Mastitis with bad latch

[E899]

So I think I may have mastitis in my right breast, it’s a little red and on one side it’s very achey. I know I need to keep feeding through it but he’s got a really bad latch on this breast which makes it painful and I wonder if it’s doing further damage to the mastitis.

Has anyone experienced this and what can I do? I have been applying hot and cold compresses and massaging, also taking ibuprofen and paracetamol.

Have you had any help with the latch on this side @E899? Hope you’re feeling a bit better today too

It’s been confirmed as mastitis so I’m on antibiotics now. His latch isn’t great on both sides, he doesn’t open his mouth wide enough and doesn’t tilt his head back and I’m not sure how to fix this. I’ve tried different positions but he just gets agitated. I’m now expressing from the right breast as I can’t stand the pain from him feeding on there. Don’t want to give up breastfeeding but it’s making me really unhappy as it’s just frustrating. Does anyone have any tips to fix a bad latch?

I had the same problem and it was tongue tie.
Midwife and HV had told me DS didn't have it but they were wrong.
He had a bad painful latch and he fed for hours and hours and hours (because he wasn't efficient) and I got mastitis.
I went to breastfeeding drop-ins and it was missed at the first one but thankfully diagnosed at the second one.
Please go to a breastfeeding drop-in or see a lactation consultant and ask them to check for tongue tie.

For me I found shoving as much boob in his mouth as possible worked.
Others find the nose to nipple technique worked better.
Have you tried both?

Do you access to any local real life lactation consultants or support groups?

www.tongue-tie.org.uk/tongue-tie-information/

Yes, definitely get him checked for Tongue Tie and also go along to your nearest BFing Support Group.

I'd also look at some Dr Jack Newman videos on latching.

It might be worth giving one of the BFing Helplines a call this morning too, to talk all of this through, especially if you don't want to give up

The HV checked and said he didn’t have TT but will definitely get it checked out again. There’s a clinic on Monday which I’m going to go to. I’ve tried nose to nipple but he doesn’t tilt back more side to side and then he gets frantic as he’s not getting what he wants. I’ve also tried squeezing the boob in C and U hold and that doesn’t work either.

Sometimes he opens his mouth wide so I push him on and then he loosens the latch when feeding.

Thank you will have a look at those videos.

@NameChange30 how long did it take for your mastitis to clear?

I can't remember I'm afraid, it was nearly 3 years ago! I think the antibiotics kicked in pretty quickly though. I felt like death until they did.

I tried really hard to improve his positioning and latch with various techniques but he just couldn't it. It wasn't resolved until the tongue tie was divided, after that it was all fine.

just couldn't do it

Hi

It sounds like you're worried about the latch on your right breast, which is painful and you have now developed mastitis.

I'm wondering, have you come across the flipple or exaggerated latch technique? Biological nurturing could also help get your baby back to the breast without causing too much pain.

If you'd like to talk to a peer supporter you can phone the National Breastfeeding Helpline on 0300 100 0212

Some mums find massaging any lumps with an electric toothbrush, as well as warm compresses and dangle feeding/ expressing (on all fours) can help shift a stubborn lump.

Most mums are able to take paracetamol and ibuprofen too, for pain relief.

If you suspect tongue or lip tie, you could try and contact a local group or your midwife for support and information about what to do next.

All the best

I’ve tried the flipple but he loosens his latch when he’s on. Also with biological nurturing I don’t get how he opens his mouth wide enough if he latched on himself? Do I need to support him in anyway or my breast?

I’m unsure if he has tongue tie looking at the symptoms as he has been putting on weight. Or can you put on weight with a tongue tie?

My DS put on weight. He just fed for hours and hours and hours to get enough milk. Plus I was in pain (from poor latch) and got mastitis.

It's weird how some midwives and health visitors don't seem to care about anything but weight gain. Obviously it's important but not the only thing.

Yes, they can definitely put on weight with tongue tie, my DS is living proof. Have a look at this information from Milk Matters.

Sadly most HVs couldn't spot a tongue tie if was glaringly obvious. You really need a Tongue Tue Practioner. I think Milk Matters will do a virtual service

My first had TT and had more than regained weight in the first week and started off at 10lb 6oz

I have to say despite having it snipped it never was completely pain free unlike with my following DC her latch just wasn't quite right.

All mine had cranial osteopathy which magically improved their latch after first treatment. I think DD was getting enough milk efficiently without having to open he mouth wide enough so she didn't bother 🙈

Okay definitely getting TT looked at then! I’m looking into osteopathy too as he had an assisted delivery so may of caused an issue too.

He’s been feeding nearly every hour today, sometimes for 30 mins but I can’t hear swallowing towards the end so I’m worried he’s not getting what he needs.

Health visitors and midwives are not trained to diagnose tongue ties. Sometimes they will spot one when it is really obvious but most will be missed.

My dd had similar problems feeding and was found to have a thick posterior tongue tie. She was putting on weight fine because I have an oversupply and fed her a lot!

You need to see a lactation consultant. Even if it isn't a tie, they will be able to support with positioning and latch issues.

Similar advice. Mine had tongue and lip tie missed by health visitors, midwives and lactation consultant. DC put weight on well. I had multiple blocked ducts/mastitis/thrush. Truly awful. Having tongue tie snipped did help but couldn't treat lip tie. Good luck, you have my sympathy, it's hard!