On AB for mastitis - continue bf DD1 (7 weeks)?

[hbmummy]

Blocked duct since Wed late evening. Been giving the breast to DD1, hot shower, massage - did not work.

Just came back from the GP. Was told it is an early mastitis and was given AB (Flucoxacillin - 500mg 4 times a day) 10 days course.

Read somewhere that AB will give DD1 upset stomach. She has never been a great sleeper (1-2 hours).

Should I continue bf? GP told not to feed from that particular breast but to express and discard the milk.

kellymom link

I am not an expert but I think your GP is wrong
You should feed from both breasts esp from the blocked one. No need to discard the precious milk

Do you have a temp etc?

Breastfeeding Supportlines
Association of Breastfeeding Mothers helpline 08444 122 949

Breastfeeding Network Supporterline: 0870 900 8787 Breastfeeding Network Drugline: 08700 604233

La Leche League Telephone Helpline: 0845 120 2918

National Childbirth Trust Breastfeeding line: 0870 444 8708

See BFN info here

Perfectly fine to feed and take these abs. Your GP is actually dangerously ill-informed - if you do have mastitis, you need to feed from your breast to clear it best. A pump won't do the job as well and you risk your mastitis getting worse if you follow your GP's advice.

GP is wrong wrong wrong. the best cure for mastitis is to feed from the affected breast, that is really important, or the mastitis will just get worse. keep feeding, the anti-biotocs are safe to take while breastfeeding. stopping breastfeeding when you have mastitis is absolutely the worst thing to do.

good luck and have a read on kellymom website

Also, feed with baby's chin towards lumpy bit. And comb breast across lumpiness towards nipple with a wide-toothed comb.

Poor you! Very dubious about GP's advice not to feed from that breast. Think that only applies if you have an abcess. I had mastitis and continued feeding with the AB's, from both sides.

My understanding is that continuing to feed is the best thing to help clear it - but others will confirm.

Good luck, hope it clears up soon. Would consider taking probiotics in some form while you're on the AB's if you're not already.

Thank you for all the feedbacks.

Just managed to get online - problems with internet connection.

Started with AB and continue bf with both side. Always started with the affected breast.

Miserable night. DD1 did not want to settle. Crying on and off. Could this be AB?

Def feed from that side, I had mastitis when ds2 was about 5 weeks old and had ab's too. I started to feel better about a day and a half in and feeding from the affected breast really helped. I didn't notice any side effcts in ds2 from the ab's.

I am on flucoxacillin for mastitis at the moment. My Lo is 11 months and it doesn't appear to have affected his stomach. Ive been having them since monday. That doesn't mean it won't affect your baby of course, it might, but the best thing you can do is keep feeding, even if you are in agony on the affected side it must be drained.

Are you feeling fluey? If not, I think ABs for early mastitis might be a bit premature, it might not turn into mastitis, ifswim. I had lots of blocked ducts that eventually cleared up with continued feeding, dietary changes, hot baths etc but I have also had recurrent mastitis, where some of those blocked ducts did develop. On new years eve I was extremely ill and delirious.

I have relied heavily on advice from Le leche league. They are very kind and helpful. When Ive had mastitis I've rung the helpline on redial until someone answers. If an answerphone comes on and you ring again it will just go to another person until someone is in. They have always been happy to chat.

I've really enjoyed bf the past year despite these troubles, I hope you and you baby feel better and things settles down for you soon.

Carrot - no, am not feeling fluey, temperature is normal.

Was a bit reluctant to take the AB, but worry that if I do not start AB, condition will worsen. Had a blocked duct before and it clears with one long feeding - that was when DD1 was about 3 weeks. I was a bit panicky when this current blocked duct did not clear after 48 hours, hence the visit to GP and hence AB.

You mentioned change in diet. Anything that I should be aware of? Am eating anything that I fancy. Wonder if that is what causing so much discomfort or wind in DD1.

I really would not take them for a blocked duct just in case it turns nasty, you can always take them IF it turns nasty. They are very strong. If you have a red line/area on the breast and feel fluey then that's time to take them, although, I have still got rid of that without them before too.

Having a blocked duct for more than 48 hours won't necessarily mean it worsens, it's just painful and annoying and you must keep feeding.
Anti-biotics won't clear a blocked duct. I think your GP'S advice is very flawed and personally I would not take them unless I felt very ill, then there is also no issue of making the baby ill. They are invaluable when needed certainly but it sounds like you dont need them yet.

Do speak to a bf councellor, they are very informed about all of this. With regards the diet, I was told that recurrent blocked ducts are often the result of increased saturated fats in the diet. I could nearly always identifu mine to a period of eating cheese and butter whereas I don't usually. Is it possible you've eaten extra of these things over Christmas? Most of us have!

I have had to consistently ignore bad advice from my own GP, they really do not that much about breastfeeding sometimes. Of course, some do, and are wonderful. I've changed recently and they are much better. If this isn't an option for you then stick with the advice lines, they are your best bet. Good luck.

Le leche league helpline - 0845 120 2918

This is another GP that need trained on BFing or disciplined for giving poor advice.

It makes me sssooooooo

The BEST thing for you to so is feed feed feed from the sore side as this will release the pressure.. AND the milk is perfectly fine for your baby.

apply warm packs before feeding to help the milk flow better.

Feed on all fours to let gravity help empty the breast.

If you have a high temp - take paracetamol to reduce this.

Massage the breast the unblock any blockages or Hand Express.

Apply cool packs to soothe and reduce any swelling AFTER FEEDING.

AND MOST IMPORTANTLY rest rest rest as much as possible.

Hope you feeling better soon

Definitely red and hot patch on the breast, but no fever or feeling fluey. Starting to reduce since AB yesterday. Will finish the AB since I have started. Never really keen on the GP here.

Trying to rest as much as possible, but DD1 not cooperating. Sleep short and light, and plenty of wind. She will wake up crying if she passes wind. This seems to be very often nowadays. We tried all sorts of burping positions - including baby yoga and weeble.

If there is a red patch then it sounds worse than a blocked duct but they should have told you to take them if you started feeling ill. The feeling ill part is your body reacting to infection, so if you feel fine then I imagine it's inflammation rather than a bacterial infection but I'm no expert.

I'm very surprised you have a 10 day course for a mild case too. I have them for 7 days and I really was very ill, in fact the doctor said I was septiceamic and I was delirious and couldn't walk properly. I had left it for too long though, definitely take them before you get that bad! My family were really freaked out.

Seven weeks is very early days, you will probably find the windy waking and exhaustion will settle in a few weeks.

Still a bit tender and swollen, though not as red and hot. AB since Friday evening - is AB working or should I be concerned?