Mastitis AGAIN!!

[Motherhippo]

I’ve not long finished a course of antibiotics for mastitis in my right boob as baby would not latch properly. It was so painful that whilst the antibiotics took affect I only breastfed from my left boob. I didn’t want it to happen again so have tried alternating breasts. Ironically I now think I’ve developed mastitis in my left breast. After breastfeeding this morning I developed chills and couldn’t stop shaking. I ran a warm bath and expressed from breast as too painful to breastfeed (had me in tears) and took some paracetamol. I still feel crappy but the chills have stopped. As it’s a Sunday my go is closed. Do you think if I keep expressing and taking paracetamol I can hold off until Monday/seeing GP all together or should I ring NHS direct??

I had 3 bouts with my first. Got to 9 months? Felt it brewing again and I just stopped
Oh the relief. No regrets whatsoever.

Second baby not even a hint of mastitis.

What will nhs direct do?

No don’t wait. I would also ring a breast feeding helpline about what to do with feeding from each side. It’s really important to keep feeding from the affected boob.

Might be able to direct me somewhere I can go out if hours ( they did when I had chronic toothache not the same problem but...)

Nhs direct will get you an appointment with out of ours gp

You need antibiotics ASAP, definitely don’t leave it.

I had it 6 months ago and the fever and pain were awful. Keep expressing and feeding from the affected breast, have a look on Kellymom website for some good tips.

Hope you’re feeling better soon.

Incidentally the first doctor I saw gave me a week of antibiotics, I read it should have been two weeks so rang the surgery and they arranged for another weeks worth for me to just pick up from the pharmacy. Mastitis can be a really nasty infection so needs zapping.

Probiotics for you and baby afterwards.

I had it multiple times with both babies. I know it’s incredibly painful try to feed off that side and keep massaging. Definitely call 111 as you will likely need antibiotics and make sure you tell them you’re shivering (rigouring) and feel unwell. You need seen today.

I left it too long and ended up in hospital to have an abscess drained under ga. Call whatever medical option is available in your area.

I had it quite a lot with DD and if you've already had chills and felt the effects that badly I'd ring 111 so they can get you an out of hours appointment. I've left it before and it never gets better on its own/isn't manageable so go asap if I was you xx

Thanks for all your advice. I called NHS direct and got an emergency appointment at the Lister Hospital for later today. I feel like such a failure as a mum that I can’t seem to get breastfeeding right 2 cases of mastitis one after the other . I never thought breastfeeding was this hard

How old is your baby?

My baby is 4 weeks old today

Breast feeding is a skill that you and your baby are both learning. You are breast feeding so you are getting it right. Very, very few people don’t find breast feeding challenging.

I got it twice before 6 weeks. Phoned nhs as was a Sunday and went to out of hours where I got antibiotics. Try hand expressing in the shower. It's so grim but passes fast once you take antibs

You're not failing at anything!!! You're just unlucky with it at the moment, I had mastitis maybe 4 or 5 times over the course of breastfeeding DD until she was about 10 months, and I wasn't failing I was smashing it!!! Just a little extra adversity that's all.
Do you have people to help out a little while you're feeling so rough? Anyone who can come round in the day to help with things or hold the baby while they're not feeding? Hope you got some antibiotics and will soon be on the mend.
I found the Lansinoh (spelling?!) gel packs really useful, the ones that can go in the freezer or the microwave.
AND, if you feel like you know there's a blocked duct somewhere that won't shift with feeding or expressing, a breastfeeding support worker once told me to press an electric toothbrush or a vibrator against the bit that seemed blocked and sore, the vibration can help it to break up once you feed again on that side. Dangle feeding also helped me a little bit, where you lie baby on the bed and like lean over them so gravity helps a little bit too. But of course once it's infected none of those help much, but if you can catch them before it becomes too bad those things helped me a bit xxx

Glad you got the appointment ok. Only tip I got after having it early on with all 3 kids is to lay in the bath with water completely covering you for 5 mins. Then press behind the point where you feel pain. This should then clear the area of milk where it has become blocked. Agree with pp that you needed a longer dose of antibiotics. Hope it goes soon.

I do sympathise. You have already received some good advice, here are a few more ideas.

Try to get the baby to feed from different positions during a feed. It may be that one of the ducts isn’t emptying properly.

Lie baby on a mat, feed by going on all fours (knees and elbows), let gravity help to clear the possible blockage.

Tuck baby under your arm, with her feet under your arm pit and feed.
Again the change of position can help to clear any blockage.

When baby is feeding, gently stroke the breast towards the nipple.

Make sure you wear a nursing bra that isn’t too tight. Don’t wear tight restrictive clothing or a bra with an underwire.

Perseverance is the key. You are not doing anything wrong. I’m sure it will settle down soon.

Do keep trying a couple of different positions, and a different position again for the next feed each time, even after the infection is cleared. Prevention is better than the cure!

Good luck, you will get there in the end!

This is my 3rd baby and I've now got mastitis for the 2nd time with him. Also only just finished antibiotics for last bout. The shivering has begun! Any tips for recovery without using antibiotics?

Sorry ...only just saw MisMap's post.