How to avoid mastitis when baby sleeps longer through the night?

[DoTheFandango]

Hi, my baby is 7 weeks old and I have just recovered from a bout of mastitis. I think it happened because she slept from 6.30pm till 1.30am that evening. Whilst I am so pleased that she is sleeping for a good stretch in the evening, I am worried about getting mastitis again. I'm wondering how people avoid this as their babies begin to sleep for longer? If I express at (for example) 10pm,when I go to bed, will I just be encouraging my breasts to make more milk and then increase the likelihood of engorgement/mastitis if I don't express? I am really confused and don't know what to do! Any advice very welcome!

Hi
Your breasts will regulate themselves it can be an uncomfortable experience while they get used to it but they will 😁 i had mastitis too but haven't had it again since x

Your body will adjust. If you have any discomfort or painful lumps, you could express a small amount (enough so you're comfortable, but not necessarily a full feed) or massage the lumps in the shower or both. Really though you shouldn't just get mastitis from one long stretch of sleep. It's because a duct gets clogged and bacteria is introduced (often, not always from nipple damage). Engorgement or a clogged duct in absence of an infection though shouldn't cause mastitis. I had it twice before with my first, but she was feeding at least every 3 hours. It was because she was struggling to empty my breasts and I had a bleeding sore where bacteria must have gotten in. Excepting all that, your body should adjust but you can always express for comfort.

Your body will adjust. And, without wanting to be negative, the longer stretch of sleep may not last long (bitter experience speaking here ).

Heat pad and a little minor pumping helped me.

Express only if you absolutely have to and your body will adjust. Even then, hand express in the shower or in a muslin just to relieve pressure and no more or you will be encouraging more production.

Alternatively, if you wanted to have a little stock of expressed milk in the freezer, that would be a good time to express.