Seriously fed up now!!!!

[sometimesyouwin]

So I'm on my second lot of mastitis (right side) in 3 weeks and half way through a second course of antibiotics. I've got to see the doc again on Monday for a stubborn lump that won't go and possible referral to breastfeeding clinic. Now to top it off I've just woken with awful pain in my left breast and am sat feeding in agony whilst shivering my are off and aching all over! What the he'll is up with my boobs?!! I've seriously had enough now, I never had any problems feeding DS1. What am I doing wrong!? Feel like I'm malfunctioning all over the place Not sure what I'm asking, just so fed up now and feel really run down. Anyone else get it back to back like this?

[sometimesyouwin]

• meant to say 'breast clinic'

[rootypig]

You poor thing. No words of wisdom but wanted to offer you sympathy. Have you taken some paracetamol? are you able to eat a little something?

How old is your LO?

[sometimesyouwin]

Thanks rooty. I've had paracetamol but haven't eaten anything as it's middle of the night. My DS2 is 5 months old. can't believe we're starting to have these issues now

[rootypig]

Ah I always used to eat entire packs of biscuits when feeding DD in the dead of night! we lived in a tiny flat, so the kitchen was only ever 4 feet away. Dangerous. If you have the energy to sort it out, I reckon a few mouthfuls of something would help. Toast? def a glass of water or tea.

Has his feeding changed at all? wonder if you could ring La Leche League and talk to a BF counsellor, or if your local health services offer this. Where I lived there was a variety of drop in BF services.

[fruitpastille]

I've had mastitis every 3 to 4 weeks, lost count tbh. It is crap. Switched to formula now at 6 months - just night feed to drop. Hope you are better soon.

[sometimesyouwin]

I used to get super hungry in the night with DS1 but not so much this time. Just absolutely ravenous in the morning. I've been in touch with two counsellors on the phone both of which were lovely but I had already been doing everything they suggested. All out of ideas now. Lying in bed now wondering how on earth I'm going to manage getting up and the nursery run. Husband doesn't drive either so not easy for him to get DS1 to nursery.
Fruit, I really don't want to give up BF but starting to wonder if it might be the better option

[rootypig]

Ok I am no expert on mastitis. None. But thinking generally about recurrent infections I have a couple of ideas. First, have you tried following up your courses of antibiotics with a course of probiotics e.g. acidophilus? Though antibiotics are brilliant for clearing up severe infections, they definitely make you more prone to a new one. I also take garlic when feeling run down - just chop a few cloves (raw) and swallow like pills, there's no odour or aftertaste. It's a natural antiseptic... I find it helps.

I also found this on Kellymom, which is generally sensible. kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mother/lecithin/

[sometimesyouwin]

Thanks rooty, that's all really helpful info! I'd not thought about taking probiotics, but it makes sense that they would get things back in balance. And I've never heard of taking lecithin but it would definitely be worth trying. Do you think it's the kind of thing I'd need to consult my gp about before starting or just grab some from a health food shop?

[rootypig]

I am not a health care professional, so all my advice is totally laywoman. I would personally just start taking both - acidophilus especially, I'd be confident about. Lecithin I have never taken and don't know much about, other than it's essential to bodily function and there's lots of it in eggs! I might start eating a couple of eggs a day - I often do, actually - and see if that helped. They're so nourishing, it's probably not a bad idea all round.

La Leche League mentions lecithin too, five bullet points from the bottom of this list
www.llli.org/faq/repeatmastitis.html

[rootypig]

Oh definitely definitely do the garlic, chuck back 4 or 5 cloves a day for a while. Unless you have any contraindications for blood thinning, which is one of its effects.

[sometimesyouwin]

Thank you! I really appreciate all your help. I felt all out of ideas but now have some stuff to try out and feel positive about. My husband has stayed off work to look after the kids so I can rest which will really help and give me time to do proper hot compresses before feeds and stuff.

[rootypig]

Oh good. Hugs, I really hope you get better. I remember reading somewhere that around 6 months of BF really depletes your body's store of vitamins and minerals - no idea if that's complete guff but I think months of broken sleep and concentrating on a wee one more than yourself can certainly take their toll. Rest, eat well, try to replenish. Good luck!