Mastitis Breastfeeding

Causes

Breast infections are mostly caused by bacteria found on normal skin. The bacteria usually enter through cracked nipples. The infection is in the fatty tissue of the breast which causes a swollen breast, and pain in the breast tissue.

Things that could cause this breast infection:

- Sore or cracked nipples, although it can develop without an open wound.

- Pressure on the milk ducts– Caused by a tight bra etc.

- Not draining your beasts from all the milk which causes blocked milk ducts

Mastitis symptoms (symptoms of breast infection):

- One side of the breast can become larger than the other

- Breast lumps may occur

- Sore breast (tender breast)

- You could have fever and flu-like symptoms (nausea & vomiting) Body aches

- Your breasts might become itchy

- A nipple discharge (puss like substance) and nipple pain

- Your breasts may feel hot and you may feel some breast tenderness

- You may find that you have enlarged lymph nodes under your arms.

- Your milk supply may decrease temporarily

- You might notice that your milk seems thicker or has a fatty look to it.

Mastitis treatment

If you are not breastfeeding and suspect that you have a breast abscess, tests may include a mammogram or breast biopsy.

Self-care

- Carry on breastfeeding. Breastfeeding will help to clear the infection and relieve some breast soreness.

- Apply warm compresses to the breast or take a warm shower before breast-feeding or pumping milk.

- Wholesome foods will help to strengthen your immune system

- Massage gently but firmly from the plugged region toward the nipple.

- Try nursing while leaning over baby ("dangle feeding") so that gravity helps in loosening the plug.

- Use cold compresses between feedings for breast pain & breast inflammation.

- Vary baby's position at the breast, so that all the blocked ducts are emptied

Natural medicine that will help heal mastitis:

- Garlic: Take three cloves of garlic with four ounces of carrot juice mixed in a blender every two hours.

- Comfrey leaves and calendula flowers: Boil them and put them to the breast warm, at least four times daily, the comfrey and calendula will ease the sore nipples and help draw out the infection and clear the ducts.

- Raw cabbage leaves put directly on the infected area of the breast will help draw out the heat and infection. The cabbage will also bring down the swelling of the engorged breast.

- Cold, grated raw potato can be used as a poultice. Apply directly onto your sore breasts.

- Vitamin C can be used to improve the body's resistance and help boost the body's production.

- Calendula herb heals skin at a rapid rate.

- Fenugreek tea or fenugreek capsules help for overall health.

- Other herbs that are safe to use that can help

Severe infections (chronic mastitis)

If an abscess develops it will need to be drained. Women with abscesses may be told to temporarily stop breast-feeding. IV antibiotics, are often necessary.

Signs suggesting you need antibiotic treatment:

- A history of recurring mastitis

- A fever that is rising

- You are feeling worse as time goes by

- If your breast become red,

- Hot,

- Swollen,

- If your lymph nodes under your armpit become sore or swollen.

- A Persistent fever, dizziness or confusion

- You feel a lump in your breast

- Your breast pains while breastfeeding

Prevention (mastitis control)

- Take care of your nipples while breastfeeding, clean then after every breastfeeding session etc.

- Make sure that all milk is removed from your breasts by breastfeeding with pumping if necessary. This will prevent plugged ducts.

- Make sure that baby is latching on properly

- Wean slowly , over a period of weeks so that your breasts can adapt to the amount of breast milk that they need to produce.

- Try to breastfeed equally from both breasts.

- Avoid dehydration by drinking lots of fluids.

- Make sure that baby’s mouth is clean before every breastfeeding session.

- Avoid sleeping on your stomach so that your breasts are not squashed against the mattress.

If the infection doesn't clear up after taking antibiotics, go back to your doctor. A rare type of breast cancer — inflammatory breast cancer — can also cause the same symptoms as mastits. (redness and swelling)

Many moms feel that they want to give up on breastfeeding after a while due to the many different difficulties they might be experiencing during breastfeeding, but can I please encourage you to read our page on the benefits of breastfeeding, not just for your baby but for your sake too.  

Other pages on "breastfeeding problems" related to mastitis

- Weaning baby from breastfeeding

- Breastfeeding with diabetes

- Nipple pain

- Breastfeeding diet guidelines

- Herbs that can heal mastitis