Mastitis - New Caney, TX

OOOOH, how I feel for you! Mastitis was the worst pain I have EVER felt. When I had it, my doctor told me to pump that side and discard it (for about a week). Using warm compresses will help ease the pain.

Go immediately to the doctor and ask them to test you for inflammatory breast cancer as that's what my grandma had an it started with a red swollen breast. I wish you the very best.

Hi,

I had it in both breasts at the same time. My ob/gyn put me on antibiotics and told me to pump and dump while I was taking them. After I was better I was able to breastfeed again.The sooner you get to the doctor, the sooner you will feel better!

Best of luck,
M.

I have had mastitus before. It is miserable. Yes, the dr. should give you a antibiotic and something for the inflamation. I was told to continue nursing. Yes, it is painful, but also relieving at the same time. Take as many steam showers as you can. You want to make sure a milk duct does not stay clogged. That can be even more painful!
You might want to make sure that you are wearing cotton Bras. If you use breast pads, make sure they are cotton. When I was nursing I liked the medela and Johnson & johnsons brand. You might want to let them air dry until you are recovered. (if possible) Good Luck!!!

Rebekah

response was edited by writer

I had it and it is miserable. I took a really hot shower and let the water hit my breast and that helped with the pain and the chills. The best thing to do is continue nursing, it will not affect your milk. Also get plenty of rest. If I recall correctly the doctor will prescribe an antibiotic.

You will be amazed as to how Essential Oils can help...

Check out this site and see what others have tried.

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N.,

I have had mastitis several times unfortunatly and it is curable, but very uncomfortable. Make sure you massage the red area as much as possible, get that clogged duct unclogged. Most of all KEEP breast feeding! Going to the doctor as soon as you can is very important, like the others said they will give an antibiotic. Hot showers and massage, massage, massage from the back of the breast towards the nipple. Good luck!
Oh and to prevent future issues call a lactation specialist because most likely your baby is not latching on correcty. That is why the milk isn't draining from that one side. They can help tremendously!

I struggled with this off and on nursing my boys. Keep nursing, always start your feedings on that breast. Get the antibiotic prescription that you probably need. Remember to take probiotics or at least eat yogurt to help your body replenish the good organisms that are wiped out by the antibiotics. For prevention of plugged ducts/mastitis in the future, I highly recommend taking a supplement called lecithin. You can find it in almost any vitamin section. This essentially STOPPED all my problems with plugged ducts. One pill a day. Good for you too!

Good luck.

My daughter had Mastitis with her first son, got on antibiotics which did no good and within a few days was hospitalized. Turns out it had turned into a staph infection so be real careful with yours.

I had it twice and yes it sucks. As long as your fever is below 105 you can breast feed. If your fever is to high then you must pump. antibiotics the doctor gives you are fine with breastfeeding. To help with the pain take warm showers and massage your breast. Heating pads work. Also when you are just sitting around, driving, etc massage your breast. It will hurt but it will help get the clog out. You will need to change your breast pad more often because as you massage milk will come out.

I have had minor cases of mastitis twice, but I recognized what was happening both times and nipped it in the bud before I needed antibiotics. It sounds like you should go see your doctor, but for the future, here's what I recommend if you feel it coming on.

Heat, rest, and an empty breast.

Heat: I use a hot water bottle, but any of the things other moms have suggested would work (shower, heating pad, microwaved cloth diaper). Whatever works best for you.

Rest: If possible, take a day off of work or if you work at home, spend as much time as possible lying around with your child. Mine was pretty accommodating if I brought books and toys to bed. Mastitis is often a sign that you are doing too much and you need to slow down (my first case happened my first week back at work).

Empty Breast: Your baby is best for this. Babies do a much better job of sucking that pumps, so if possible, have baby nurse a lot. I have found that visualization helps (but maybe that's my imagination). The last time I had mastitis, I visualized the plug in my duct breaking up and coming out while my son was nursing, and within 20 minutes of that, my fever broke and I started to feel much better. Another, kind of hard to do, thing that I've heard works is having the baby nurse so that his/her chin is pointed toward the painful spot. Apparently that is how you get the best suction in a given area.

