Mastitis at 9 weeks

[1NuDad]

Hi there.

Hope this is the right thread.

My wife seems to have developed mastitis but it's come out of the blue. Does this seem like it is? Obviously being on lockdown means 111 and the doctor's feel harder to reach than ever.

• She has a pain that's developed from a dull ache to a sharp throb over the course of the past 8 hours
• She became very shivery. We then have her paracetamol and ibuprofen. Her temp is 38.3.
• She's had a shower and now a little better and keeps feeding to try and help.

But we're surprised it's come on. We have an older daughter and this is our son, who is 9 weeks. He had a tongue tie procedure about a month ago and has fed perfectly since. Very regular, very content. Can mastitis suddenly come on like this despite things going well with breastfeeding? I thought it was more to do with when the baby struggles to get milk etc. Obviously wanting to rule out COVID-19 too! But neither would be ideal.

Just want to be cautious ahead of a potentially difficult night. Thanks.

Hi, yes it can. Please get to a doctor in the morning and get antibiotics (there are ones you can take and still breastfeed with)

Hot presses and massaging the area can help but it can turn very quickly. unfortunately I had it 4 times in 5 months. The first time I didn’t recognise the symptoms very easily

Most doctors are doing phone calls at present but if your wife has a lump (boob is also hot to touch) with a fever then it is likely this.

Please don’t let be fobbed off with hot presses (speak with a doctor and not a HV)

Yes it can and you must speak to a GP today, the sooner the better.

There is some more information on mastitis here on Kellymom.

Yes it can and it need treatment ASAP. I started with the pain at 2pm in the afternoon and four hours later had a raging fever and rigors and felt horrendous. The quicker you get treatment the better as abscesses can develop very quickly ! Just make sure your wife continues to feed on the affected boob if she can or pump small and often if feeding is too uncomfortable.

Hi, thanks very much.

Followed the advice of the first poster and had antibiotics prescribed immediately. Thanks.

Now the big worry is the lump which can't seem to budge. It's causing us worry re abscess etc. What are the best tips to help reduce/remove the blockage?

We've tried feeding the baby a lot on the same breast, warm compresses, and positioning the baby to help, but it's not moving, which is a worry.

Any help welcome.

Did your wife or you manage to read the link from Kellymom OP?

Great that you got the antibiotics. I always found the blockage cleared with the antibiotics so I would head back if it’s still there. Although at 9 weeks you have the joy or lumpy boobs until they settle etc.

I found that expressing on the affected side cleared the blockage as was actually able to drain the boob. Mine felt better within a few hours.
I had all the same symptoms..
I hope she feels better soon, it really is so horrible

Thank you again, everyone. She is much better. The lump has subsided a lot and must have been drained. Was worried about a potential abscess.

However, NOW... The baby seems to have been knocked off his rhythm. Is that normal? He's been a very placid baby until this last week and ever since Monday, when we were prescribed the antibiotics, he's been fussy, frustrated and protesting a lot more. Can the antibiotics affect them? I'm sort of hoping it's that and things go back to normal after the course comes to an end!!

Totally normal and he should settle again. How does you DW feel about carrying on with BFing? Could you encourage her to join MN?

Thanks again everyone. The baby settled down. Every time I posted something, things got better!

Not a fun week but all well that ends well!