mastitis / antibiotics / thrush

[WilliamItWasReallyNothing]

Hi - I've developed mastitis over the last couple of days and have been trying to bring it under control with hot compresses etc. The Dr has given me some antibiotics (so I can use them this weekend if necessary without having to visit a dr again over Christmas) but I'm worried that if I take them I will get thrush which may be more difficult to shift. I don't have a temperature at the moment so don't have to take them yet but was advised to if the mastitis didn't improve within 24 hours.

So, how likely is it that I will get thrush from a course of antibiotics? Has anyone got any experience of this?

I really don't need any more breastfeeding problems - we've made it through cracked nipples & tongue tie only to get mastitis. DS is 5 weeks and I need this to get easier soon!

IS there a particular 'patch' that seems to be clogged up - it might be red or tender? If there is you can try things in addition to the compresses like combing (use a v wide toothed comb or your fingers) in the shower, hand expressing concentrating on that 'patch' after bfing DS to fully drain the duct. Kellymom has some good tips for dealing with mastitis here.

I have had thrush but not after taking anti-bios though (had mastitis once which was stopped in it's tracks by lots of expressing and IV anti-bios [was in hospital and separated from DD3 so not normal protocol] didn't get thrush afterwards).

thanks TruthSweet I will check out Kellymom now. There is no patch as such - just all over red spider veins - and no lump so I guess I need to massage all-over?

Just be gentle and massage to the nipple not away from it. You may find it easiest to pretend breast is a clock-face and work your way round so you cover all the breast.