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Infant feeding

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

Mastitis, feeling dreadful,please help

7 replies

mumtotwoboys · 21/04/2010 20:57

Last friday (2 days after son's birth) my milk had come in but certain clusters of ducts werent being emptied. I told the midwife I'd tried a very hot baths, hand expressing, massaging down.
On monday she came and I told her those ducts were still full, is there any other way to get the milk out, she said no baby will take care of that.
My son has breastfed continiously, mostly from the swollen breast, most of it is empty and deflated from all the feeding but the same parts are full and bumpy still.
This evening I guess the milk had gone bad and infected my body as I'm on fire, shivering, head is pounding, very tearful, have aches and pains all over like the flu.
I really can't cope with being ill right now.
The doctors is so far away, I spose I'll have to drag my newborn and 3 yr old all the way there to ask for antibiotics.
My son also starts nursery tomorrow, 40 minute walk each way. I didn't turn up last time he was sposed to start either because of other issues, I'm lucky theyre giving me another chance.
I can't cope, the house is a wreck now too :-(
so depressing

OP posts:
hellymelly · 21/04/2010 21:07

Oh poor you! I've had a blocked duct this week and have been dreading it turning into mastitis.Surely you qualify to get a home visit? Call the out of hours GP and see if someone will come out to you,Sounds as though you need Antibiotics asap.Otherwise,can you get to A+E? Horrendous I know with a three year old who will be asleep now- I am hoping you can get a GP out.Ask to have the meds brought out to you.You have just had a baby,I'm sure they will help.Hope you are alright soon.

tryingtobemarrypoppins2 · 21/04/2010 21:09

Are you still under your midwife?

mumtotwoboys · 21/04/2010 21:23

thankyou! yes still under midwife, not discharged yet, they send a different one out each time.
My house is so messy dont want them to see

I'm only letting baby have the infected breast now, dispite it hurting.
Just occured to me that if the infected ducts do unclog will it make him ill??

OP posts:
hellymelly · 21/04/2010 21:33

No it won't ,the stomach acid destroys any bacteria.You need to feed from both breasts though-do you have a pump? Honestly don't worry about a messy house,everyone has a messy house with a new baby .Just get someone to see you as you will need meds.

tryingtobemarrypoppins2 · 21/04/2010 21:36

Congratulations mumtotwoboys sorry your so poorly. Your midwife should bring you your meds and a pump. You MUST phone first thing and keep feeding off both sides. Well done you......oh and sod the house, a toddler and a newborn is bloody hard, I feel your pain!

scienceteachermum · 21/04/2010 21:42

oh I feel soooooooooooooooo sorry for you, you definitely need antibitoitcs NOW. I have a 10 week old DS2 and I had mastitis 3 times in 5 weeks and then decided enough was enough on the bf front! I can honestly totally sympathise with how you are feeling, it is soooo awful, I had all same symptoms as you. You really do need antibitoics quickly, it will not go away on its own. The gp should definitely come out to see you at home, I know whats its like with a 3 yr old as well, you really could do with some antibitoics tonight. Once on the antibiotics should feel a lot better in 48 hrs or so. Can someone else take your other one to nursery tomorrow? Or at least give you a lift so that you don't have to walk - you really will not feel like it I can tell you now!
Its bloody awful and so horrible when you have just had a baby.

In terms of helping the mastitis, take paracetomol and ibuprofen - these are safe for bf and won't hurt baby and will help bring down your temp and the swelling. Put old flannel / cabbage leaves / gel pack in bra to help reduce swelling and then swtich to warm pack / flannel etc about 15 min before feeding. You are doing all the right thigns with massage, baths etc and feeding lots off that side - but don't stop feeding on the other side as this will get engorged.

But please please do ring the out of hrs doctor tonight and see what they say.

Let me know how you get on

theboobmeister · 21/04/2010 21:49

Poor you, sounds like you are having a rotten time

But even if there is an infection it won't make DS ill, don't worry about that. In fact most mastitis/blocked ducts is non-infective anyway - the flu-like symptoms come from an immune response which is produced by foreign substances crossing over into the bloodstream, believe it or not. So you could start taking Ibuprofen straight away tonight and that may well help the inflammation and the symptoms. Hellymelly is right, at this early stage they should come out to you with a prescription. I would make a huge fuss to make sure they do.

Could you try some different feeding positions? That will help DS to drain all parts of the breast equally. Some of them are a bit bizarre but can really help - e.g. feeding on all fours.

Some useful info here

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