Mastitis in baby?

[BimbaBirba]

I noticed the oddest thing tonight as I was bathing my 12-month old DS. His right nipple is swollen and red. I did a bit of research online and I read that he could have mastitis due to the fact that he's breastfed? Is this possible and has anyone had any experience of it? Should I worry? He is also running a fever but that could be due to a cough that doesn't shift and we've already been to the doctor's several times for it.

You need to take him back to the GP tomorrow morning (get an emergency appointment) to get it checked as he will need antibiotics for the infection. If his temperature becomes very high tonight then take him to A&E.

I've heard of very young babies getting mastitis due to hormones flying around during childbirth (presumably the same kind of thing that causes them to have swollen genitals when they are born). I've not heard of it in older babies though and not sure how it could be caused by breastfeeding. I would take him to the GP first thing and maybe give NHS direct a call if his temperature doesn't come down.

Thanks for your replies.
What I don't really understand is how my hormones passed through breastmilk can cause the inflammation of his nipples. I've never even had any problems with mastitis or other infections before so it's difficult to see how he would get it IYSWIM.
The fact I feel scared of phoning the doctor's surgery in the morning doesn't help. They were so very rude because I took him in a lot over the past few weeks. I might try to get DH to come with me for moral support.

I also don't see how te fact that he's breastfed could have anything to do with his swollen nipple.

But I agree with others that you should get him checked out.

Sorry that your gp surgery has been so intimidating. Maybe once your Ds is older and you have a bit more time (!!) you could drop a note to the practice manager to share your experiences so they can improve their service.

I had mastitis as an adolescent, it can be related to hormones encouraging growth of that tissue, but sometimes skin integrity reduction (from a scratch) can allow an infection in. Reference here.

The GP's are paid to help you and your child, all the GP's or paediatric A&E staff I have ever seen have always said to me they would rather I brought my kids in and they be fine than I didn't and they were not. Anything less is poor practice, consider changing GP if they are rude and complain. If it the receptionists are the ones being rude then make a complaint, it is not their place to make medical judgements.

Think lioness thoughts, don't be scared, you are protecting your cub :)

Thank you, I really appreciate your support.
His nipple is not red and swollen anymore this morning so I'm not going to take him to the doctor's yet as there is nothing to examine IYSWIM.
I'm desperate to change practice but I'm about to put my house on the market so there's no point really as I would need to move somewhere else anyway.

Hope he stays better (does that make sense - you know what I mean!!).