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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

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Original poster

Please help - Mastitis? I'm not really coping.

19 replies

Marcheline · 19/03/2013 15:24

I feel absolutely horrendous. Hot and cold, shaky and really achy with a horrible headache. My mum has amazingly come over and has the baby while I am just feeding and then goig back to bed, but I've been feeling worse and worse all day.

I've always had a LOT of milk and problems with engorgement and a fast flow, but haven't felt like this before. Though it's entirely possible that I just feel like shit and am really run down.

I suppose I just want a bit of a whinge while I have a little weep.

DD2 has been rather out of sorts too, very fussy and distressed / vomiting a lot. I think the milk is rather too fast for her and gives her terrible wind.

Can someone please tell me it will get better? What can I do? I just feel like giving up and am terrified of PND rearing it's ugly head.

OP posts:

Original poster

Marcheline · 19/03/2013 15:26

So sorry, just read that back and it's just a load of self indulgent whining!

I feel like I should be coping better than this, it's a bit pathetic really.

OP posts:

stargirl1701 · 19/03/2013 15:26

It sounds like mastitis. Please call your GP now and speak to a doc or a nurse practitioner. You need antibiotics. And, lots of rest!

Original poster

Marcheline · 19/03/2013 15:27

If I keep draining my breasts could it clear up? I never got it with DD1.

OP posts:

stargirl1701 · 19/03/2013 15:31

You need to do both. I have only had infective mastitis which is a little different but you need to clear the blockage. Massage in the shower may help. Kellymom online might have more ideas.

Someone else, with more knowledge, will be along shortly. Make the call in the meantime.

marzipananimal · 19/03/2013 15:34

It can clear on its own but as you're feeling so poorly I'd get antibiotics. Have a look at the mastitis page on kellymom.com Take paracetamol and ibuprofen and rest as much as poss. Also have a look at kellymom for dealing with oversupply.
You have my sympathy. I'm an experienced mastitis sufferer and it's grim, but ABs work quickly so you shouldn't have it for long

pramdunce · 19/03/2013 15:38

Get an urgent appointment, don't wait. Even call the ooh doc. Mastitis is horrible and you'll feel very unwell without antibiotics.

Original poster

Marcheline · 19/03/2013 15:38

Thank you, I'll call the dr. Was feeling a bit silly about it all, like o was being melodramatic. But if ABs are the way to go, I'll get them tomorrow.

OP posts:

stargirl1701 · 19/03/2013 15:39

You really need them today.

Original poster

Marcheline · 19/03/2013 15:39

ReAlly pram? Is it that urgent? Had no idea. Will call now and try to get past the dragon receptionist.

OP posts:

sleepyhead · 19/03/2013 15:42

You also need to start taking ibuprofen now. It's anti-inflammatory so does more than just act as a pain killer, plus continue feeding regularly, plus if you can identify a blocked/inflammed area on your breast you might want to start acting to try to drain that - hot/cold compresses good, also combing the breast.

But yes, doctor this afternoon.

sleepyhead · 19/03/2013 15:44

Btw, if you can't identify a sore/blocked area it could be that you have a bug that's not related to bf, but as you are bf and have had problems with oversupply it's absolutely right to err on the side of caution.

stargirl1701 · 19/03/2013 15:44

With my infective mastitis I ended up in hospital for 8 days on 3 different IV ABs. I didn't realise how ill I was and it developed into blood poisoning.

marzipananimal · 19/03/2013 15:46

Yes I've called OOH doctors before for mastitis. The sooner you start taking ABs the better. Just be aware that you are supposed to get 10-14 days worth of tablets. Lots of GPs don't know this and only prescribe 7 days

TantieTowie · 19/03/2013 15:47

Antibiotics is definitely the way to go - you'll feel like you've got flu till you have them and it'll only get worse overnight. Go to the doctor now and you won't end up at an out-of-hours clinic (like I did!)

pramdunce · 19/03/2013 15:48

Ive had it 4 times with 2 dc and twice called the ooh. The first time I had it I was actually delerious They'll definately see you today

RedKites · 19/03/2013 15:57

Kellymom has advice on when antibiotics are required (as well as other things which can help). When I have told my GP receptionist that I am a breastfeeding mum with mastitis symptoms, they have agreed that it is urgent and got me a same day appointment, so hopefully yours will be sympathetic.

Original poster

Marcheline · 19/03/2013 16:03

Thank you all, I phoned straight away and am waiting for a call bakck from the GP. I have two sore areas, in the same place on each breast (underneath armpit) so mastitis seems likely from the info on Kellymom.

Really hope I get a call back soon, I imagine they shut at 5pm and it will take 15 mins to get there.

OP posts:

stargirl1701 · 19/03/2013 23:32

I hope you are feeling better OP.

INeverSaidThat · 19/03/2013 23:50

Hope you have you AB's now (if that is what thedoctorsaidyou needed )
I got mastitis each time I started breastfeeding and each time I stopped. So six times . I never had any other problems with breastfeeding so itdidn't putme off but, I knew, the second I started to feel ill I would get AB's as a matter of urgency. Usually I am a stoic, never visit the doctor type of person but for mastitis I seemed to need drugs.

Here are some get well flowers

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