just starting. You need to:

1. Feed lots on that side, and express, too. You want to feed with the baby's chin at the lump. (if there is a lump? It sounds like it's all of your boob that's sore)

1. Maxdose iboprofen. This will actually help reduce the inflammation.

ABs will sort it, but will upset your LOs stomach, and be unpleasant, so if you can sort it without ABs, it's best to. When I had a situation like this, the GP gave me a scrip for ABs and told me to fill it in 24 hours if I hadn't cleared the problem by other means. (I didn't end up using the scrip.)

[notsolilKel]

Sympathies here too.

I defo second Skirmish. Mastitis can quickly become bloody unbearable - best get the ABs and have them to hand if needed! Believe me if it doesn't clear v soon itself (by 'feeding through it' etc) it can get so bad, you won't be able to get to the GP without wanting to die. Seriously. Might be a PITA now to get there with kids etc but much, much worse later...

Hope you can get rid of it soon - was such a nightmare for me!

[Jaysecond]

NQC, i thought i might be able to shift it without ABS as it has just strated up. I have fed twice on the same boob, bloody agony, but hey not as bad as giving biorth to an 11lb boy on G&A only, so i grimaced and went through with it, guess it takes a while befor eit clears, if it clears so as its still sore i am off to docs at 11 30 see what he says.

Thanks all

[Jaysecond]

Thought id let you know. Went to the docs and by the time i got there my boob had gone from clear skin to red skin. It looks like the map of England, just in red! Doc gave me AB and suggested i take them asap so as to avoid any further issues. I got some iboprofen. So hopefully in a cpl of days it will have gone. Strange how it happens so quickly!

[ChrissyJ]

HI Jay hope you're feeling better. I had mastitis a few weeks ago and the ABs did the trick really quickly. They did upset DS's stomach tho so be prepared for a few grouchy days with your DC.
My GP said that left untreated it can become an abscess which can deform your boob so def right thing to get the drugs imo.

[jeangenie]

good, hope you feel better soon

[Jaysecond]

also found a SAVOY cabbage... going to use that well!!