Mastitis

[stacii]

Has anyone had this? I feel like I'm at the end of my rope here. I am in so much pain and am experiencing this overall achy miserable feeling. I just started an antibiotic yesterday. How long until this goes away?

How do I prevent it? And how did I get it in the first place?

 

[Linnis]

Ouch, I'm sorry. Make sure you are taking a probiotic so you won't end up with a yeast infection from the antibiotics.

Sometimes it simply can't be prevented.

I know after I had it I would change up DS' nursing position, one time cradle hold, the next time football hold etc. That way he was 'draining' all areas of the breast more evenly. I haven't had a breast infection since.

You can take Ibuprofen/Aleve for the pain, it'll help with the swelling, warm compresses and showers help too.

 

[TexasSky]

Never had it, but I've heard about it, and my prayers are with you. I cannot imagine the suffering you must be going through.

 

[christianmomof3]

The antibiotic should work within 24 to 72 hours. If you get worse or do not get any better after 72 hours, you should contact your doctor.
I ran a 104 degree temp when I had it and I called my dr at 2 am to ask him if it was still ok to nurse my baby or if my milk would be too hot :o .
I also felt achy all over.
I think after about two days on the antibiotic I was getting better.
I don't know exactly what causes it either - perhaps there was a break in your skin that allowed bacteria to get in or something. Changing your nursing position may help.
Here are some articles about it
http://www.askdrsears.com/html/2/T022200.asp
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/mastitis/DS00678
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mom/mastitis.html
I hope that you feel better soon.

 

[jgonz]

I LOVE the Kellymom site!!! And that article that Christianmomof3 posted is wonderful: http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mom/mastitis.html

I had recurrent breast infections with my youngest. I must have had at least 10... Looking back now, I think part of my problem was that my bras were too tight... Mastitis can also be a signal from your body that you're trying to do too much. Slow down, make sure you are giving your baby plenty of time at each nursing session.

Typical things we recommend for relieving mastitis are:
~ continue to nurse the baby no matter how uncomfortable it is
~ warm compresses/showers
~ nurse Frequently On the affected side
~ point the baby's nose Towards the plugged duct (so whatever position that is)
~ wear a non-underwire bra
~ if you're taking antibiotics, also take a Probiotic or at least Acidopholus (or you could end up with Thrush)
~ drink TONS of water
~ sleep/rest as much as possible (take the baby to bed with you for a couple of days if you can)
~ you can also take Zinc, Vit.C, Bioflavanoids, Garlic, and Activated Charcoal. These will help kill infection (or in the Charcoal's case suck up toxins), boost immune system, and help get you back to normal quicker.

I never did take antibiotics when I had all those breast infections~ I treated myself alternatively with the herbs and vitamins listed above. Usually, whether you use antibiotics or alternative methods, you'll see improvement within 3 days.

HTH~

 

[~Mrs. A2J~]

I had mastitis twice with my son. The first was when my son was 2 weeks old and it was horrible. The antibiotics worked pretty quickly for me and I alternated between acetimenophen and ibuprofen to keep the fever down and help with the pain. And as much as it hurts you will get over mastitis faster if you nurse a lot on the infected breast. It can be tempting not to use it because it hurts but you can get plugged ducts etc. if you don't nurse regularly with the infected breats.

But rest assured there is light at the end of the tunnel. Even after 2 bouts with mastitis I am still nursing my son and he's now almost 18 months old. So you can push through!