Mastitis and expressing - help!

[JeewizzJen]

Hi all,
I've been suffering with mastitis on both sides for a couple of days now. The antibiotics have started to kick in so I'm not feeling as bad, but I took a day off work today to rest, and sent DS to the childminder as usual.

I would normally express twice during the day at work, and I figured I may need to do it a little more whilst at home today because of the mastitis. I normally have no problems getting perhaps 4oz or so but I can barely get more than a few drops at the moment! Is this normal with mastitis? I'm worried that this is going to make things worse again as I won't be able to feed DS again until late afternoon. I've tried a warm bath but it didn't seem to make any difference.

What should I do?? Do i just keep trying to pump every hour or so and hope for the best? I could possibly go and feed DS but probably only once, and it wouldn't be ideal as he's still settling in so my appearance would be a bit intrusive. Help! I don't want to get worse or get an abscess!

Oh, I'm so sorry you're suffering with mastitis: it's just the worst. I've had it twice, and each time it's caused a temporary "shut down" in the affected breast, meaning that it barely produces any milk. I think that the affected tissue swells up, putting pressure on the ducts and blocking them. Take lots of anti-inflammatories (diclofenac is ok for bf). I found it took me a month to get milk supply back up to the pre-mastitis levels . I also found that it helped a lot to have a deep tissue breast massage to get supply going again - i found a lactation consultant who does them in London, called Ann Dobson. I really hope you feel better soon - very much sympathy. (I think I'm going down with it again ).

Thanks so much for your reply Molly

In my panic (ok, not panic, but concern!) I decided to call the ABM helpline and the councilor was really lovely. She, like you, suggested anti-inflammatories, and also said not to worry too much about how much, but just to try every hour or so for a little while just to keep thing moving. And of course to feed DS plenty on his return.

I hope it doesn't affect supply for too long DS is such a milk monster! I have noticed overnight that when he wakes for milk (which is often) it seems to take quite a while to let down. Fingers crossed his frequency will keep my supply building back up ok.

Very much hope you're not coming down with it - this is my first time (DS in 13mo) and it's been yuk.