mastitis - any experiences please?

[nina3638]

i have mastitis and was given antibiotics today. i feel awful. i have blocked ducts in both sides and baby feeds very frequently anyway so not sure what else i can do. i’m taking dyhydracodeine but feel like i’ve been hit by a bus - headache, eyes hurt, exhausted, aches everywhere, feel weak and tingly and i’ve just sat in a hot bath and felt freezing.

i’m going to see how it goes overnight but say hypothetically it doesn’t get better with abx- what happens? i’m worried about my symptoms but if i went to hospital could baby stay with me? could i still breastfeed her while there or would they make me stop?

If the antibiotics don’t work you can perhaps try a different sort. Phone 111 and explain your worries about being separated from baby - I don’t think they’ll want to as feeding is part of treatment isn’t it?

Sorry you’re feeling so rough. It’s fucking miserable. Xx

It’s HORRIBLE. it’s very common though (I’ve had it about 6 times with 4 babies) and antibiotics usually do the trick and swiftly.

Try not to worry. Mastitis can also make you feel v emotional and depressed for a short while, so this could also make your anxious feelings worse.

If you had to go in, which is unlikely, your baby could def stay with you.

Get well soon

Sorry to hear that OP. Have you checked for any blocked ducts?? Sounds gross but I remember a thread about a woman who used a sterile needle to pierce a milk bleb (? Can't recall the term) and that drained out the blockage and then she dealt with the mastitis. I had the same and forced myself to pierce the bleb (which didn't even look like a bleb). My temps didn't go down at all so I had to go in and have iv antibiotics as I was almost septic but because of covid having just started back then, I was sent home within a few hours. The iv antibiotics worked much faster and I took a lot of pain killers and teas for the rest of the symptoms. Feeding will help too and after the mastitis you might notice a drop in supply, I only had it in the left and lost my supply entirely for about 6/7 weeks. It did come back though with lots of latching the baby on and pumping.

Hope you feel better soon

I had it twice. The first time was a short bout - felt sweaty, delirious and couldn’t think straight. It was incredibly painful but I took paracetamol and fed through it (the pain!!!) and it cleared within a few days. The second time I had it worse and got the antibiotics - it cleared up very quickly. The drugs will work so take them per the dosage, feed as much as you can and rest. When I had it, a hot shower and flannel helped and gentle massage to dislodge the lumps. Also, if you have a breast pump and can bear it, you should be able to express it out. That also helped me. I really feel for you - get well soon

Painkillers, antibiotics, cool ice filled muslin compresses, hot baths, boob massage - rub and press and squirt and try to break down the hard lumps, feed through the absolute agony. Worked for me but yeah, grim.

You have my sympathies. I had mastitis with both of my babies and it was awful. I was so, so unwell. I had to try a different type of antibiotic with my first baby, as the first lot didn’t work, so do let the doctors know if you aren’t feeling any better soon.

I second warm baths or showers and massaging your breasts to ease the lumps out. But basically, it’s all about taking the drugs!

I actually ended up in hospital on IV antibiotics with DC2 as I had a bonkers midwife who was still talking about cabbage leaves in my bra when I had been suffering with a raging temperature for days and could barely see straight. My baby was able to stay at the hospital with me. Hope you won’t need to do that! Wishing you better soon.

Oh it's awful. Have had it a few times. Still bf DD who is 3. When I get it I just make her feed and feed off of that boob. I also check for blebs. Have had one that just looked like a tiny white dot, kept squeezing until it popped out and the relief was immense. Paracetamol and I alternated with hot and cold compresses. You have my sympathy 💐

It’s awful, you have my sympathies. I was told to have a hot bath and go in it on all fours and massage boobs as the gravity helps...not a pretty sight but I think it did help .

Unfortunately I ended up in hospital overnight for iv antibiotics but baby was able to stay with me and she got totally fussed over by the nurses! Continuing to bf was the best thing for it for me, although it was painful I felt it was a relief type pain if you know what I mean. Wishing you all the best, hope you feel better soon.

thanks all. still feel horrendous but luckily baby has fallen asleep now so i can finally get a bit of rest. can i ask sorry - what is a bleb? never heard of it 😂

It is when a bit of skin grows over a duct opening. Sometimes there is a very small white spot, other times it is harder to spot. Mine was extremely hard to spot and was me just giving it a go as I couldn't get any milk out at all. Within clearing it I must have pumped out 5oz within a few minutes.

I was hospitalised for a week and set up on a drip. I was allowed to keep my baby with me and they put me in a private room on the post labour ward. I was loaned and expressing machine by the hospital which was far better than the one I had at home. I had to be operated on in the end and as I had quite a daily dose of morphine in my system I didn’t continue breastfeeding but if it hadn’t been for the op I’m pretty sure the medical staff would have helped me continue.

I used to get a recurrent milk bleb/blister in the same spot - heat never worked but a sterile needle just to lift the edge of it always cleared it and would usually mean instant relief.

Have a read here kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mother/nipplebleb/

And definitely seek more medical advice if the antibiotics still haven’t really kicked in.

I ended up in hospital too, after a couple of courses of ABs. Only I had to have an op under GA to deal with the abscess that had developed.
DD would have been allowed into hospital for me to feed her and be with her, but she hadn't had any vaccines, so stayed with her DGM as DH had to go to work.
My wound took a few weeks to heal - they didn't stitch it - and I still have a scar across my nipple.

It's the absolute pits but antibiotics, painkillers and feeding should fix it. I've had it multiple times and it's probably the most ill I've ever felt. I'm glad to say my youngest is 7 and it's now an unpleasant but distant memory. Get well soon.