Mastitis leading to less milk supply... Help please

[Incapinka]

Morning

Last week i did my back in - as in could hardly walk, sleep, sit and certainly unable to lift DS who at 4.5 months seems to have been filled with lead!

Anyhow this led to very tender, swollen red breast on the Wednesday and by that evening had an attack of the shakes and felt chilly. Felt better after feeding and was prescribed ABs from docs but took the more homeopathic route as the temperature didnt return.

Today (Sunday) breast much better - a bit itchy on the actual tissue but hoping this is a sign of healing as the redness is far paler and the boob far softer.

However had an awful night last night with DS and thought i would pump off the affected side this morning to see what the supply is like. It has halved!! Will this come back through feeding him off it lots and pumping?

Thanks!

[TheBluthCompany]

My supply always dips after I've had mastitis - it comes back in a couple of days. Just keep feeding as much as baby wants and it should be fine.

[Incapinka]

Thanks - my other question is does itching mean healing? As in when your wasp sting is healing it itches - is that the same with mastitis? Thanks

[TheBluthCompany]

Not sure - maybe! I always find the redness and bruised feeling lasts a while, even after the blockage has cleared. According to what I've read (hope this is correct), most mastitis is non-infectious - it's the body attacking milk that has leaked - and so ABs are only useful in that they prevent infection getting in there.

[Incapinka]

Thanks so much for responding - you are lovely! Havent got a temperature or anything so hopefully it is the non infectious kind and hopefully wont become infected. Fingers crossed things sort themselves out. Now off pumping after attempted feeding off that side to try and increase supply. Happy days - just when you think things are getting easier - POW!

[violetwellies]

When I feel mastitis might be lurking I pump on that side after each feed, milk supply doesn't usually drop.