My baby is 4 weeks old and I think I'm getting mastitis for the second time - on the opposite boob! Sorry for long description, I'm trying to give as much helpful info as poss.
Some context - previous baby I fed for 6 weeks with nipple shields in the day and breastfed normally at night up to 3 months then gave up. Wouldnt latch for first 24 hours of life - difficult birth. Ended up with jaundice so we gave formula. Establishing EBF from that point just didn't happen as baby always wanted bottle after breast. This time baby had an easy birth, is a big hungry boy and was straightforward to latch on. He's gained weight in an absolutely textbook way and is a happy baby other than evening fussing - it's me who is struggling. I have a toddler who is behaving appallingly because I'm basically out of action - he's fine until baby and me appear in room. He's at nursery 4 days, with my parents one day and husband is basically with him all weekend, although in the gaps between the mastitis I was heading out with them.
First baby had a massive preference for one boob over the phone other. With consequence that when milk came in this boob just produces loads more milk. Mastitis first time round was on the "shit tit" side as he l kept refusing that side. Had antibiotics which I started straight away as I knew what the fever meant. Finished those last week. Have tried so hard to equalise supply by feeding baby on that side but it it's a feed in later afternoon or evening he was ll want the other side afterwards. Nothing comes out if I pump that side. That side is now fine, latch is really good and it doesn't hurt at all - baby will accept a full feed from that side at night or before about 3.
Other side is really hurting and the latch is bad. Ive basically has to take baby off the Boob towards the end of a feed because he pulls off to the end of my nipple and just chew - I know this is where the mastitis has come from as he's not draining the boob. Nipple is double the size which I really don't think helps - even when he opens his mouth as wide as he can I don't feel like he gets enough of it in there. Have tried expressing from that side before the start of a feed and milk does come. I've been alternating paracetamol and ibuprofen to be able to bear the pain - was taking them for my stitches and stopped, started again during first bout.
Haven't rung the doctor yet for more antibiotics - but I have a bit of a temp and the big boob side is red - half way round. I can see one milk blister on there.
Haven't seen a lactation consultant as all my friends who have basically said they diagnosed a tongue tie whether or not there was one. I dont think he has a tongue tie but I suppose happy to throw money at the problem . I saw one with first baby who advised using the nipple shields which I think ultimately stopped him latching properly and added to the bottle preference as the flow is slower.
I saw a nice lady from local feeding team 2 weeks ago when I had it before. She said the latch was good (it often is) and did help me with modern advice on mastitis which apparently is cold packs, ibuprofen and feed the baby - not pumping, combing the ducts out in the bath or anything hot.
I think what has caused it today was baby fussing loads last night when I was feeding him and really hurting my nipple so I kept unlatching him and then rocking him to sleep/winding in before a little feed to sleep. But the advice is always to unlatch if it's bad and try again! Baby woke twice in the night for a feed so normal pattern and I feed him on small boob at about one and big boob at 4 - which is normal
Does anyone have any suggestions? I'm close to giving up although I have to do this gradually I know. Not being able to breastfeed last time made me feel incredibly sad. It's also causing me to occasionally argue with my husband as this is his only suggestion and it's not helpful
This morning I am trying to follow the same feeding pattern and alternate whilst pumping a bit on the mastitis side. I don't want go get it again on the other side by ignoring that one!
I'm sorry its so long.