mastitis?

[Tumtitum]

Anyone have experience of mastitis? I noticed this afternoon my boobs were feeling a bit tender, particularly my left, which also feels ever so slightly engorged (always produced more on my left side). Feeding is not exactly painful but more sensitive. Very suddenly maybe an hour after feeling sore in the boob I started to feel shivery and achey and get a headache. I've taken some paracetamol which has helped a bit but still feel achey. Is this the start of mastitis? And if so do you always need antibiotics or can it clear itself? Any home remedies?!

[BeauGlacons]

And lots of fluids and rest.

[Tumtitum]

In bed now with a pint of squash having to listen to DH doing nap time and stop myself rushing in to tell him he's not following the routine properly!! I guess that's a good sign... If I was more sick I probably wouldn't care less!!!

[Frazzled2207]

Yeah carry on doing what you're doing and if no better see gp tomorrow. If any worse contact out of hours today.

[Tumtitum]

Ok so I had a hot hot bath and massaged my left boob for about 40 mins and a tonne of squiggly blocked milk came out! It was like squeezing the most satisfying spot ever but also kinda gross I'll have another bath later. Will just getting the blocked milk out hopefully be enough to start feeling better?
In other news DH did an amazing job of nap time and got her down quicker than me !

[BeauGlacons]

Sounds positive. Hopefully you have caught it in time to turn it round. Mine had always developed hot red patches by the time I felt ill. The first time I just thought I had flu for 24 hours and didn't feed enough because I thought my boob needed a rest. Baby was only 10 days old and I didn't know any better. Nor though did the midwives seem to. By the following morning I could have sizzled steak on my hot, red boob.

Sounds like you are doing a grand job x

[pocketsized]

Excellent! Hopefully youve cleared a blockage and will feel much better. Keep feeding and massaging and hopefully you've caught it early enough :)

[Tumtitum]

Just seen OOH doc as DH just found out he may have to rush to Ireland for a funeral and didn't fancy being home alone sick with baby! Got antibiotics so hopefully start feeling better soon :) thanks everyone for the good advice!

[BeauGlacons]

You have done incredibly well to keep the patches at bay but if you feel ill, there will be some underlying infection so I think you've done the right thing. Sorry to hear about the funeral.

Good luck - and yes, by tomorrow you probably will feel much better. I usually find the fourth does is the turning point.

I think you've been incredibly brave and competent throughout this by the way.

[Tumtitum]

Thanks :) my DH has been incredibly helpful, basically let me lie in bed all day and dealt with all nap times just bringing me baby for cuddles and feeding :)