Mastitis at 6 days?

[Sharksandfishes]

DS2, been feeding well, although only for short sessions (DS1 would only ever feed for 10-15 mins). Milk came in at 3 days, he was weighed yesterday and has put on weight.
Today my boobs are ready to burst! He is only feeding every 3 hours today and tonight I'm shivery, achy and weepy. Just had a hot bath and used hot flannel to express a bit but I've got a sore patch on the side of right boob.
Have just given a massive feed on right but now other boob is leaking and he won't take any more.
Didn't have any problems with DS1 so not sure what to do?!
Help! Feeling v weepy and on the other side of the world with not much support

Poor you - I had mastitis at 6 days as well - it was awful. I ended up needing antibiotics.

Do you have any other pain anywhere?

You can take ibuprofen for the pain and the temperature. Rest plenty, take the baby next to you and need as much as possible and feed in different positions.

If you can't see a doctor today, make sure you see a doctor tomorrow, and in the meantime phone your midwife.

Can I take ibuprofen? Kind of assumed I couldn't. I've had some paracetamol. Will call midwife in morning if no better.
So annoyed, i was doing so well

I would say you might need antibiotics. The shivering and aching and sore boob sounds definitely like mastitis. It's AWFUL - 'Ive had it a couple of times and the only thing that got rid of it was antibiotics. Try to get it sorted asap as sometimes (very rarely) it can escalate if not treated.

Do you have a walk-in emergency clinic? You say you are on the other side of the world so not sure what your options are - emergency doctors, A&E, or chemist etc.

I know it's a pain when you've got a tiny baby but it's definitely a good idea to try to get it sorted out. The first time I had it I think I rang my out of hours emergency doctor and they faxed a prescription to the 24 chemist nearest me. I remember my DH driving us all to Streatham at midnight, me crying and shivering. Awful! But the antiobiotics worked really fast after that.

Try and express some milk by hand to take the pressure off the boob - this crazy milk overproduction will all settle down soon as your boobs get used to the whole feeding thing - it's all a bit haywire at first.

Also paracetomol and ibuprofen.

Don't worry! You'll feel better in no time. It's like having flu with all the shivering etc - not nice. And on top of that the new baby hormones, emotions and exhaustion. It's not nice, but nothing to worry about.

Lots of love and hope you feel better xxx

I took ibuprofen, after giving birth for the after-pains, and also for mastitis.

I really would recommend that you speak to someone today, even though it is sunday. You have so recently given birth, it's best to get a medical opinion as soon as possible.

Despite taking antibiotics and ibuprofen, I carried on breastfeeding with no further problems.

It's 7.30pm here so not sure of my options. He's now having another massive feed so will give it am hour and call mw, she's on call 24 hours.
Feel less shivery now I've eaten something

The midwife should be able to advise you.

Oh and congratulations on the birth of your ds2

Lots of self help things here that you can try to see if they help clear things up if you can't get hold of anyone medical (you can also use them alongside anti-biotics to clear the infection faster).

Congratulations on DS2 and hope you feel much better in the morning.

Thanks. Feeling a lot better already, hoping not to get antibiotics as I'm really susceptible to thrush so don't want to set off a whole new problem!

That's good news, no harm in trying the self help things especially the having a warm shower one as that can help you let down without having to touch already sore breasts (letting the warm water run over your breasts and thinking 'baby' thoughts can trigger a let down without too much effort ).

I think I did get thrush and the cream didn't help much, so my doctor gave me a course of tablets, which were fine to take while breastfeeding. I was lucky to have a GP who had breastfed her children so knew the medications that were safe.