Because what I REALLY need right now is a tender hard patch in my breast

[phdlifeneedsanewlife]

Go on, remind me of what I should be doing to stave off a case of mastitis.

I've been feeding ds as regular; I had a hot shower and hot water bottle on it last night; anything else?

There's something to do with a wide tooth comb, combing down the breast, over the sore patch in the direction of the nipple, but I just can't remember it exactly. Hopefully someone will be along in a minute.

When I had it, it spread through the whole breast and I had to have antibiotics from the GP.

Oh you poor thing.
Not sure but have you consulted Kellymom??

Assoc. for Breastfeeding Mothers helpline

08444 122 949

a comb?? I've heard everything now!

will try kellymom. never yet got ABM to either answer or phone me back, dunno what that's all about.

I had this as a recurring problem with DD2 and I found the old cabbage leaves in bra trick did really help (reduces inflammation and relives the pain). Also I would express the lump out. By this I mean after feeding DD on that side I would gently express whilst massaging the lump for 10 to 15 mins. Hardly any milk would come out but it just makes sure the breast is completely 'emptied'. Normally I found if I did this as soon as I could feel a lump starting it would go after a few feeds. You have to nip it in the bud as soon as possible.

think I got myself into this mess by trying to express last night - never have been able to do it by hand. not game to try that again. ds fed that side an hour ago, it's probably too late to massage? and I guess since I felt lump last night

am just waiting for ds to wake up now, will go out and get a cabbage.

have just read that cabbage in bra will dry up supply - anyone know whether that's true??

phd sounds like bull to me, I lived on cabbage leaves in bra with ds1 as had blocked ducts and engorgement for 8 mths. Had massive oversupply so not in my case!

No the milk wont dry up. I had the most awful case of mastitus with my forth child and did end up on anti- biotics. I was a shock to me how nasty it is and how terribe I felt. Massage def helped and is not too late. warm compresses, lots of feeding baby on that side and plenty of fluids for you. Good luck and I hope you feel better soon. xx

cabbage won't dry up supply
massage the lump quite hard, for AGES. the combing I believe helps too but I couldn't face it.

deffo look at Kellymom, it has everything

The combing doesn't hurt - put some oil on firstt if it does, I used the kids hairbrush (has bobbly ends and a cushioned base). Also take ibruprofen as it is anti imflammatory and feed, feed ,feed. Cabbage is good - keep it the fridge for max effect. It won't dry milk up - people who are bottle feeding use it to reduce swelling in the early days so maybe that is where the misunderstanding came from?
Good luck.

phew - had antibiotics for mastitis already once this year - really not what I want this week.

oh dear - we had a MUCH better night last night, was hoping it was contagious.