URGENT - red patch - how big? Mastitis?

[CharBell]

Hot boobs yesterday. Two red patches on both boobs today. These are small - smaller than a five pence piece so probably nothing. How big are the red patches of mastitis?

They can be small but they are quite sore to the touch. Have you tried Savoy cabbage leaves in your bra between feeds? Might sound strange but it really helps and was recommended by a midwife. Keep the cabbage in the fridge so they cool the sore spots too and you just take them out when they've gone all floppy! There's an enzyme in it that helps with engorgement and therefore mastits. The other important thing is to keep feeding even though it may hurt like hell because (you probably know this) but mastitis is caused by blocked milk ducts.

Hope this helps.

Tigger1611

Feed baby as much as you can as mastitis can develop very quickly from a blocked duct. Is it painful when feeding?Can you feel any hard lumps?Hot flannels are good and lots of massaging!

The day my milk came in, my boobs went all red, hot and blotchy. I showed the midwife, who showed me how to put hot flannels on them and massage down towards the nipple to get some milk out. Also try to express, or just get your baby to feed, as it disappeared for me within 24hrs from doing these things. The midwife said to keep checking my temperature, as if it went up, I'd have had to get the emergency GP out apparently. Good luck!