Permanent blocked 'segment' of breast causing recurrent mastitis - ideas?

[IcouldstillbeJoseph]

when I breastfed DS (now 2.3) I ended up stopping after 7 weeks as I kept getting infected mastitis in my left breast.
This time I was rejoicing as DD is 16 weeks and I've had no problems - until now. Just finishing course of antibiotics - had mastitis in the same breast.

The underside of my breast is so lumpy it feels like a bag of hazelnuts. I have tried hot/cold compresses, expressing (with pump and by hand), different feeding positions, wearing no bra and always feeding her from that side. I can't think of anything else - but I know that as soon as the antibiotics stop it'll only be a matter of time before the mastitis returns.

Any ideas?

Thank you - trouble is, I don't get much warning. In all honesty, I can think "oh my boob is a bit sore" and then within the hour my temperature is sky high, rigors, feel like death etc.
Maybe I am guilty of poor latch in night etc but I'm not aware, been trying hard!
A friend has just suggested acupuncture....

Would be worth talking to a breastfeeding counsellor but you could consider gradually weaning off that breast and just feeding from the good breast?

Diet? Anecdotally reducing saturated fat and salt might help.

Less stress?

Drink more water?

I'd second regularly trying different feeding positions to try to drain it thoroughly.

If it is bacterial, then a mid-stream milk sample sent for culture might be a good idea in case it's not the right ones treating any bug and there's low lying infection that never goes away. That said, most mastitis isn't infection and can be treated well without antibiotics. The temp and redness can be caused by milk in the wrong place leading to inflammation. Even if you can express 'pus' it may just be congealed milk where it's all got clogged up.

Ringing one f the helplines sounds like an excellent idea. Hope it improves for you soon.

Ooh never knew you could do that? (having visions of one giant breast and one tiny one, BF takes me from B cup to FF)