do I need to see a doctor if I think I have mastitis?

[ginger2000]

Am not keen on antibiotics as DD2 has a dodgy enough belly but I am pretty sure I have mastitis. Top tips for getting rid without anitb's???

am just off to have a warm bath to see if that helps!

Ibuprofen (take max dose if you are OK with it for 24 hours) plus all the other advice as mentioned by bedlambeast.

I saw off a few bouts of blocked ducts which were progressing to streaky red breast symptoms with that combination, without having to resort to antibiotics.

Read somewhere (possibly Jack Newman site) why the anti-inflammatory therapy with ibuprofen works - sorry can't find link at the moment and typing one handed balancing DS2 on shoulder.

HTH

thanks guys - bath helped and massaged quite a bit out.

wasn't sure ibuprofen could be taken when bf? will give that a go too.

was a bit worried that by expressing, i would make more and start a vicious circle - is this not the case?

expressing is useful after a feed, to ensure the breast is emptied (if you're worried that LO isn't doing it for you) and to help unblock ducts. If DD is less than 6 weeks then expressing is a concern because it can lead to increased supply (though takes a few days). The best thing for your breasts is DD so you could put her to breast more often and then judge for yourself whether you feel you need to use the pump as well.

Though if you get to the stage of feeling flu like, then I'd visit the docs. Just because you get a prescription doesn't mean you have to use it. You can also look up the relevant section on Kellymom

The risk from untreated mastitis is that it develops into an abscess: that would be Not Fun.

If it becomes painful or you start running a temperature, then the doc is probably the best thing to do.

Thanks climber - that makes sense about the expressing(I reckon this is all connected with me trying to get dd to take a bottle as mentioned on my other post that you commented on as well)

Don't think I have a temp but am still in pain so will see how it goes tomorrow before going to GPs on monday.

back to the massage ....