Managing mastitis- fuck it hurts!!

[DoreenonTill8]

Any tips? I have mastitis and it's horrendously sore!! Should I keep trying to feed through the pain?

Sympathies, I've suddenly got it again today too although I'm not weaning. I'm following the new mastitis protocol as the evidence about what helps has changed. If you google it's a pink infographic. In short, keep feeding your usual amount, use ice, take ibuprofen.

Are you using ibuprofen? I was advised that mastitis pain is caused by the milk trying to get through inflamed, swollen, blocked ducts. Ibuprofen reduces swelling and inflammation so that the milk can flow, so you take it first then keep feeding through that side. The milk flowing is also soothing.
I was advised (20 years ago now) that ibuprofen is safe when feeding, though check current advice, but not safe in early months of pregnancy - just on case you might be. I was advised to take max dose (400mg or 2 x 200mg. Do check) and then feed like mad. It worked well for me specially when caught early on, before the swelling is too extensive. I only needed antibiotics once in 7 years of feeding, as I got very good at spotting it starting and catching it early.

Hope that helps! Good luck

Thanks both, will have a look for the new protocol and get some ibuprofen down me!