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Infant feeding

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

Original poster

I have got mastitis. It really, really hurts and I feel like uber poo. Come and talk to me please.

56 replies

theSuburbanDryad · 06/07/2008 13:55

I think it's mastitis, anyway. My left boob feels like it's on fire and there are red lines running down it. And I'm all achey and feverish and feel like shit.

I'm doing the cold compress thing and I'm taking paracetamol, but MIL keeps wanting to get the dr out. If I do let her get him out (and she's being really fab, really, really lovely - she just hates seeing me so ill as do I, for that matter) what will he do? Will he just give me anti-b's or is there something else I should be doing?

OP posts:
BouncingTurtle · 06/07/2008 15:59

Sorry to hear about your mastitis, UD, but glad you've seen the doc and got some ABs. Last thing you need on top of MS!!
Just keeping fully rested - is MIL good at keeping your toddler well occupied?
And of course MN is essential for complete recovery!!

Original poster
theSuburbanDryad · 06/07/2008 16:09

MIL is feeding ds cake off a spoon and letting him rampage about with a broom. I've had him up here a couple of times needing to be calmed with a bf, but actually i do feel a lot better. Looking forward to a small portion of roast beef etc later.

OP posts:
shrinkingsagpuss · 06/07/2008 16:12

hope you feel better soon. keep feeding from that side, even whwen it feels lke fire - it will feel better once the anti bb's kick. I have never felt so crap in all my life as when I had mastitis. I didn't feed from the bad side, and never quite did get my feeding back up to scratch again. Mind you, DD was only a wwek old.

Original poster
theSuburbanDryad · 06/07/2008 16:14

Ds is 18 months, so i think my supply is ok.

Thanks for all your wise words and support. I may try to sleep some more now.

OP posts:
shrinkingsagpuss · 06/07/2008 16:15

i sat for 2 hours at out of hours doc with mine, watching everyone go in befoeme, until I burst into tears and statred to shout.
the Doc looked at me, and said, well which one is sore, coz they both look red - I said "you'd look red if you'd been sitting with an 8 day old baby for 2 hours".

yes.

well, I can't do much but give you anti-b's she said..... durrrrrrrrr..... "yes please, that's all I want thanks!"

shrinkingsagpuss · 06/07/2008 16:16

SD - yes, i've jsut read down the thread and twigged this wasn't some newborn teeny tiny by the comments about playing with brooms !!!!!! I had some strange pictures in my head.....

lackaDAISYcal · 06/07/2008 16:22

much sympathy...I too hummed and ahhhed about calling the doctor, until DH said that my boob looked a map of the A roads of Great Britain. Once it gets to that level ABs are pretty much the only course of action unfortunately.

Just keep mindful of thrush afterwards, especially as you can be more prone to it in pregnancy.

hope you feel better soon.

Original poster
theSuburbanDryad · 07/07/2008 10:01

So I now have truly horrific heartburn. Is this because of the pg, the anti-b's or totally unrelated?

I feel really ill. I didn't think mastitis was this bad - am I just crap?

OP posts:
idontbelieveit · 07/07/2008 10:17

sending you some hugs TSD, Mastitis is awful. antibiotics could well be giving you indigestion, can you look up online whether you should take them before/after food?
It could also be the pregnancy though, get some gaviscon down you!
glad you've got some help with your 18month old. I bet you'll feel much better this time tomorrow. Try to sleep today if you can.

Wisknit · 07/07/2008 10:17

mastitis is awful.

Ibruprofen is better than paracetamol as it is anti-inflammatory. feed feed feed and (painfull I know) try massaging the affected area. I used to get a warm cup of tea or coffe and use the cup to push/stroke along the sore bit. Sounds odd but worked for me.

Hope you feel better soon

Original poster
theSuburbanDryad · 07/07/2008 10:17

Also - ds is at nursery today. I would usually be at work, so not feeding him. Should i be expressing to clear the blockage or will that build up my supply and lead to more blockage?

Sorry to be so pathetic...

OP posts:
sallyforth · 07/07/2008 10:19

Most likely the pg, I think. Can stress give you heartburn? probably. so could be that too.

Mastitis can make you feel ghastly but you should really start feeling better within 24-48hr of the fluclox. If this doesnt happen you must go back to the dr.

yuo are slightly immunocompromised by your pg so you have to be careful.

My granny still remembers when her mastitis turned into an abscess and the dr came to her house and "lanced" it!

Original poster
theSuburbanDryad · 07/07/2008 10:20

AB's should be taken on an empty stomach or an hour before food, according to the leaflet. Which is what I've done. Dh thinks i should pump to clear the blockage.

OP posts:
sallyforth · 07/07/2008 10:23

think you are prob best off expressing for the time being
not sure you can take ibuprofen in preg?

tiktok · 07/07/2008 10:23

Call one of the bf helplines, Sub....put all your ideas to her and fight your way through the options with her

You should start to feel better later today.

Feeding/expressing rather than not feeding is normally good for mastitis.

Wisknit · 07/07/2008 10:23

what about hand expressing a little?

MehgaLegs · 07/07/2008 10:25

Deffo pump. I had three bouts of mastitis with DS3, DH thought I had malaria I was so feverish and out of it.

Keep pumping, drink and drink and drink (water weak juice) keep yourself hydrated. Nurfen good and sleep if you can

Sorry you have it, it is blardy horrible.

MehgaLegs · 07/07/2008 10:26

No ibruprofen if PG!

Original poster
theSuburbanDryad · 07/07/2008 10:27

Right well i've just tried expressing a little and i'm seeing stars it hurts so much. Should i be seeing my dr again?

Will call LLL, thanks tiktok. I've always hesitated before phoning one of the helplines as i don't think i'm an urgent case...

OP posts:
MehgaLegs · 07/07/2008 10:31

Didn't realise you were pg UD, congrats! .

I think maybe call doc again if temp still high.

solo · 07/07/2008 10:31

I had it the week before last and stuck cold savoy cabbage leaves in my bra and massaged the painful lump area with every feed and in between when I could. I didn't take anything else to help and it was gone quite quickly. Hope you feel better soon...it's very unpleasant.

berolina · 07/07/2008 10:32

Oh UD poor love. Yes, do call. I have fortunately never suffered but it sounds hideous. Sympathy vibes from Berlin.

(Twas lovely to meet you btw )

chutneymary · 07/07/2008 10:34

In haste - lots of feeding / pumping, lots of hot flannels, lots of rest. ABs should kick in quickly. I had this at 9 weeks pg and it was awful, but passed soon.

Hope you feel better very soon.

cadelaide · 07/07/2008 10:40

I had it several times.

I had ABs, but it was only when I slept that I recovered.

So....as much sleep as possible.

ShowOfHands · 07/07/2008 10:42

I've had mastitis this weekend too and the pain has been unbelievable. DD is 14 months so while I have been trying to feed as much as possible, her enthusiasm (tugging, nipping, twisting, headbutting, singing, jiggling etc) has had me crying with pain.

I've kept taking painkillers regularly and bought shares in cabbage leaves. Thankfully, it seems to be on its way out.

I sympathise entirely. Feed or express as much as possible and rest rest rest. The antibiotics will kick in very soon I hope. If your temp stays up, call the GP again.

Congratulations on your pg btw.