Mastitis

[jodesxx]

Pretty sure I have mastitis for the third time since mid-October. Fine this morning but started getting a sore boob about 11.30ish. From about 2 was really cold, headache so went to bed. Woke up just after 3 achey awful headache and just exhausted. Not improved since. Heart rate is about 120/130 when resting is usually low to mid 60s and temp when I last checked was 39.7 but I've since taken paracetamol and think our thermometer exaggerates it a bit. I've fed baby in both sides and pumped when felt engorged. One small red mark but no lumps that I can feel.

It's not even been 12 hours so I doubt they will give me antibiotics yet or do you think I should all 111 and see out of hours? In context, the first time in October it was about Sunday lunch I started feeling unwell but didn't see doctor until 4pm on Monday. By that night I was in a&e with suspect sepsis. CRB level was 239 so I'm so worried of it going like that again. The same doctor saw me the second time and as he saw how quickly it escalated he started me on them straight away after 6 hours but 8 know they don't normally until 12-24.

Can you try cold cabbage leaves? That worked for me. I had prescription ready to go but doctor told me to wait to see if it improved before taking them. Given your history though, might be best to have them even if you don't take them straightaway

Absolutely ring for OOH antibiotics. Mastitis can get very bad very fast. I was also admitted for suspected sepsis, and that was with taking antibiotics nearly straight away.

Absolutely get antibiotics - and ask for different ones this time. I had recurring infections until I did this. If you've had it before then you know what it feels like - get on the phone x

Please see a doctor fast. 111?
I went too late it turned into an abscess. It burst open. Just don't mess around

How are you feeling @jodesxx ? X

My GP would prescribing them over the phone as soon as I recognised the signs.

Thank everyone! I left it until yesterday morning and saw OOH yesterday. Started antibiotics now and miles better but the redness is worse and it feels lumpy still. I just can't understand why I keep getting it!!

Yes, you can phone. Mastitis is very hard to shift once you have let it get established.

Next time, at the first twinge of pain, take 2 ibuprofen and start feeding from the painful side. For the next feed, start off again from the painful side, though remember to switch to the other side too. You don't want mastitis to develop on the other side.

The ibuprofen reduces the swelling inside the milk ducts, allowing the milk to flow. The first milk out may be a bit thicker/ yoghuty but won't affect little one. However the milk will soothe and further reduce the inflammation. Keep the ibuprofen going at the recommend dose for 36 hours feeding as much as possible from the affected side. Should prevent the need for further antibiotics and can fend off mastitis before it has chance to take hold.

Best of luck. (But do read the leaflet, if you are trying for baby no 2. Ibuprofen not recommended in the first trimester. It only works with ibuprofen - an anti-inflammatory, not with paracetamol or other pain killers)

Its worth getting your latch checked as a wonky latch can lead to mastitis. I also had it several times when baby's feeding pattern changed and he skipped one or two feeds. My boobs seemed slow to default to mastitis in protest!

If you've had it twice, are you getting a long enough course of antibiotics and has LO been checked for Tongue Tie?

Usually it happens a week or two after baby bites your nipple as this is how infection tends to get in. So if they are teething or a bit nippy be extra cautious about unlatching when they get distracted.

I hope it's cleared up now! If not see dr again