Mastitis struggling with newborn

[Heyahun]

I have what I believe is mastitis - engorged breast Saturday morning absolute agony - am managed to clear it with warm cloths and feeding

Woke Sunday was really bad again - this time couldn’t get it cleared for a good while - eventually did with hot bad/submerging breast and feeding

I then developed chills and then later a fever and my temp went up to 38.6

Rang out of hours and was prescribed antibiotics that I start taking yday -

Anyone got any tips on how to cope - my husband is back at work - the baby is just over 2 weeks old - I woke up today with a banging headache and still feeling all clammy and crap - just want to curl up and die - baby is being very fussy today thinks she wants to be fed but she’s just going on and hanging out there not feeding at all (she shouldn’t be hungry anyway - she fed for bloody ages already!

I’m feeling so miserable 😭 how long do the antibiotics take to kick in

So sorry - you did not need this! I really hope that the treatment kicks on soon - if it does not, then you do need to touch base with the GP again.

It will pass and you will be able to enjoy your baby. Take care.

It takes a day or so for the antibiotics to kick in.

Could DH take the day off or someone else come over to take the baby off your hands and let you rest? Mastitis is horrible :(

I’m going to ask my husband to take the afternoon off! He’s working at hone at least so I’ve been able to hand sleeping baby over to him yday while I grabbed some sleep. He’s in video calls now all morning so on my Own.

I’m so upset today - our families are in Ireland so we have no help. I just wish my mum could be here

It’s awful because it’s ruining g my enjoyment of my beauty newborn :(

So few understand how ill you feel. It is miserable, I had it so many times with my second. It was many years ago so might be standard now but if it recurs you may need a test to ensure you are getting the correct antibiotics for the strain.

It’s unbelievable how awful it is! I keep just bursting into tears. My husband is doing his best to help out and try keep the baby as much as he can! I managed to get half an hour there to have a bath on my own and I’m due another antibiotic now at 10.

Hoping the baby might come back to bed with me for a nap shortly

Sorry no one else has come along with advice. Have you tried other sites such as NCT or La Leche league who have breast feeding counsellors. My ds is now 31! so a long time ago but can still remember what an awful time it was. Are you allowed painkillers?

Oh OP sorry :( It won't ruin the whole time with your newborn, it will only be another day or so you'll feel rotten I'm sure.

I'm sure NHS advice allows ibuprofen which I found really helped. My German doctor was very cross with me about it :o

Definitely take ibuprofen. Now and next time this happens (although hopefully it won't) as soon as you feel the lumps starting. This isn't usual advice but I honestly think this is the best thing to stop it from getting really bad. When the ibuprofen takes the swelling down the blockages clear much more easily. It's rotten isn't it? Hope you feel better soon

That's weird Bertie, do German drs not allow ibuprofen to breastfeeding mums? Do you know why? I've never really thought about it but assumed that as they give it to you in hospital after a c-section it was ok.

Paracetamol reduces fever and pain so make sure you're having that xxx

Yes for some reason ibuprofen is banned during breastfeeding here. It's OK in the UK though, the NHS even advise it for mastitis. So I take it anyway. They can be a bit funny about pain medication in Germany.

I had this loads op with ds1. It was miserable.

I second ibuprofen as anti-inflammatory. You should also feel the benefit of the abs soon.

For blockages, using a comb or even just your fingers to literally comb the skin towards the nipple can help with blockages. Massaging in bath/shower also helpful.

Mine was initially caused by a poorly fitting nursing bra so make sure nothing is pressing on your skin especially when you're sleeping.

Warm compresses are soothing.

And I know it's exhausting when they feed all the bloody time, but your baby will also be brilliant at keeping things flowing and helping to shift blockages so do keep feeding if you can besr it.

Paracetamol and ibuprofen and a heatpack helped me, and do whatever you need to do until DH gets back (chocolate, TV etc!)
I think partners ought to get a special paid leave entitlement for when new mums get mastitis and they are needed at home!

When I had mastitis it was because DC had tongue tie and wasn't breastfeeding effectively. I felt awful! The antibiotics should kick in though so hang on in there. Apparently it can help to put cabbage leaves in your bra! And I would gently hand express in the shower to relieve the worst of the engorgement.

Hi all! Thanks for responses/advice

Good news is I feel heaps better this eve - each antibiotic I took I felt slightly better - my husbands boss told him to take the rest of the day and tomorrow off to look after us (she had mastitis before and was very sympathetic) what a hero!

So I had some help with the baby after all thankfully - he managed to have baby for a few hours and I got a nice nap.

Not 100% but not as hopeless now.

I’ve got a video call with lactation consultant tomorrow.

My friend suggested filling a disposable nappy with hot water and putting it on boob for relief- it worked a treat actually!

Hope Tomorrow is a bit better

Good news, glad you are on the mend.