Recurrent mastitis - been told to stop b-feeding

[ImpyChica]

Hi all

I've been b-feeding my son for nine months now and it was generally going well. About 5 months ago I got a blocked milk duct that went away without a problem. However once a month since then I've had increasingly worse blocked milk ducts and the last two months I've had mastitis. I went to the docs yesterday to get a course of anti-biotics (the first course I have taken for the problem) and she told me to give up breast-feeding straightaway. She said I'd already benefitted my son loads and I was now risking my health by continuing. She also told me not to feed from the affected breast - which I know is incorrect advice.

Anyway, I am continuing to b-feed as I generally enjoy it and know it's doing both of us good. But I want to avoid these repeated mastitis episodes. I've read all the advice about massaging, chin towards blocked duct etc etc. What I don't understand is why it keeps happening on a monthly basis. What I'm really hoping is that this course of anti-biotics will sort out an underlying problem. Do you think that's possible? Has anyone else had similar experience? I live in Spain and it's a bit harder to find homeopathic treatments and the like (though I suppose I could get some cabbage!). I've tried contacting La Leche league here to see if they have support groups nearby.

I'm also wondering about cutting down on b-feedings - on average I feed DS four times a day. If I cut down to morning and night feeds, do you think I'd still have problems?

Thanks to anyone who finds the time to answer. I know this topic has been covered a lot here.

Impy

sorry, no advice, but a virtual hug you poor thing and well done for bf for 9 months

Hi ImpyChica

You poor thing, sounds horrible. There is a whole load of good stuff here on Kellymom about recurrent mastitis. Hopefully you can get over this soon. HTH

Thanks so much for your kind words, shoppingbags and mawbroon - and the KellyMom link was v helpful - thank you!

A voice of experience here! I was going to give up at 8 weeks but at the breastfeeding clinic at the local hospital, it was ascertained that I breastfed in the same position, therefore only emptying the the same ducts - not all of them.

Try varying your positions that you feed in. Do it ruby tackle, lie over ds dangling your booby, lie on your side. ANYTHING, just to drain the other ducts. I advise this to all breastfeeding mothers (I am a midwife... finally!) and it does seem to work.

I also got an electric pump which emptied the painful blocked ducts.

I also had accupuncture as, after 3 lots of antibiotics, I figured the drugs didn't work.

hth!

If you want to keep feeding and are enjoying it .. do keep on. Agree with oatcake need to empty those ducts that are blocking , by feeding from them... good luck

Thanks oatcake and friendlyedjit! I'll try and vary positions more and see if it helps. Rugby ball position is near impossible as he's such a big lump now! I guess I could get him to sit up and face different ways...

Acupuncture keeps cropping up as a general good cure-all - need to find me a friendly needle-wheedling practioner...

Thanks again for all your support. I knew I could count on you guys. [welled up emotion!]

oh, gosh, don't go all teary!

call the british accupuncture council (or something like that - british council of accupuncturists???) they should have a listing for midwives who are accupuncturists, which is what my accupuncturist was.

it was nice having someone sticking needles around my breast, who knew about the problem.