Mastitis and antibiotics

[BabyOrSanta]

Can't find the answer to this on Google...

If I have mastitis and am on antibiotics, do I have to do anything else?
I'm emptying the breast with DD and pump but I can't quite work out where the blocked duct is? Will it get better if I don't massage? Or do I have to massage?

I also had this and couldn't feel a blockage, but I still did loads of gentle massage in the hot bath as I just wanted it all to be over tbh. And cabbage leaves, and hot compress before feeds and cold afterwards. Good luck!

Did you just generally massage all over?
I've got showered it and am taking ibuprofen and the antibiotics... I'm just worried I can't feel a definite lump and the breast is red almost all over!

I had two very different experiences. One was a blocked duct and not mastitis: I could feel my breast turning to concrete, and when I massaged and isolated the duct, as it cleared the milk ran free and the breast started to deflate like a balloon.

When I had mastitis, my breast was soft and not engorged, just incredibly red and painful (plus flulike symptoms, chattering teeth, fever etc). Taking the antibiotics cleared it up. I also thought there must be a physical blockage to clear, but there wasn’t.

Hope this helps?

I usually try to clear the blockage if I can feel it, dangle feed and feed as much as possible.

If you can’t feel the blockage then just massage all over, from the back towards the nipple. In the shower with soap I found easiest.

The antibiotics will clear it up though - the massaging is secondary. Just the pumping and feeding and antibiotics will fix it and you’ll feel completely normal in 3 days most likely. Do finish the antibiotics of course because it will come back if not.

Thank you

I don't think I can feed from it as my areola (?) is swollen... is this normal and if so how do I get rid of it?

Then the blockage is probably right there. I know it’s incredibly painful but if you can do try to feed from that breast. Babies are more efficient at fixing blockages than any other method.

I was also advised to lie stomach down in the bath and try massaging a blockage. If it’s too painful to feed then try that but you do need to keep it flowing.

Also for you. Mastitis is just the worst thing ever.

Baby. Have you tried some cold on your breast/areola to help with inflammation, and take regulate paracetamol and ibuprofen? Also hand express to soften the areola or try reverse pressure softening thebreastfeedingcompanion.com/project/reverse-pressure-softening/ if you have no improvement after 24 hours of antibiotics I would recommend another medical review. Hope you feel better soon

I managed to sort of feed DD from that breast. She didn't like it at all and kept latching off and on and crying and generally getting frustrated.

Have also roped DP into massaging as his fingers aren't as bony

I'm on paracetamol and ibuprofen as when I don't take them my fever comes back. I got feverish again last night, took some ibuprofen and woke up with a drenched bed. I had only taken 2 antibiotics at that point so I'm guessing they hadn't kicked in.

How long should I give the antibiotics to work before I worry?

If it hasn’t improved within a day I’d be checking with a Dr. the breast will hurt for a few days but for me the fever always went away really quickly, within 24 hours.

I feel much better today although I had overnight sweats again.

Last night I did something silly/not a good idea. But it worked, I think. I upped the suction on my pump by one click and my milk came out normal and then came out squirting after a few minutes. After pumping my nipple was a little more tender but it settled down and I now have a normal areola again! So I'm guessing that whatever blockage it was got a bit stuck coming out.

I still have tenderness in my arm pit - is this normal? It's next to the tendon thing that connects your arm to your torso (I'm sure it has a proper name...)

Sounds normal to me. So glad you’re feeling better! Antibiotics are so great! And good idea with the pump. Wish I’d thought of that...

If you can stand the pain and bruising and are a special breastfeeding masochist, I would recommend it.
If you are a normal person, I really wouldn't