Reduced feeds now have mastitis

[sharond101]

I express all my babies milk for medical reasons and recently DH and I decided it was time to cut down the expressing to give us more time together as a family. Over 3 weeks I have reduced from 8 to 4 sessions per day. This week howeverI have been unwell with nausea and vomiting, hot and cold chills and a tummy upset. Tonight my left breast became very sore and is swollen and inflamed. I think this is mastitis and wonder if this is because I have cut the feeds down. How do I cut out the pumping sessions without this happening. I will see Dr tomorrow for treatment but Iam more concerned about the longer term issue of ceasing to express.

Sounds exactly like mastitis to me. I've had it twice this time round, Once when I decided to reduce the number of feeds offered, and again when weaning. Treatment sorted it out promptly, and I think the key to avoiding future episodes is to cut down very gradually indeed. Babies are generally more efficient than pumps at properly emptying breasts, so you're at greater risk of mastitis. When I've cut down with previous babies, I've successfully avoided mastitis by cutting down slowly to once a day, then once every two days, then once every three before stopping completely.