Milk supply during a bout of mastitis

[mardarse]

Hoping some of you will have some words of wisdom for me.

I am on my second day of antibiotics for a bout of mastitis, feeling much better but worrying that my supply in the (very sore) affected breast has dwindled somewhat. I have kept trying to feed 17 week old DS throughout, though he has been fussier at the affected breast - not taking much or just chewing my nipple and chatting at me. I am not sure if that's because the milk tastes different at the moment or because there's not as much there and he keeps "running out". He feeds normally from my "normal" boob. I guess I'm worried that if he keeps this up then my supply really will be affected.

I'm hoping this is temporary and wondering if it's common. If I keep offering DS the breast and perhaps attempting to pump after each feed, will this be enough to increase supply or once it's dwindling - is it that it? Does skin to skin have any effect at this stage? I know my Mum "lost" her supply at 17 weeks and I would love to keep mine up and feed to a year.

Any advice from you lovely ladies in the know?

Even if your supply dwindles in one breast mard I'm sure it will be only temporary so please don't worry too much.

Just wondering if you've read this on Kellymom and do you go to a Breastfeeding Support Group? Just wondered if you had spoken to them about your concerns over your supply .

The milk tastes salty from the affected side when you have mastitis rather than really sweet. It'll hopefully get better quickly hopefully now you're on antibiotics. Keep expressing and offering that side - sometimes they will take it more readily if you offer it first when they're hungry. Draining the milk from that side by expressing will help you get better faster too. Your supply will recover, don't worry. I used to get mastitis loads on one side, and in between bouts it was my 'best' boob :)

Thank you both for your replies. The taste might be what he's fussing over then. Will keep offering and expressing to keep things going. I haven't been going to a support group but there's one on tomorrow which I was thinking about going to but you've helped me make my mind up to go. Purple, it's my best boob too and the one DS favours. :)