URGENT help for mastitis please!

[madmomma]

So the evil pain in my breast has just been diagnosed over the phone as mastitis. Husband gone for antibiotics but am in a pickle over what to do re feeding. 8 day old baby is mixed feeding, and I am trying to wind down my supply to about 50% of what she needs, and give her the rest as Ffeeds. So I don't know whether to feed from the lumpy boob, or whether that'll cause me more problems by overbuilding my supply?? Any advice?

Def feed from lumpy boob it will clear the infection. Worry about winding down supply if that is what you plan to do when you are well again.
Hope it improves soon. Also try laying face down in a warm bath.

Continue feeding as you would off alternate boobs, it will help the mastitis. If you stop feeing from that boob then it will likely make things worse. Get your H to buy a cabbage for your bra while he's out and keep taking paracetamol and ibuprofen.

Thanks for speedy reply. Do I turn my head to one side in the bath to breathe, or just hope the end comes quickly?

Sorry you're in pain madmomma- maybe you've tried to add too many bottles too quickly? (I know from your other thread that you've been suffering).

Here is the kellymom link about mastitis. Rest as much as you can and also try and massage the lump through. Some people use a wide toothed comb placed in warm water to massage too.

Hope things get better soon - oh and yes, don't forget to breathe in the bath !

Yes breathing is quite essential

Hi chick
Savoy cabbage, put in the fridge and when its nice and cold get it in your bra - amazing! I lived for about 3 weeks with savoy in my bra! Deffo feed from lumpy boob, bite throught the pain in no time the milk will equal out and you will be ok. Maybe try more breastfeeding to get your milk sorted before you do bottles?

How are you feeling today madmomma?

I really recommend you get some high dose acidophillus ("good bacteria") tablets from the chemist, and take them for the next few weeks. The cruel thing about mastisis is how common it is to get thrush afterwards because the antibiotics kill off your good bacteria and make you very susceptible. Watch your latch very carefully, because if you get thrush and have cracked nipples the thrush bacteria can get into your milk ducts and this is very painful. Also avoid using lansinoh and other nipple creams for a while because the moist environment makes a good breeding ground for thrush.

As someone who has had thrush with both babies (once after mastisis and ab's once after post birth ab's) I dont understand why doctors dont forewarn you of the risks and help you avoid getting it. 'Tis nasty stuff and prevention is easier than cure.

Eating bananas and onions and garlic (but not together ) is good too because the good bacteria feed off them and grow. Eating lots of sugary things is bad because the thrush bacteria feed of that (sorry)

Hope you feel better soon - for what its worth combing my boobs (any comb will do) while in the bath and during feeds really helped me get the lumps out.

thanks v much. Feeling lots better today after all night breastfeeding & a few antib doses. Will def get some probiotics tomorrow.

That's good to hear.