Mastitis?

[scoutliam]

Hi, I apolagise for asking this because I'm sure it's been done many times before but,
Woke up this am with aching joints and general flu like symptoms, then scared myself by finding a rather large lump in my breast which is tender but not markedly.
I'm ebf my six month old dd ( I tried a bottle of formula twice which she quite rightly turned her nose up at.)
Does this sound like mastitis?
What can I do to nip it in the bud if so?
We have had thrush twice since she was born if that has any bearing on the matter.
Thanks.

yes it does sound like mastitis - I often had the flu like symptoms before noticing the painful breast although that would become very painful.

Usually if it doesn;t start to get better within 24 hours, then you need to see your GP for antibiotics that you can take while bfing. But not everyone needs antibiotics:

Bf very very regularly especially from the infected side, in different positions to try and drain the lump. Massage loads towards the nipple. Use a hot shower to massage the breast; and a hot flannel.

Rest plenty - preferably take to your bed and feed your baby loads and loads.

Drink plenty of water.

Paracetamol for pain relief; I also took ibuprofen prescribed by the doctor.

Get well soon!

Thanks so much, Belgo, that's reassuring.
I can't believe that I 'm so stressed out at the thought of not being able to feed her when I swore sideways it was only going to be for two weeks, six tops.
That was when I had bleeding crusty nipples though.

well done for getting this far!

Carry on bfing ; that is the best way to clear mastitis but sometimes mastitis can get so bad antibiotics are necessary.

You can carry on bfing even if you take antibiotics, and if the antibiotics cause you to get thrush again, you can be treated with fluconazole prescribed by the GP.

But hopefully it won't get that bad.

If you have a temperature of 38,5C or above it's very unlikely it will clear without antibiotics. I would be a bit cautious of taking paracetamol or ibuprofen as it'll mask your symptoms and the quicker you starrt taking the abs the better. Mastitis can get really horrible really quickly.

If you have high temp go to GP asap!
Oh, and everything belgo said really helps.
(i'm currently on abs for mastitis. between 2 babies it's the sixth time i've had it!)

Also, take same some acidophilus if you need to have abs. It may help you not getting thrush again.

Will do! Thanks again.