Mastitis - toddler wont feed off affected breast

[bumbleweed]

Developed lumpy area and severe pain in right boob yesterday and tried to follow the advice of feeding from the affected boob, but
a) it is very painful - dd doesnt seem to be able to latch properly because of the lump and so is digging her top teeth right in
b) she mostly wont feed off that side - prob because the milk is not coming fast and tastes funny (its gone yellowish)
I have tried the massaging but the lump isnt shifting. Have just been to get flucloxicillin from doctor.
Anyone know how long it takes to work? Anything else I can do to try to unblock ducts?

Pump Pump Pump, if little one wont feed from it get pumping.

I know - but hardly any coming out, and now feeling really weak and all shivery

Have you tried applying heat? I've found a hot bath works for me, or a hot damp facecloth etc.

Try lying face-down in a hot bath and combing the boob with a wide-toothed comb towards the nipple, then massaging, then han-expressing. All this while on your tummy in the water.

Take something for the pain as well.

Oh bumbleweed I hope you get over this soon. It sounds like you need to act fast before it gets any worse.

here's what kellymom says about it all

HTH

thanks for the messages - been in bath today and hand expressed a little, then tried with the pump a little later

the breast tissue now feels really bruised

am taking ibuprofen - still agony when try to feed dd on that side, have managed one and a half feeds today

need to try to get a wide toothed comb I guess

hope you feel better soon. i took flucloxicillin a ouple of weeks ago & it has made me feel dreadful ever since. really really nauseous. not what you need on top of mastitis.

Oh Bumble, hope you feel better soon

Really sympathise Bumbleweed - I had Mastitis last week and am still recovering my energy levels - Very important that you feed/express from affected breast (as I am sure you know)- I definately find that warm baths and flannels etc. help with getting flow going but savoy cabbage leaves straight from fridge to bra are the best pain relief (along with ibuprofen) the antibiotics do usually act within 24hrs so you should start feeling better now - but I found myself falling asleep v easily after taking them which is difficult with a toddler and a 9mo to chase after!! Hope you are feeling better - if possible get help so you can have some proper rest

oh thanks for the messages of support , sympathy does help alot when you're poorly

had a long hot bath last night, did the combing thing and then hand expressed to clear as much as possible - it hurt like hell. but in combination with the antibiotics presumably, the boob is less swollen and lumpy today and dd had a long feed off it this morning

the flucloxicillin isnt making me feel nauseous, but yes it did help me sleep deeply last night - fortunately dh has been able to take 2 days off work to look after dd as she is boisterous and wants carrying all the time and I couldnt cope

Yuk, bought it all back to me from last July. I've never felt so ill in my entire life with mastitis, came on quite rapidly and I was in tears for days in absolute agony and feeling so sorry for myself.

But, you are on medication and I think mine (same stuff) kicked in on about day 2/3. Luckily (if you can call it that) my daughter did still feed from the affected breast. I was also given co-codamol (benefits for me outweighed the disadvantages of it going into my milk) with paracetamol.

I think its a matter of 'riding the storm' unfortunately though warm baths and massage can help ease it a bit. I really hope you are feeling better soon.

Hello Bumbleweed

I had mastitis once, i know how awful it can be But, you did the best thing by getting those anti-biotics. For me, they gave me relief quite quickly- within the day. I also say pump, pump, pump! Also, recommend a hot deep bath in which you can gently massage the lump to help it clear. Is good relief for you too.

It is horrible, but now you have those anti-b's, hopefully you'll get relief pretty quick. Keep trying your little one on there too, if she lets you - her sucking will really help!

Good luck & I hope you feel better soon. Echinacha tea could also help.

happy to report that the infection seems to have gone now, and agony has been replaced by discomfort, thank god

blimey it totally zaps you though doesnt it