low milk supply after mastitis

[fburrough]

just looking for some help. dd is 6 weeks old and up until now i've had no problem with milk supplyt-there is loads there.

however i had a very bad crack in my right nipple (despite going to loads of bf support classes and being told latch looked fine) which got infected and i got mastitis.

was put on anti biotics and it has cleared up and crack healing well now. all has been well for about a week, but now my supply on that side has really gone down. just not feeling full and dd getting restless on the breast.

any tips/ideas?? should also say am feeding through a shield on that side till it totally heals. really don't want to get rid of it till crack is totally better!

Feeding through a shield is a good idea as should make feeding less painful. I was always less full on one side than the other anyway but you are obviously also seeing a change. I had milk supply issues and used Mama tea and More milk plus which helped, they have fennel and fenugreek in them. I also saw a Homeopath and used aromatherapy. A bit belt and braces but it was pretty extreme.

Try using jelanet gauze on your nipple - you can get it from bigger boots stores or your GP. Its brilliant for cracked nipples. I had exactly the same experience, cracked nipple and mastitis...its awful.
As far as supply, I put DD on that breast first and try to get her to feed from that one a bit more regularly as your DD will build up the supply, maybe when you heal up try pumping from that side too?
I am still building up my supply but seem to be getting there now.
Well done for getting through this horrible stage...

Feeding with a shield will decrease your milk supply. what about taking some fenugreek?

I've read that nipple shield will reduce supply-why is that?

i'm really reluctant to get rid of it until crack has properly healed.