Mastitis - Saint Paul,MN

I had mastitis too recently. My daughter didn't eat well on that side either. I read that the bacteria that causes mastitis can make your milk taste salty. If you can get your son to nurse better on that side it will help you cure it faster. I ended up being able to nurse my way out of it without having to take the antibiotic. I know that my supply also temporarily dropped because of the infection too. My dr. said usually when you get sick your supply will drop for a short time while your body needs energy to fight the illness/infectio. Good luck and God bless!

www.llli.org
find a local or nearby la leche league!

your son eating more often isnt unusual; especially if hes having a growth spurt or coming up to one. he needs to increase your supply to grow, and in order to increase supply, hes going to need to be nursing and stimulating the breast very often!

but i would talk to a la leche league leader, go to a meeting, talk to other moms. likely theres someone who has been there, and who knows what its like, and how you feel, and everything. ;) you will be encouraged.! :)

good luck, and just keep nursing. even if you think your son isnt getting anything, he likely is because breasts are always making milk. and it doesnt matter if one side makes more milk than the other, your milk supply is soley determined on his stimulation and nursing. :) just keep at it: its a hard job some days, but you can do it! :)

I have had three children, nursed them all til they were two or older and have had mastitis at least 3 times. The best cure, without taking drugs, which is preferable is to take cabbage leaves and score the veins and put it on the affected area and change them every hour or two ( it pulls the infection out). I wear them at night also. Hot compresses and having the baby nurse as much as possible from that side and you will be feeling better in a day or two. If you are taking the antibiotics....be sure you are taking large doses of probiotics (not just yogurt) to help build up the good bacteria that the antibiotics are killing off or your immune system will be depresses.

I self diagnosed myself with mastitis a few weeks ago. My breast was larger, I felt a sore lump- about 1/4 of my breast. I had him nurse every hour or more on that side! That is what you need- if he is hungry that is even better! I didn't go on meds- I did bed rest for 2 days and just nursed so that he could get that milk out, and get my flow going again. Heat compresses helped as well! Hope this helps! I looked up info on line for suggestions and help and that was what I came up with! ;)

B. Miller
www.livetotalwellness.com/themillers

I had mastitis several times with my 3rd son and I am sorry you are dealing with it. It is not fun! I am sure your Dr. told you to always start nursing on the side that is affected. The heat compresses work well. Also make sure you are using different positions to nurse.
Also, eat eggs. I was avoiding eggs while nursing because my second son has an egg allery and I didn't want it to happen with my 3rd. In researching mastitis with a LeLeche League leader we foud out there is something in egg whites that can decrease your likelyhood of getting mastitis.
I would relish in the fact your son wants to nurse more often right now. Stress can cause your supply to go down so don't worry about your supply while you are dealing with this. Once you are better you can do other things like fenugreek or mothers milk tea to increase your supply if you are still worried about it.
Good luck to you.

Mastitis can impact supply, but it should work itself back up in time. I am a full time pumper and I have dealt with Mastitis ALOT. My suggestion for you would be to pump after he eats everytime...this will increase your supply. And will help you through the mastits...!