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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

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Original poster

HELP Mastitis- DD 8 days old

12 replies

fairybubbles · 19/03/2011 18:12

I have seen gp today after flu-like symptoms and large breast, red hot and v painfull.

No abcess identified and antibiotics and pain relief prescribed.

Dp gave a bottle of formula today so I could rest.

I desperatly don't want to give up, we have come such a long way.

If I pump from the infected breast will that keep milk supply up?

DD is still feeding well from good side and very contented.

I'm really scared the advice will be to give up :(

OP posts:

crikeybadger · 19/03/2011 18:41

Is it painful to feed from the infected side?

The best thing to do is to feed from that side as much as you can.

Have a look here for more info from kellymom.

Good luck and hope you feel better soon.

Absolutely no reason why you need to give up.

anonMum2 · 19/03/2011 20:59

Yes, best advise given to me from MN - keep feeding from infected side. I didn't want to as I was hurting so much but did it anyway and so glad I did. But that's because pumping didn't do it for me whereas DS drained the breast really well at the time when he was 1-2 weeks old.

Eachpeach80 · 19/03/2011 21:17

Yes, you have got to feed from it to clear it really. It hurts but will get rid of it quicker than a pump and won't overstimulate your supply which could make matters worse. It's perfectly fine for your dd to drink the milk so don't worry about that.

I find getting in a hot bath and massaging helps, as does using a soapy comb in the bath. You can dangle your boob in the hot water too. Those heat pads are also good if you can send DP out for one tomorrow. But above all, feed from that side.

The abs should start to make you feel better pretty quickly but do be vigilant for signs of thrush...

Congrats on your dd. Hope it passes soon.

Deanna1977 · 19/03/2011 23:07

Fairybubbles. Hope you are not feeling too rough.
I have mastitis too at the moment (DS2). Third day on antibiotics & I am starting to feel human again

Please follow the advice of the other posters & feed from the infected breast. Babies are so much better at clearing blockages than pumps! Will she feed from the "bad" side or is she fussy? If she is - try feeding from the good side in a rugby ball hold for about five minutes, then unlatch quickly & transfer her to the "bad" side. This worked for me. Hopefully it'll work for you too.

Got to go - baby calling. Please post & let us know how you are getting on. Make sure you get lots of rest & keep your fluids up. I am sure when the antibiotics kick in you will be feelng better.

marzipananimal · 20/03/2011 18:55

poor you

I had mastitis when DS was 8 days old too and it was grim but it got better and I'm still feeding him at 6.5 months old.
Feeding from the affected side as much as possible will help you get better quicker. I've had it more than once and got better really quickly if DS was feeding well but one time he was poorly with little appetite and it took me much longer to get better as he wasn't very interested in feeding.

My tips are:
Stay in bed
Warm and gently massage boob before feeding and massage gently towards nipple while feeding if you can.
Cold cabbage leaf or cold flannel on boob after feed is soothing
Regular paracetamol and ibuprofen.
Feed more from the affected side but make sure the other one doesn't get too full

I would avoid giving any more formula as then she will want less milk from you and you'll take longer to get better

marzipananimal · 20/03/2011 19:14

by the way, what have you been prescribed in terms of antibiotics? The NHS guidelines say it should be 500mg flucloxacillin 4 times a day for 14 days (unless you're allergic to penicillin) BUT not all GPs know this - I got 250mg for 7 days and the mastitis came back a few weeks later.
Link here for reference (click on prescriptions on the menu, then Mastitis 1st line)
This is based on WHO recommendations of 10-14 days of antibiotics but I think the NHS go with 14 cos they come in packs of 7 days.

Really hope you get better soon and go on to have months of happy breastfeeding :)

Do post again if you have any more concerns

pinkyp · 20/03/2011 19:49

if you can also drink thes probiotic drinks as sometimes antibiotics when bf can cause thrush which is what happened to me when i had mastitus x

japhrimel · 20/03/2011 22:22

Probiotics are a really good idea, but don't bother with the yakult drinks - they don't contain very high doses of probiotics and you need to avoid sugars when trying to prevent thrush so they aren't a great option. You can get probiotic capsules and powders from any good health food store.

You have got to keep the milk flowing from the affected breast.

Original poster

fairybubbles · 20/03/2011 23:01

Thanks MN's for all the advice. Had tried to feed from sore side but breast is so hard and enlarged she's findind it difficult to stay latched on.

We had DD weighed today and she has lost so much weight we were asked to take her to special care baby unit.

They gave her the all clear but adv v regular feeds and top ups of ebm or formula.

Having weighed up the pros and cons I'm now in 2 minds whether to continue to breastfeed or move her to formula.

I'm on day 2 of antibiotics and although I feel a little better I'm still not right, I've no appetite and feel groggy. I've also got a wound infection from the c-section which doesn't help.

OP posts:

shmoz · 20/03/2011 23:18

fairy oh poor you, it's bloody awful isn't it.

I nearly gave up when I had mastitis, but I persevered and I'm so glad I did...it definitely helps if you can warm the breast before latching LO on.

Are you able to have a day or two in bed with LO, and try to get her to feed on that side as much and as often as possible? Without doubt the best way to clear it is to feed as much as poss and you'll also get some much needed rest aswell.

Good luck whatever you decide.

cluelessnchaos · 21/03/2011 07:13

Ach it's so hard with mastitis and an older babe to look after. Ds2 is 4 months and I have had it once this time but about 10 times with ds1. Have you got sufficient pain relief. I had to keep myself dosed up with paracetomol to keep my temperature down and manage the pain. It really is worth feeding more from the sore side feeding from that side first and directing babys chin to the sore part.

japhrimel · 21/03/2011 08:37

Try expressing before latching on to soften the breast a bit.

Honestly, whatever you decide otherwise, you are best feeding until the mastitis is cleared. If you don't empty the breast, you'll increase your problems.

If your LO can't feed, you have to express from that side. You could then use the ebm for top-ups.

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