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Infant feeding

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

Original poster

Possible Mastitis?

10 replies

Everley · 03/04/2023 23:32

I’m 5 days postpartum and my breasts have been painful and hard for 2/3 days now. I’ve just got undressed and noticed that there are patches of redness on both breasts. They seem a little hot to the touch.

Is it potentially mastitis? Should I see a GP about it at this stage? I don’t want it to get any worse but not sure if they would do anything at this point. I’m not breastfeeding.

OP posts:
rickandmorts · 03/04/2023 23:44

Can you contact your midwife for advice? I had mastitis and it sounds very similar, I had the red patches all over my breasts. I also got flu like symptoms and went really hot and cold and was shivering.. Do you feel okay in yourself? Try alternating hot and cold flannels on your boobs. I know you're not breastfeeding but would hand expressing a tiny bit of milk off help relieve you?

Original poster
Everley · 03/04/2023 23:52

@rickandmorts I could try and contact my midwife but she doesn’t always reply quickly. I could try the postnatal team as I am not yet discharged from them.

I feel okay in myself, although have felt a bit cold and shivery on and off for a day. I’ll try the flannels, thank you. I wondered about trying to express but then I want the milk to dry up as quickly as possible & don’t want to encourage it.

OP posts:
rickandmorts · 04/04/2023 00:06

Definitely try the postnatal team if you're still under them! Yeah my midwife took ages to reply too. And yes the flannels or a warm bath might help if you feel up to one. Some paracetamol too if you feel shaky/ flu like. Yes I know what you mean about not wanting to encourage more milk but if you are really engorged it might just take the pressure off. Also very specific but savoy cabbage leaves are really good if you pop them down your bra and I heard they can help dry your milk up, although I'm not sure if that's true. I hope you manage to get sorted x

DrJump · 04/04/2023 00:24

Mastits management has changed recently. Just use ice (wrapped in something) before and after feeds. Try lots of frequent feeds. If your breasts are quite swollen it maybe hard for baby to attach well so try some "reverse pressure softening" before feeds to help baby attach.
Can you get some support to look after you. Plenty of fluid and rest helps inbetween the feeds.
Call the midwife/post natal team and one of breastfeeding helplines.

Emily29 · 04/04/2023 00:37

I had the same but went away within a day or so.
I was worried about it too but it turned out fine :) just wear a good fitting bra, breast pads in to catch any leaks and completely leave them alone within a week they will feel a lot less swollen

beachpearl · 04/04/2023 02:20

5 days post partum surely midwives should be there to help within hours. This is the difference in women struggling with babies/ mental health/ body health. I'm annoyed that help is hard to get

nunsflipflop · 04/04/2023 02:30

DrJump · 04/04/2023 00:24

Mastits management has changed recently. Just use ice (wrapped in something) before and after feeds. Try lots of frequent feeds. If your breasts are quite swollen it maybe hard for baby to attach well so try some "reverse pressure softening" before feeds to help baby attach.
Can you get some support to look after you. Plenty of fluid and rest helps inbetween the feeds.
Call the midwife/post natal team and one of breastfeeding helplines.

OP states clearly that she is not breast feeding.

DrJump · 04/04/2023 05:20

@nunsflipflop thanks for pointing out my mistake.

@Everley sorry for missing that you aren't breastfeeding. Ice will then be really important to manage the inflammation. A nappy with water popped in the freezer then in your bra can work quite well.

Rather than a pump which will remove a lot of milk just some and expressing to relieve the pressure. This shouldn't remove too much milk and help to stop you producing milk. Something thing firm but not too tight around your breasts might feel comfortable.

I would also look at seeing a GP they may prescribe you something to help dry you up. Or you can talk to them about something like a cold and flu medication which can help but might mask symptoms of mastitis.

Once again sorry for the breastfeeding info.

Original poster
Everley · 04/04/2023 07:26

@Emily29 Ah it’s reassuring to know that it can go away quite quickly, thank you

OP posts:
Original poster
Everley · 04/04/2023 07:27

@DrJump No worries. Thanks the the frozen nappy trick, that sounds like it might be soothing.

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