Can mastitis seriously start this quickly?!

[sometimesyouwin]

I've felt fine all day. Came up to bed with my 6mth old DS2 at 8:30. lay down and noticed my left breast was slightly sore. Thought here we go again (had it 3 times back to back through September!!)! Went to sleep for all of 2 hrs before he woke up and breast felt twice as sore. Got up and felt like crap immediately and now sat in bed feeding and shivering my arse off, aching all over! This has happened before. Can it really develop that quickly?! I really don't want antibiotics again. Do aches and shivers mean it's definitely an infection or can a blocked duct cause these symptoms? Don't know whether to see GP in the morning or wait it out a couple of days. I'm beyond sick of all this! I've been constantly ill for the best part of my maternity leave and feel so tired and run down (I have a non-sleeper for the 2nd time round). I fed my first DS1 until he was 2 and wanted to do the same for DS2 but don't know how much more I can take. Sat here in tears. DHs only helpful comment was "you know you're going to have to give up breastfeeding don't you!')

[nilbyname]

You poor love! And your dh is being a twat!

It can and is by the sounds of it has come on quickly. Go see the gp tomorrow.

Hot compress in the bath was my saviour and I massaged and used the electric pump too. Mastitis is bloody horrible.

Take 2 paracetamol, a slug of red wine and try and get some rest.

My ds was ebf until he was 2, my dd got 9 months, and then formula. It was the right thing to do for our family (both kids were horrendous sleepers) but I get that the idea of sting is sad.

[porcito]

This happened to me last week. Within an hour I'd gone from ouch to shivering etc. Lots of soft massages in the shower, fed baby lots from that side and used hot compresses all night.

The next morning the doctor said it was the start of mastitis but hadn't turned into a full blown infection as my temperature wasn't high enough so antibiotics weren't necessary. Paracetamol and rest (easier said than done!).

Mine had improved vastly by the second night. Hope yours does too!

[sometimesyouwin]

Thanks guys. Managed to see GP yesterday morning who was pretty sure infection had set in so prescribed antibiotics. The shivers have died down but the redness on my breast is still getting worse . looks like someone's dipped the bottom half of my boob in tomato ketchup! I started the antibiotics yesterday morning so guess I should some improvement soon? Just so scared of getting an abcess or something. I've tried massage, heat and dangle feeding for the last 2 days but no improvement. I'm not getting much rest with a baby that doesn't sleep and my almost 4 yr old running round. Hate being ill!

[nilbyname]

Oh love, rotten stupid mastitis.


I really hope you feel better soon. Formula is ok you know xx

[stargirl1701]

Run the hottest bath you can tolerate. Submerge the breast and massage. Hand express under the water. Jump out and feed, feed, feed. Repeat...

Good luck OP!

Soya lecithin can help prevent a reoccurrence.

[DieDeutschLehrerin]

It's horrible. Never had it with DS apart from a minor dose at the end but have had it twice already with DD (5wks). Gel handwarmers have been my saviour. Buy about eight then keep popping one in your bra until it cools, then feed or express down some milk and massage - repeat! Hope you feel betrer soon.

[DramaAlpaca]

Hope you are feeling better today, OP.

Mastitis is horrible. I had it once with DS1 and couldn't believe how fast it went from a sore little spot to full on flu like symptoms - literally in about an hour.

My only advice is keep doing what you're doing - keep feeding, especially dangle feeding, massage the breast and maybe try a chilled, crushed savoy cabbage leaf in your bra. It might or might not be a bit of an old wives' tale, but it's very soothing.

[sometimesyouwin]

Thanks for all your messages. I have actually started to feel better today . The redness has subsided a bit and I'm feeling better in myself. It's such a relief! I think I'm going to give things one more chance before I consider giving up BF. I really don't want to but I need to think about the rest of my family and the effect on them every time I'm poorly. Fingers crossed this is the last time I get it!

[stargirl1701]

Try the soya lecithin.
Glad you are feeling better.

[sometimesyouwin]

Just bought some of the granules to get started on. Thanks Stargirl!

[stargirl1701]

It totally eliminated blocked ducts for me but I turned out to be allergic to it and had to switch to sunflower lecithin.

[sometimesyouwin]

That's interesting Stargirl. I did wonder about the soya aspect as I've had issues with soya mince before etc. I'm quite an allergic person, eczema, asthma. I'll see how it goes for a while first. If I have issues at least there's something I know I can switch to.

[stargirl1701]

Snap! I have asthma, eczema and hay fever. It started after 3 days - swollen lips, itchy eyes and ears. It took a week of Piriton to go though!

[PourMeSomethingStronger]

I had several bouts of mastitis back to back in the same breast. on about the 4th or 5th trip to the GP I saw a different doctor who had much more experience with mastitis and she said it was likely that previous courses of antibiotics had not been long enough to completely knock it on the head. She recommended a course of 10 days at least and that finally cleared it up.