Mastitis - do I need to go to the doctor or should I wait to see if feeding makes it better?

[bytheMoonlight]

Pretty sure I have mastitis, my breast is tender and sore and I don't really want to feed from if - although I am.

Last night I had the shivers and then was boiling hot with a blinding headache and I ache like I have the flu.
Today I am so tired.

Should I book an appointment this afternoon or wait and see if feeding heals it.

Also, at the moment should I always feed from the sore breast first or feed as normal?

[tomhardyismydh]

book an appointment. asap. it can get serious if left and very painfull.

[bytheMoonlight]

Will do, thanks

[NoTeaForMe]

Get to the dr, you need antibiotics. I had mastitis and it is horrible, I can't imagine it will heal without a bit of help and even if it will you want it to go as quickly as you can and that means antibiotics.

I was given bad advice re feeding but I think the correct advice is to make sure you always feed off that side, if you can offer it first then even better. Am sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong.

Hope you get better soon.

[tomhardyismydh]

hope you better soon.

[rubyslippers]

Try to feed from the affected breast

It can hurt though - warm flannel on it can help, cabbage leaves, and some paracetamol

Deffo get an appointment

[TheSleepFairy]

Yes you do need to see your doctor.
You should try & feed aas normal & it's important that you empty the infected breast, if it's to painfull to feed then you could express the milk.

Hope you feel better soon, I had mastitis & it was horrible.

[tomhardyismydh]

this may relive it momentarily but will not get rid of the infection

[marzipananimal]

mastitis can get better without antibiotics but it would be worth getting some on standby in case it doesn't. kellymom has a useful section on dealing with mastitis and when ABs are needed.

If you do get prescribed ABs you should be given 10-14 days of tablets (usually 500mg flucloxacillin). Some GPs don't know this and only give 7 days worth.

[bytheMoonlight]

I've booked the appointment, although after reading the link I might have booked too early.

[MrsGangly]

Go get the antibiotics. You can leave the prescription until you want to start taking them if you want, although having had mastitis twice, I would take them straightaway.

[CamperFan]

if you are going to take the ABs, get strong probiotics!

[Greeninkmama]

The best thing to do with mastitis - or any breastfeeding problem - is to take it as a sign you are doing too much. Go to bed for 48 hours if you can, feed as much as possible, keep fluids up and rest. I got rid of mastitis twice in this way - but I hadn't got to the flu stage. That said, I would definitely get the antibiotics so that you have them to hand if you feel yourself go downhill. Much better to go to the doctor's early so you have all options available. Good luck.

[bytheMoonlight]

I have got antibiotics, decided to send dh to the chemist so I can take them straight away. I have a toddler and a 3 wk old so bedrest is only an option when dh is home from work, I need to get better quickly as today has been hell looking after dc and feeling like this.

Is it essential I drain the breast after a feed or can I try and just make sure DD has a full feed from it?

I can use my breastpump to make sure my breast is drained after each feed, but I need to wait till I have bought new bottled for it ad I threw the ones I used with dd away, do I have to throw the milk or will it be ok to feed dd with? Is it ok to pump when DD is only three weeks?

Also the link above says to wake DD every two hours for a feed, which I have been doing since I read it, do I have to do this throughout the night as well?

[marzipananimal]

I wouldn't do it at night too, I think a good sleep is more important for getting better. Are there any lumps in your breast? If so it's important to shift them by massaging and feeding.
You can feed your dd the expressed milk but there's probably no need to express unless your dd isn't mostly emptying the breast (impossible to tell when a breast is completely drained IME).
Can you get someone to look after your toddler for a bit? There's no way I could have coped with a toddler when I had mastitis!
Really hope you feel better soon