Red line of mastitis - do I need antibiotics.

[spaghettisue]

Am still bf my 15 month old ds. Woke up today with one sore breast - felt engorged, but was still painful after ds fed. Has been painful all day and noticed tonight in the mirror there is a red line on the breast.

I know the red line probably means mastitis - I've had it once before with one of my other children - and was given antibiotics then.

Does anyone know if it always means having to take antibiotics? It's hard for me to get to the doctors tomorrow and then it's the weekend when the surgery is closed.

The breast is not as sore this time as it was when I had mastitis a few years ago, and I don't feel unwell.

If I need antibiotics, I'll go get them, but just wondering if anyone knows when you need them/when you don't.

[JuniperTisane]

Do you feel well? Mastitis infection makes you feel fluey. I would go with managing the symptoms for now and ring surgery in the morning. You don't want it to turn nasty over the weekend and have nothing for it then.

[JuniperTisane]

Oops just reread and you say you feel well. See how you are in the morning, keep the breast emptied.

[LakeFlyPie]

I always got away with anti inflammatory treatment with ibuprofen when mastitis threatened. Max dose if you're ok with it for a couple of days. Hope yours settles down v soon.

[spaghettisue]

Thanks Juniper and Lakefly, I'll try the ibuprofen and go see the doctor if it gets worse.

I don't know if it is mastitis. There is a red line there but it's not agony like the last time I had it a few years ago. It felt like the baby was feeding on raw flesh then! Maybe it's just blocked ducts this time.

[Soleurmange]

Ibuprofen, massage boob where the lump is, keep the boob drained. Keep feeding of the infected boob. Worked for me without antibiotics. Hope you feel better