Mastitis help please! 2nd time now, AB's not clearing redness AGAIN...why not?

[Lizzer]

Hi there, I got mastitis when lo was 5 days old, took ab's for week and the redness didn't completely clear although the breast felt better apart from a small pain when latching on.

I monitored this for a week and then it flared up to full fever, pain etc again until new ab's kicked in.

Now on day 5 (of7) of these and slight redness is still there in same place and now skin is puckered underneath by the nipple but clears after a feed. Is this a blocked duct or the infection?

And can anyone tell me how to prevent going through this again, I'm not sure I can stand it. Dp can't keep taking time off work to look after me and ds and its really knocking my milk supply but keep building it up (lucky ds is a 'sucky' baby) But if I had to give up b/feeding I would be gutted

lizzer - I still had a red patch towards the end of taking ABs, it doesn't mean its not healing. Also, I often look puckered around the nipple when before a feed if I haven't fed for a while and it goes down with the milk.

I have had mastitis several times with this baby so I'm not much of an advert for avoiding recurrence but he is one now so I have stuck with it. The things I have found helpful are making sure the breast is fully drained every time and checking that he is latches on properly.

Rest is a key thing with mastitis too, easier said than done I know but its very important.

Whenever I had it I phoned Le leche league helpline and spoke to a bf councellor, they were really helpful. If you go through to an answerphone, hang up and try again, it goes through to someone else and you can do this until you get through.

Congrats on your new baby - hope you feel better soon

0845 120 2918 - la leche league helpline

Thanks a lot MrsCarrot, I was wondering whether to get in touch with a helpline, I have a lovely but pretty clueless hv and could do with someone more expert with bf issues.

How awful that you've had it several times and amazing for getting through the feeds, it feels like someone sticking hot knives into my breasts, I hate it so much.

I didn't get it at all with dd so I wonder why?

It is a horrible feeling isn't it, I was crying and clenching my jaws some of the time it was so bad.

I didn't get it with my older two either. Apparently its quite common for it to affect you with just one baby, I don't know why - but you are probably not resting enough, hard with an older child of course.

Do ring the helpline. They are very friendly and knowledgeable women who have all breast fed and then trained as supporters. I got more out of one conversation with them than several trips to the baby clinic.

Firstly,checkyour bra fits correctly.
When baby feeds try not to support or hold your breast and you and baby can cause block ducts without realising.
Try to ensure baby emptys breast when possible.
if you find the breast you are not feeding from leaks free it from your bra and allow it to free flow.

change pads regularly.

with regard to actual site of soreness massage gently ( a caress not rub) when baby feeds and you might feel it clear or use a very cold or slightly warmer than warm flannel in between feeds.some like it cold some hot.Not hot hot!!!!
also when in bath turn onto stomach and allow breast tissue float down into water.
or dip breast into sink of warm water and as milk flows gently let water move the sore bruised feeling breasts around.

handle your milk producing breast at all times so very gently as bruising them is so very easy and this can be a cause.
lastly change baby s feeding position occasionally.

hope you feel better soon i know its so sore , been there a few times myself.
Have fed 3 and one was particularly a nuisance as he used to grab hold of the breast if i was nt ready for him.

I had a few bouts of it and for the last couple had to take a double dose of abs, which did the job. I think it's important to be pretty scrupulous with taking them at regular intervals, and on the particular ones I was on, on an empty stomach. Good luck and hope you feel better soon!

You might also want to ask your doctor about inflammatory breast cancer, which is often misdisagnosed as mastitis. It's rare and I thought about not posting this because the chances are so small, but I've got a friend going through this right now and I know that early detection makes a big difference.

There's more information about IBC on the internet at:
toddlerplanet.wordpress.com/inflammatory-breast-cancer/

Hi all, sorry I didn't get on to mn y'day so only just seen replies...
Thankyou again mrsC, I am going to phone today as have appt with docs later (a female doc-hooray!) and want to be fully armed with info....

Lulah - I know 2 feeding bra's are tight I bought them whilst pg and didn't think my boobs would go up so much, they're also underwired. I know, I'm a fool ! I have bought one other bra that is the 'trad' type, I must invest in another. I wonder if this is the reason why I've got it....god I'm so vain sometimes

MBITG, I'll see what the doc says - I hate ab's but I'll take them if it means recovering successfully from this, thanks for sharing that info...

AberdeenH, I've read your link, definitely something to look out for, how awful for your friend