Mastitis/Breast Abscess - Breastfeeding- Help!!

[teenmom2be]

Hi all,

I was hoping to find someone who may have had a similar experience to try and give me some advice?

I have just left hospital after having a severe breast abscess caused my mastitis which was aspirated etc. Anyway, I have an appointment with the breast surgeons tomorrow and will take it from there.

Since home I have been expressing from infected boob and feeding her off the other as much as I can (and sometimes with formula due to low milk supply),

I'm really worried about whether I'll be able to physically continue breastfeeding. After speaking with the HV she has expressed concerns that there may be issues with my supply and also the pain it may cause me.

I really really love breastfeeding, I don't want to stop and am scared I may have to. I was hoping that someone could maybe tell me their personal experience of issues like this??

Please be brutally honest I do need to prepare myself to maybe give up :(

Some background - my little girl is 5 weeks and has been exclusively breastfed from birth. She had her first ever bottle on Friday when I went into hospital.

I had similar issues and my left side (affected side) entirely dried up. The other side also had a massive hit to supply (only able to provide for one full feed a day). I supplemented where needed but otherwise latched my baby on and pumped till no end. I also ate a lot which helped build back my supply. It took 2 weeks to get back to supply without formula and it took 3 months for the affected side to work to full capacity again. Yours will bounce back much faster I think as I was 4.5 months pp and it's harder to build supply again after 3 months. The breast surgeon told me 'sometimes this just happens and you stop making milk. Don't feel bad just formula feed'. Luckily I rang La Leche (do give them a call) and posted on here and some lovely mumsnetters helped me through it all.

Perhaps post this in the infant feeding group? I think you'd find better responses there.

Worst comes to worst, how do you feel about feeding from one side only? That's a possibility but I do think you will heal and your supply will build. Rest is key, low stress and eating and drinking well. If you aren't vegetarian, red meat is very good as well as complex carbs like brown rice and lentils. Coconut water is also good.

Your baby is also 5 weeks so I would keep her attached to your unaffected breast all day and night long. Get some help, and dedicate a week to just constant feeding. Even dream feeding. My baby was older and would pull off in frustration but I'm sure at 5 weeks he'd just enjoy the comfort and would have ploughed along. Try to also be careful not to rely too much on supplementing (unless sudden drop in weight gain).