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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Original poster

mastitus help please - URGENT!

27 replies

RGPargy · 14/12/2007 20:30

hi

am feeling like poo and been advised to hand express milk ect. How long do i do this for? my boobs arealmost no longer hot.

Advice please - feel like crap.

Thanx!

OP posts:
Sparkletastic · 14/12/2007 20:33

Savoy cabbage leaves in bra, hot bath and push out any blocked ducts (bit weird but helps). Are you taking paracetamol / ibuprofen?

ChopsterRoastingOnAnOpenFire · 14/12/2007 20:35

I expressed for pain relief, and once it didnt feel so sore I stopped. I found it helped to massage the affected area at the same time, and sitting in a nice hot steamy bath helped.

My sympathies, mastitus is horrible. It can pass quite quickly though, one of the best things to do is jsut get in bed with your baby. Constant feeding helps clear it. I was delirious and feverish with it but it got a lot better after going to bed overnight with the dts.

suzi2 · 14/12/2007 20:36

If you're still feeling like crap, it's probably still in your system.

How old is your baby? Are you still breastfeeding?

Original poster
RGPargy · 14/12/2007 20:36

paracetomal, yea

how long to massage? til iy goes? bitr late for cabbages lol

OP posts:
Original poster
RGPargy · 14/12/2007 20:38

baby is 9 days. how did i get it? bad bra fit?

OP posts:
ChopsterRoastingOnAnOpenFire · 14/12/2007 20:38

ibuprofen is good, can you take that while bfeeding? I'm sure that is wt I was advised to take, as it reduces inflamation.

ChopsterRoastingOnAnOpenFire · 14/12/2007 20:39

I do think that tight bras don't help, but I also think it is kjust one of those things, and maybe some ppl are more prone to it than others. Ive had it twice.

5goldrings4MONKEYBIRDs · 14/12/2007 20:42

mastitis? or blocked duct? if you have fever, chills etc from an infection you might need antibiotics and might need them quickly I believe but call NCT, BFN, or LLL helplines before they close tonight...

If a blockage and no signs of infection, lots of heat applied (gel pack? hot water bottle?) Feed feed feed on the affected side(s) and express also esp if baby is fussy on that side and won't empty breast. Please don't listen to advice not to feed on that side - you need that suck to clear the block... Apologies if its painful but yup take ibuprofen - should help inflammation also...

Some recommend using wide tooth comb stroked downwards firmly over blockage. Others recommend firm pressure above blockage while feeding. Always found the latter v uncomfortable but did seem to speed up it's shifting for me...

Best wishes with it - is awful!

NortherLurkerwithastarontop · 14/12/2007 20:42

Comiserations - I've had this this week - after breastfeeding three children - dd3 for 8 months so far - with no problems, not so much as a hint of one! You can see I am annoyed with myself can't you.

Basically you need to keep the milk moving - can you still feed off the affected side? Baby will get far more milk out than you can. I fed - then did a bit of hand expressing - gently massaging the sore bit. Dh found this highly amusing - bless him - so I offered to allow him to really enter into the experience by having a sore scrotum - sadly he ran away.

The chills/aching is vile - paracetamol works ok - but you may need antibiotics - good news is - when I started on them it worked very, very fast.

5goldrings4MONKEYBIRDs · 14/12/2007 20:43

I get it from leaning on my breast - eg when leaning over to feed lying down . I don't do it now!

suzi2 · 14/12/2007 20:43

Has everything been OK feeding wise? Baby gaining weight, lots of wet and dirty nappies? Other than the mastitis, have you had sore/damaged nipples?

A baby that isn't draining the breast well can put you at risk of mastitis. So if your baby isn't well positioned and attached then that might be a reason. Bad fitting bras could also cause a blocked duct and lead to mastitis.

I suggest you call one of the helplines - they're all on hunkers blog howbreastfeedingworks.com/. I think some of them are open until 9pm or later.

Sparkletastic · 14/12/2007 20:44

I got it both times BFing - don't think bras had anything to do with it as both DDs were milk monsters so often didn't bother wearing one! If you've got blocked ducts push for quite a few minutes in hot bath, you will eventually feel them decrease slightly. Savoy leaves do help once you've got it - v cooling and magical enzymes. Keep up the painkillers so stop yourself from feeling utterly crap. Feed more or longer from most badly affected side - basically feed your way through it if you can stand to. I feel for you

NortherLurkerwithastarontop · 14/12/2007 20:47

RG - I got it I think because dd is still having a fair bit at night - so milk production still doing well - Sunday was a really busy day for us -fed her off both sides at 5 am, a little at 9 - but only off one side I think, fed at 11.30 - but only off one side - this is where I was stupid - should have been the side that hadn't been used since 5am but wasn't. Next feed was when we got home at 6pm - by which time I felt v full and a bit sore. Fed and emptied breast - but by Monday morning I was feeling discomfort - then feverish that night - GP was my first call the next day!
As your baby is so young I think it's probably just because of the volume of milk you are producing - it's very very easy to feel 'full' at that stage isn't it?

suzi2 · 14/12/2007 20:47

Agree with the others that the important thing is to keep the milk flowing to clear things. Feed as much as possible. Feed from the sore side first - though don't neglect the other side incase it gets engorged! Massage the sore area while feeding (bloody sore IME but helps in the long run). If you know you have a blocked duct, positioning your baby so their chin is waggling near that duct when they're feeding can help - though it's not always practical. erm... will think of some other things! Check www.kellymom.com

Original poster
RGPargy · 14/12/2007 20:49

Thanx everyone. no problems feeding on either side (i think it's on both sides!). No soreness issues or anything either so all is well there. am tempted to think it's my bra coz it's tight and not a feeding bra and sometimes i have just been hoiking it up over my boob and i got pains when i ddi that. wont be doing that again.

OP posts:
NortherLurkerwithastarontop · 14/12/2007 20:51

Oh RG - you need a nursing bra - they are the last word in style and your o/h will not be able to resist them

suzi2 · 14/12/2007 20:57

I have one bra that fits really well, but the position of one seam seems to irritate one side and I keep getting a blocked duct there.

Original poster
RGPargy · 14/12/2007 20:59

having trouble getting one big enough.

OP posts:
NortherLurkerwithastarontop · 14/12/2007 21:00

personal question - size? I'll share mine - 42G

suzi2 · 14/12/2007 21:02

36 J/K for me. The one I usually wear goes to an L or M cup I think if that's any help?

Original poster
RGPargy · 14/12/2007 21:05

measured with bad fitting bra on - 47.5G. Without bra, 47.5A. I dont understand that at all! have saggy boobs!

OP posts:
ChopsterRoastingOnAnOpenFire · 14/12/2007 21:06

I think you need to go and get properly measured. a badly fitting bra really doesn't help and hoiking it up is not comfortable. If they are that big, you really need the support of a good feeding bra.

NortherLurkerwithastarontop · 14/12/2007 21:08

Have you seen this - only had a quick look but might be possible? Leopard print too

Sparkletastic · 14/12/2007 21:09

The 'pretend baby is a rugby ball and feed them side on' position really helped me too. Although do be careful not to drop t'baby

suzi2 · 14/12/2007 21:15

Oh, I have a bravado bra like that one in the link - doesn't fit me anymore but I thought it was seriously comfy

Definately go and get measured and fitted though. Depending on the style of bra, I wear anything from a 34K to a 38H. I measure, on paper, as a 38J but have never actually owned one that size! I find John Lewis and independent undie shops the best bet for fitting.

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