I'm sorry you are going through this. It's definitely no fun. Whatever you do, keep nursing! It's important to keep your breast empty when you have mastitis.

Go to the doctor ASAP! It clears up very quickly with antibiotics. You will still be able to nurse without any problems.

Apply warm compresses as often as you can, especially 10 minutes before breast feeding. Always offer the inflamed breast first no matter how it hurts. Your DR. will give you a prescription for an antibiotic but you can take IB Profin for the pain.

You should express and discard all milk from the infected breast until you get the all clear from your doctor. It usually takes a week or two for the antibiotic to clear the infection. (May be quicker now. It's been 18 years since I had the same problem.)

Go to the doctor. If you're having fever, then it is mastitis. Keep nursing, though! That is very important. A lot of people think you can't nurse, but you SHOULD. Here is the link to kellymom and what they have to say. It's easier than me typing it all!!! http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mom/mastitis.html

GL!!!

So sorry you're under the weather. Same thing happened to me last year at this time My son was only two weeks old and my fever went from 99 to 103 in just an hour or so and I did think I had the flu. My hubby took me to the ER (of course it had to happen at night and on the weekend) and the doc was super. I got a 10 day supply of some stout anti-biotics which took care of it completely! Don't waste any time-go on now. You will feel so much better once the meds kick in. I don't take pain meds b/c they upset my stomach, but they did offer them. Just FYI! Good luck, congrats, and get better soon!

Along with the other responses you have had...INSIST...I REPEAT. INSTIST
on getting checked for IBC...Inflammatory Breast Cancer. It IS real, and is to very often over looked.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_D_5tXybj-E
if this link does not work google: KOMO IBC and watch the video titled original report.

As others have already said, keep nursing! Don't stop. The bacteria causing the infection will not get passed to your baby. You will end up on antibiotics today. You might talk with your doctor about giving your baby a probiotic. Mine have been on Baby's Jarro-Dophilus +FOS, by Jarrow Formulas, since infancy. It really helps prevent other issues when a baby is getting any form of antibiotics. Once you are on antibiotics, you will start feeling much better very soon.

Breastfeed, breastfeed, breastfeed it worked for me. Also try to sleep and rest. I has the same thing last year and luckly after a full day in bed and lots of nursing it went away, mine may have been early Mastitis though so keep the Dr. appointment.

I have had it twice, once with my second child and once with my third. Both of my cases stemmed from improper latch technique which led to cracked nipples. Once your nipples crack, it allows bacteria to enter into your bloodstream from the baby's mouth. The bacteria then starts an infection of your milk ducts.

Yes, it hurts like nothing and it makes you want to stop nursing. Keep nursing!!! If you don't, you will get engorged and this will worsen the problem. Also, I found that once I was put on antibiotics and the mastitis symptoms cleared up, nursing was easy and my nipples didn't hurt anymore. My third child is now 19 weeks old and still nursing :).

Hang in there, you will feel better by tomorrow!

I had it with my son. Like the others before me said, see the doctor and get an antibiotic. When I had my daughter, I left the hospital with a prescription ready to be filled.
Luckily it did not occur. I did not want to go through that main again.

I don't remember a whole lot about mastitis, but I do remember that it was SO painful and that I had to take medicine to get well. (My youngest is almost 27!!!)

Don't delay in seeing your doctor. You'll be surprised at how quickly the medicine helps you. As for the breastfeeding, I'm not sure what you should do. But I seem to remember that your breastmilk when you have mastitis is not good for the baby. (Like I said, it's been a long time.)

I had the same thing when my son was nursing and my Mom's advice (she nursed all four of us) was to get into bed, take the baby with you, and let the baby nurse on that affected side continually or at least on demand. Hot compresses or a hot shower on your breast will help, especially if you can express some milk out in the shower under the hot water. Your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic if it is more than just a plugged duct, but do yourself and your baby a favor and don't discontinue breast feeding. I have heard of many momma's giving up breastfeeding per the Dr's advice.
Hope that you get to feeling better soon.

