Mastitis feeding help

[etienne1]

Afternoon all :)

I was diagnosed yesterday with mastitis... was only feeding my lb 2-3 times a day before this (was trying to cut down as I return to work in 2 weeks).

Now I have mastitis should I try and feed frequently? It's taken about 3 weeks to get down to 2-3 feeds, as previously he fed 9 times in 24 hours. I don't know what to do as I can't express at work and only have 2 weeks :/ tia

You have some protection by law with regard to expressing at work.

www.maternityaction.org.uk/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/breastfeeding.pdf

If you want to express at work as Stargirl says, you are protected. If you don't however then I wouldn't increase feeds but to alleviate the mastits can you hand express? I had it when feeding ds and I turned on the shower as hot as I could manage, aimed it at the boob and hand expressed vigorously, coaxing the blockage out.

Mastitis is an infected milk duct, you need to clear the blockage by lots of feeding you will most likely need medication also. Hope you feel better soon x

I was just about to suggest hand expressing a little bit to relieve the pressure but not increase feeding.

Thanks guy, I'm on antibiotics and have painkillers for when it's bad... I'm hand expressing in the bath when it feels really full but not sure if this will clear it, have also up his feeds, so fingers crossed. I could express at work, it would just be very difficult (I have my own office but due to the nature of my work an open door policy and lots of meetings). If I need to feed him lots to kick this mastitis however, I shall express at work. At this point il do anything to get rid of it!! Have a drs follow up app tomorrow so il see what she says! Thanks guys :)

mrs how did you massage it? Did it work? My attempts at massage seem futile...

Feed feed feed, massage massage massage. ..get that blockage out as a matter of urgency and you can figure out a feeding or expressing plan once it's gone. I would be keeping baby on boob til it feels normal again. Take ibuprofen to help reduce inflammation.

Use a comb to massage it :-)

I suffered a lot from blocked ducts and as soon as I felt one coming I'd get in the shower and comb my boobs.

It works!

Can you help me too? My DD woke from a nap today, she was in a sling on me and I was slobbing out on the sofa. As I stood up to get a drink before settling down to feed, I noticed my boob had gone rock solid. It seemed larger than ever too.
I fed her on it (it was due for the side) and massaged it as she fed. It has gone down but could be a little more firm than normal, it's a bit hard to tell really.
Was this a blocked duct? If I have had it am I likely to have a reoccurrence? And am I now more likely to get mastitis?
Oh god to make it worse she's just pooed all through her sleep suit too :-(

Sorry if its too late but I made a c shape with my hand and put my thump behind the blockage, fingers on the other side of the breast and just sort've tried to push the blockage out toward mt nipple, bit like milking a cow. Really quite firmly.