Mastitis advice

[Queenofpi]

I have mastitis for the third time in 4 weeks and this time it's really quite horrendous. My husband had to take the day off work to look after baby as I was completely incapable. I'm feeling better today (4 doses of antibiotics) but have noticed a huge amount of redness on the affected boob. I don't know if it was there yesterday - should I be worried?

Yes that's a sign of infection. Are you still on your antibiotics?
If not you need to go back to the GP - sorry.
I was you eight months ago and it's horrid, I know. It does get easier.

I agree go back to your GP. Also please check out the kellymom.com website for tips on treating mastitis. I cant seem to do links but google "kellymom mastitis". Basically you need to keep the breasts as empty as possible, feed baby and then hand express or use a pump afterwards to fully empty the breasts.

My doctor recommend feeding in different positions to help empty put all areas and ibuprofen. It helped me

Oh, you poor thing.
I suffered terribly with mastitis with my 2nd child( had to fight the “everyone suffers when breastfeeding ” comments.
I eventually had to give up apart from a night time feed.

The old wives tale about cabbage leaves actually works, but in conjunction with just taking the pressure off yourself.

My boy was weaned extra early as he refused all formula milk and went below 3rd centile for weight.

He is now 26 and thriving. I hope it improves, but if not don’t beat yourself up. A mother in pain and distress us worse than a bottle

Ooh maatitis is horrible 😢

I had it a few times, once having to get the emergency doctor out when dd was 14 weeks.

Paracetamol, warm flannel placed on affected boob and express out as much as you can, drink lots of water to help flush it out as well.

The cabbage leaves work as well, savoy cabbage, put a leaf in the fridge and then place in your bra for a couple of hours.

My method for clearing blocked milk ducts was recommended to me by my midwife and it worked every time (3DC). It needs a bit of prep before baby is thirsty for milk get DH to help if necessary - just before you feed the baby put a hot flannel where the lump is (not luke warm, it has to be as hot as you can bear it). Whip the hot flannel off boob and latch baby on with his/her chin exactly where the blockage is. This may require some forethought as to how to get the baby in the correct position, may require pillows and acrobatics. E.g if blocked duct is at the top of your boob baby needs to feed head down with her body where your chest/ shoulder is, so lying her down and leaning over her to feed might be most comfortable for her. This probably sounds completely crazy, but the theory is that the heat expands the milk ducts, and that babies pull of milk is strongest where his/her chin is. It might hurt as baby pulls the milk from the blocked duct, but when that duct clears the lump should go, and the relief is amazing. Sometimes it does take a couple of goes especially if positioning awkward.
Whatever you do, I hope you feel better soon.

I feel your pain , I’m on antibiotics for it at the mo. It’s my second time of mastitis. It really is horrendous exactly the same as flu , at the start I was vomiting and shivering, I hve had no one to help this time and just had to lay in bed with my 9 week baby and a few toys ! Seriously unsure wether to give up feeding , il be gutted if I have too but can’t keep being ill. Hope you feel better soon aswell x