A mastitis question

[Cecilia]

Came down with flu-like symptoms and was diagnosed with mastitis on Monday. Prescribed anti-biotics by GP. My dd also developed bad cold, ear-infection and cough at same time so last few days have been a strain!!! The flu symptoms have mostly cleared up but I still have a very red sore patch on my breast and also tiny areas of dried milk (I think) seem to have leaked out onto the surface of the red patch. Is this what usually happens? DD is 8 months and is on solids although she is mainly breastfeeding at the moment due to cold. I suspect I may have got mastitis due to irregular feedingpatterns having just returned part-time to work.

More likely to be an infection from your dd's cold - keep feeding her from the affected breast (my GP said to feed from the "infected" breast, but that made me feel as though I was feeding her infection!) and wash nipples after feeding to prevent re-infection from dd. If you're still worried or it doesn't appear to be continuing to clear up call your GP back.

Thanks for your advice Janeway. My GP told me to stop feeding altogether but I didn't take that part of her advice. Having checked the red patch, it is more like a blistering under the surface of the skin.

ouch - blisters sound nasty - did your GP give a reason for suggesting stopping feeding? If there's a reason not to give dd the milk, I'd still be inclined to express to releive the pressure...

I had mastitis twice, exactly the same symptoms as you Cecilia except not quite as bad blistering. Antibiotics cleared up the first bout but also gave me insomnia ! I can recommend Phytolacca ( pronounced fyto lacca ) which is a fantastic homeopathic remedy which sorted my 2nd bout. My friend who is a mother of five ( gulp !) had NINE breast infections and was lost until she discovered these little pills !!!!! good luck, it's a horrid thing to have.

Janeway - the reason given was that by eight months my dd should be weaned and on bottles. She has been a good GP to me but I know her views on breastfeeding are old-fashioned. She said the antibiotics I was prescribed would do dd no harm but that if I continued to feed from the sore breast it would remain sore which is contrary to other advice. Although, a good GP, she is not a breastfeeding specialist.

I had mastitis twice. The advice that I was given was to keep feeding from the affected breast and it worked. One GP prescribed antibiotics but they seemed to upset ds tummy; the other recommended treating the symptoms (mainly temperature in my case) with paracetamol and drinking plenty of fluids - which worked for me. If you need more help try ringing the NCT Breastfeeding line 0870 444 8708 open 7 days 8am - 10pm (I think it's the cost of a local call?). They'll put you through to the nearest breastfeeding counsellor who can give you good advice and support.

Hope you feel better soon, it is rotten!

I have had mastitis quite a few times (the last time my poor breast swelled up and went bright red, it was so inflamed). By now the antibiotics should have kicked in (within 1-2 days, usually I find they have an effect within 24 hrs) so I suspect the patch you have is something else, and you will need another visit to the GP! Agree with advice to keep feeding, take paracetamol, also I took ibuprofen when the paracetamol was not enough, which strictly speaking not meant to do, but figured DS had had lots of baby Nurofen by then, so took the risk. Also stay at home and rest - good if you have somebody who can look after DD but bring her to you regularly for feeds. Also your GP's BF advice is truly terrible!!!

Ibuprofen has been shown to be a good treatment for mastitis - it is sometimes the only treatment necessary with antibiotics not always being necessary. Definately ignore GP regarding stopping feeding. My own GP was not supportive of breastfeeding after 6 weeks - hasn't got a clue

I had this about a month ago and the doctor just advised Nurofen to take the swelling down and paracetamol for the flu symptoms I felt fine the next day.

My DD is now 14 weeks old and I have had a terrible time with the breastfeeding. Cracks, bleeding, DD vomiting a whole feed up full of blood! And now I am in the midst of my 4th bout of mastitis. I have had antibiotics which I don't like but have taken. I am now at the stage where I don't know whether to continue feeding or not. I thought about cutting back to mornings and evenings in a bid to stop producing so much milk and thus reducing the possibility of getting mastitis. DD loves feeding but will also take a bottle happliy. Why do I feel so guilty about considering giving up? I still can't decide what to do...what do you think?

mouli-well done you for persisting thoughout all the discomfort to be still feeding at 14 weeks. To have mastitis for the fourth time makes me think that your baby may not be removing milk effectively although thriving. It may be that a minor adjustment to positioning may solve your problem. The cracks and bleeding are caused by the baby not fixing properly to the breast and and it may be that your baby is still not in the best position possible. Rather than reduce number of feeds I think it would be a good idea to contact a breastfeeding counsellor in your area who may be able to watch you feed give you advice on how to avoid mastitis recurring.

I completely agree with Mears here... there is a reason for this mastitis... there are many causes. Blockages can be caused by a tight bra, pressure from a handbag strap or car seat belt, or even lying in bed with an arm pressing into the breast. The most common cause is incorrect positioning of your baby at the breast during feeds.

Warm flannels, or a warm shower or bath, prior to feeds will encourage the milk to flow and ease pain. As the baby feeds, you should gently massage the affected part of the breast towards the nipple in small circular motions to assist the milk flow. It may help to express a little milk before the baby feeds to stimulate the flow and make it easier for the baby to "latch on" if the your breast is engorged. Varying feeding positions ensures the milk ducts are fully drained. Make sure the baby is correctly latched to the breast, as poor attachment results in "nipple-feeding" and worsens the problem.

It would be ashame to stop or reduce feeds just because of this as you can get free help to sort it out... but I am sure it must be very difficult with having to deal with this frequently....
Good luck

mouli, agree with all the good suggestions here. my dd is now 2 yr 9mth, I had mastitis 3 times in first 10 weeks of her life - she got green poos & upset tum with all the antibiotics I'd been on. I think a number of things righted themselves to help stop our troubles - saw bfeeding counsellor, even though loads of people had watched us latch etc (seemed fine), drank more fluids, got more rest, good food etc, stopped carrying bags across chest & bra at night (even though nipples sore & needed protection) saw homeopath but never used remedy as it cleared up & we went onto bfeed until dd was nearly 2. try expressing a little before feed so you reduce the pressure and look after yourself. I found the La Leche local people very supportive on the phone & with leaflets, so much more info than any hv or midwife had.

mouli, agree with the latter comments about positioning. I had mastitis at 6 weeks - 3 recurrent bouts actually - and after 4 lots of antibiotics, my accupuncturist, a teaching and practising midwife suggested it was positioning. so after doing something called 'surrounding the dragon' (encircling the affect boob with needles) and telling me to alternate positions, I never suffered again.

I am disheartened by the advice being given by health professionals and would advise anyone experiencing difficulties to contact breastfeeding advisors rather than doctors and health visitors who are not specifically trained to support and encourage bf mothers.

keep up the good work ladies!