Think I have mastitis - how soon do I need to see a gp?

[Dinnerfor1]

I'm ebf my 6 week old dd. this evening I started to feel really tired and chilled. When feeding dd I noticed some lumps in my breast that weren't there before.

I'm going to call the gp tomorrow morning, but do I need to ask for an urgent appointment or just the soonest one they have? I actually have my postnatal check on Wednesday, but I don't know if that is leaving it too long?

Also what can I do to help for the meanwhile? I been massaging the lumps when baby is feeding on that side.

[Couldashouldawoulda]

I say ASAP - get some antibiotics and knock it on the head. In the meantime, keep feeding on the affected side, because that helps.

[ReluctantCamper]

Weirdly combing the affected boob with a wide toothed comb got the blockages moving for me, and the fever went on its own. Keep taking your temp if you have a thermometer. If it gets too high seek help! Hope you feel better soon.

[PacificDogwood]

You need to see a dr urgently if you have a fever/rigors/feel unwell (fluey, vomiting etc).

If you have uncomfortable/sore lumpy breasts you may simply have blocked ducts (lots of good advice on kellymom on how to resolve this).

Here is what helped me:

1. Feed, feed, feed - in different positions, ideally baby's chin towards the lump (yes, I did once feed DD4 almost standing on his head, kind of slung over my shoulder with his head down… . It worked ).
   
2. Warm compresses before a feed, cold ones after a feed.
   
3. Firm massage/manual expressing in the bath or under a hot shower.
   
4. Ibuprofen
   

Mastitis develops when bacteria have had a chance to enter the breast and multiply enough to make you ill.
If you are well, but sore, keep going.

I'd contact the GP tomorrow AND seek BFing advice in RL.

[nightshade]

Fluids....anti inflammatory. ...express to move the milk...rest....warm baths ...bit like flu....iIt can and should shift without antibiotics....

[westcountrywoman]

GP first thing. Mastitis can be nasty. Pain aside, it can really drain you; it's a bit like having the 'flu if you get a bad bout. Get some antibiotics ASAP.

Massage the lumpy bits during feeds and also take a warm shower and use the shower head to massage the sore areas and express by hand if necessary to clear the blocked ducts. Don't worry about wasting milk - you'll soon make more!

Just a word of advice. You being on antibiotics may give baby a bit of an upset tummy. Nothing too bad but just be aware that it's probably the antibiotics if they're a bit more unsettled or having nasty nappies. Secondly, keep an eye out for nipple thrush as it's more common after antibiotic treatment. Symptoms include red, sore nipples and white patches in the baby's mouth. If you think you've got it, get treated ASAP (both of you, even if only one of you is showing symptoms) because it's a bugger to shift once it's got a hold.

[Dinnerfor1]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I think if I feel like this tomorrow I'll ask to see gp asap.

I fed dd1 for 2 years and never had any trouble. I think it might have happened because we we're out today and dd2 had a couple of really long sleeps so didn't feed as much.

I'll get combing, massaging and showering and hope I can sort it out!

[Dinnerfor1]

Also, I don't feel as bad as fluey, more like you do when you know you're going to come down with a really bad cold or when you're run down. It happened very suddenly though, at the same time that I found the lumps which is why I think mastitis.

[PacificDogwood]

Info about Ibuprofen and BFing from the Breastfeeding Network.
It's safe to take
Many many HCP now next to nothing about BFing (myself included until I had kids ) and advice is often veering on the side of too careful ("I don't' know for sure whether it's safe or not, so I better say it isn't, just in case").

[YDdraigGoch]

Go ASAP. It took three courses of ABs and then an operation to remove an abscess for me.

[Dinnerfor1]

Thanks for all the advice. I developed a temperature overnight. I called the gp this morning first thing, and all the urgent appointments has gone already! Anyway the receptionist spoke to the doctor and he said I definitely needed to go in. So now I have anti biotics. Luckily I haven't developed an absess.

A message to others - definitely go in if you have any symptoms. The gp said it can get really serious, and a lot of his home visits are to women who've tried to fight through it and have the collapsed and can't get to the surgery.

[measles64]

I had mastitis 14 years ago the midwife said I did not need a Doctor just cabbage leaves fhs. I still suffer with pain to this day have to sleep very carefully moving my right boob gingerly so it does not hurt. I could strangle that midwife. I should have phoned the Doctor. The baby was never able to feed properly on that side again.