mastitis

[katzguk]

think i've got it, what can i do other than antibiotics to help?

Poor you Katzguk.
I had it when dd was about 10 days old (now 10 weeks). My wonderful community midwife suggested:

savoy cabbage on your breast (inside your bra)

paracetamol to bring your temp down, and for the pain

warm shower and, with a soapy hand, gently massage along the "line" of the pain towards the nipple - helps clear the blockage

call a homeopath and see if they suggest anything - there isn't one universal remedy, it depends on the detailed symptoms.

FEED FEED FEED the baby!Although I just couldn't bear to so fed from the other side for 12 hours.

I tried all these for about 12 hours but my temp kept going up so I had to get antibiotics which cleared it up straightaway. It can flare up v quickly so I hope you're not in for a tough night.

hth

I think if you have full-blown mastitis, antibiotics are the thing.

That being said, my BFC suggested:

• iboprofen rather than paracetamol, as that reduces inflammation.
• massaging where the pain is, while feeding, while expressing, in general.
• getting the baby to feed a lot particularly with their chin in the direction of the lump. This really worked, I think.

I had the start of mastitis, and managed to clear it without actually filling my prescription.

i think its the start so will give your suggestions go to try to avoid getting it!

Hot bath with v. hot flannel over the sore breast. Then massage, and watch the thick, yellowish, blocked up milk come through. Nice.

Oh, and express loads. And rest as much as you can.

My BFC suggested not giving DS2 any solids, either (he was 11+ months when I got mastitis, for the first time!), but I'm not quite that cruel.

The chin-where-the-lumps-are thing really works, weird though it is to do. I had to feed lying down, with DS2's butt over my shoulder.

thanks! it just blooming hurts at the mo!! the whole boob, just gotta work out which duct it is

rest!! with a toddler and a baby

bless ya katzguk.. glad the stairgate came your way after reading this...... you don't need the stress of a broken stairgate too!!!

I had mastitis and I found it really helped to massage along the line of pain with a hot flannel combo in support of what a couple of posters have said. If you get a temperature I would contact your doctor and look into the antibiotics