National Breastfeeding Helpline

[FunnyOrca]

I’m trying to call with a question about engorgement and discomfort. My anxiety is spiralling and telling me it’s mastitis.

I cannot get through! Has anyone any experience? Is it likely I will get through or is it one of those things that is “open” but nobody is actually around?

Did you leave a voicemail? They'll get back to you. You can also DM via social media. They are really good.

The recording says they will call back in daytime hours tomorrow. I figure if this is still an issue by then I will call my gp.

Op sorry to hear this and sounds very sore, Just thinking, if you repost this on the bf board someone may be able to help while you wait for the call back.

There’s a BF board? Do you know what it’s under? I tried to find one.

I had mastitis recently. The advice now is to keep feeding as you normally would (not trying to do more), take ibuprofen and use cold compresses in between feeding. This relieved it massively for me. If it’s not better by morning call your gp as they might want to prescribe antibiotics although this isn’t always necessary.

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/breast_and_bottle_feeding

Under "feed the world" "infant feeding" best of luck with it...

Thank you, I am trying this.

Can I ask how quickly it felt better for you using these?

Also, my baby is 4 months and going through a distracted feeding stage. She is feed for only a minute, come off, look around, tried to play and then go back. It feels like constant feeding. Do you think this is a problem with the idea not to feed more than normal?

@FunnyOrca

i think it’s not necessarily a problem as long as you feel baby’s emptying your breast as usual. I think I would probably express to a comfortable level if baby wasn’t (I’m not sure that’s recommended though). I made sure to start with the affected breast every feed.

i had mastitis around the same time as you and it was because baby started feeding less/sleep longer. It took a couple days before it got better but I saw improvement within 24/48 hours. I did see a GP and got some antibiotics just in case but didn’t need to use them.

Ibuprofen usually works v fast for me.

Think the no more than normal is to stop ppl pumping for hours.

Just feed your child on their needs as usual.

I fine ice helps. I also find a warm shower helps but that's old advice but I think that's to stop people standing for ages in roasting shower and causing more inflammation. So I've personally never found a warm shower does any harm.

But yes to cold compress/freeze a wet muslin in a sandwich bag.

That phase is so difficult. I used to try to go somewhere boring and quiet (not easy when you have a toddler as well). Have you tried a colourful beaded necklace? They are marketed as breast feeding necklaces and are strongly made, brightly coloured beads that keep the baby's attention while they feed.

Thank you all for the suggestions. It seems to be improving but I’ll reassess in the morning again.