Help, recurrent mastitis/blocked ducts

[cluelessnchaos]

I am bfing dc4 12 weeks old. I always struggle to get started but since about four weeks it had all settled down. However last Monday I had the telltale mastitis signs, sore boob, fever, fluee. I got antibiotics on Tuesday, all well and good and felt better quite quickly

EXCEPT this morning I feel the painful lump in my other boob. I have been trying to clear it all day and it is better than it was but still bit sore, so I am still taking ABs from last week and have one day left. Do I need more?

Ds has been dropping night feeds last night went from 8pm to 3 am, longest ever and would only take one side, and I have been preferring the previously sore side, is this what caused the problem this time?

I would try and see your GP tomorrow, they may think you need another couple of days of ABs just to make sure the infection is gone - otherwise it might just flare up again.

You have my sympathy, I had loads of problems with blocked ducts and mastitis with DS.

Very likely it is because he's dropped feeds overnight, but he ought to be taking bigger feeds at other times to compensate?

Hope you're feeling better tomorrow! :)

Thanks, I have all the kids at home tommorow so I may try an phone the surgery to see if I can have a repeat prescription.

Luckily he is feeding frequently tonight, hopefully will clear the blockage by morning

Do remember that a blocked duct doesn't necessarily lead to mastitis and not all cases of mastitis need ABs.

ABs can also make you prone to thrush...which makes you more prone to blocked ducts.

Massage, heat/ice and NSAIDs should help clear a blocked duct and help prevent it leading to mastitis.

If LO is dropping feeds, I'd pump them for now until this has cleared and then slowly drop how much you pump on those feed times.

I have found that going braless helps it clear. Also hand expressing as much as poss from the affected side, pressing on the bit that really hurts (sorry!) to try and get it flowing again.

Good luck, keep him feeding as much as possible x

Well luckily he fed loads last night( I think) and although I have some blocked ducts on both sides now I think it's improving. I am just going to finish this course of ABs and hopefully it will be ok after that. Thanks for all the tips.