Hi,

I had mastitis when my daughter was 19 months. My doctor gave me a strong dose of antibiotics and I quit breastfeeding. My breast was red and hot. I also had fever and chills. They will put you on an antibiotic. Just let them know if you want to continue breastfeeding. They will give you meds that are safe for the baby. Good luck!

Yes- I had this with the second daughter- Use a heating pad, hot showers etc to get the clogged duck to "loosen up"- if you have a breat pump use it only on that one and see if you can get it moving. I did have to have antibiotics but they will give you something that won't affect baby- call your OB rather than general practictioner. MAssage of the breat will also help. Also- drink LOADS of water- don't give up! This will pass-

Hi N. D,
I asked my sister who is a nurse and she request you seek treatment from your doctor as soon as possible. Mastitis is usually caused by wearing nursing bras or breast pads to tight. I read that the best treatment for mastitic is to continue breast feeding to keep the milk flowing and draining from the infected tissue, It is safe for you and your baby. "In the meantime, while you're waiting for the antibiotics to take effect, treat the pain of the inflammation with acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Before you nurse, use a warm, wet cloth on the affected breast to stimulate the flow of milk. A cold compress will help reduce the pain between feedings. Massaging the breast will help keep the milk flowing as well. If it hurts too much to nurse on the affected breast, try starting on the other side and switching as soon as the milk lets down, or starts flowing." Well I hope this helps. Good luck and I will pray that everytning goes well. Congratulations on your new baby!

Definitely get on antibiotics ASAP! I had it twice - it's not fun. Keep breast feeding and get lots of rest (if that is possible). A great trick my friend told me that works is take a new diaper and pour some water in it. Then, microwave it for a short time. Use it like a heating pad on your breast, just check it to make sure it's not too hot. Good luck and stick with it! :)

I had that when I had my daughter some 11+ years ago. If you are having fever and chills, you most likely have an infection and do need to get to the dr. I took an antiboitic that was safe and felt much better the next day. You may want to put very warm washcloths on the effected part of your breast. Anytime it feels like a duct isn't releasing the milk, warmed not burning cloths can help "loosen" that up. Best of luck, I know that is painful.

I had mastitis about 4-6 weeks after I gave birth. They'll give you an antibiotic that you need to take to kick the infection. You will have to pump to empty your breast and your shooting pains will go away fairly quickly. But the pain will go away and there will be no change in breast feeding (at least there wasn't for me). The only thing you need to remember is if you bring your baby in and they ask if your baby is on any medicine you have to let them know what you're on b/c it does pass through to the baby.
Hope this helps!

I had it with 3 out of my 4 children. It is very painful but the good news is that once you start the antibiotic you will feel soooo much better. In the meantime if you have a pump you must get that clogged duct unclogged. It helped to have a friend there or your husband can help. Get 2 washclothes and wet them. Wring them out well. Heat them one at a time and press them to your breast to warm your breast fully concentrating on the very sore area. Have your pump ready to go as you are warming your breast. After alternating washcloths a few times begin pumping. You can massage and continue to warm at the same time you are pumping. You will know the clog duct is clear when the milk begins to come out of that particular hole in your nipple and doesn't stop. All the other ducts may not be giving any more but you need to pump until that one is completely clear. Good luck my friend- you will get through this. By the way the antibiotic that the dr. gives you will not hurt your baby so you can feel free to use the milk that you pump or store it in the freezer!

Massage in a very warm shower multiple times. This will loosen up any clogging and help with pain. You can still breastfeed as long as you can tolerate it, but most will likely come from the other breast. But, it is important to breastfeed from that side as much as you can and always use it first until it goes away (then go back to rotating sides). Your baby will suck harder on the first one offered and it will help clear up the infection.

I did have mastitis with my first son. It is very painful. I was running 103 fever, aches, chills, just like the flu. I also had a red hard area on the bottom side of my breast. I had to buy a pump and pump for a while because it was too painful. The doctor put me on an antibiotic. Because of the antibiotic my son and I both developed thrush. Him in his mouth and me in my breast. Which made breastfeeding horrible. Ask your dr. for Diflucan also. The second time I developed mastitis I also was on Diflucan and didn't get thrush. Good luck.