mastitis for the 5th time!!

[O&GMUM]

Im still breast feeding my almost 10 month old twins and have mastitis again! This will be the fifth time, I only finished my last course of anti biotics 3 weeks ago.
It always occurs on the same side in the same place. Feel really yucky but not too fevery this time. has anyone got any advice, I would stop breastfeeding but I cant get DS to take a bottle.
Im feeding them 3 times a day.

[Crazy Monkey]

I'm sorry I cant really offer any advice... I haven't had mastitis but did have the starting of it (according to my GP), I didn't get the flu symptoms...

Once I felt the tenderness and a lump, I tried expressing that side, when that didn't work, I just put DS back to the breast and massaged the lump while he drank... also while in the shower, I massaged the lump under the top water... Within 24-36 hours, it was gone...

What I had was pretty painful, so I feel for you.. All the best...

[hayleylea]

ohhh i feel sorry for you my sister had it and it was horrible. Have you tried all sorts of bottles/teats on your DS? I gave up breast feeding with DS was 3 months old...not by choice really as i had a kidney stone and was on morphine for a week :eek: i was sick for ages so i decided it was better for me to get well so i put him on a bottle...he wouldnt take any bottles but the NUK ones!? I suppose you could try him on al different ones but it is costly. Hope you feel better soon

[Goosie22]

Have you tried soaking your sore boob in warm water and epsome salts? This can help. The fit of your Bra might cause some problems if too tight or restrictive in some way?

Drainage feeding can help also in the begining stages of mastits ~ its like upside down posture feeding ie lay the baby/babies down on the floor, straddle over them with your boobs hanging down(no bra or top) and get them to feed while your in all fours. If you have a spare hand handy you could try compression at the same time(hubby might help with this).

You probably do this but its worth mentioning to be really careful about washing hands and have a clean bra each day(changing breastpads often to)
Hope this helps:)

[MrsMiggins]

I too was miserable after recurrent bouts of mastitis. :( I know how you feel!

Do you or your Dr know why you keep getting it? For recurrent mastitis, there is usually a reason for it. Mine was due to severe cracked, bleeding nipples that would not heal - because of this, it allows infection to enter easily. It is often due to thrush. Have you checked for that also? I tried everything to keep it at bay! The saline rinses, airing my nipples, the cabbage leaves etc. etc. etc. but it kept on coming back regardless.

My Dr (who is a strong advocate of BF) actually suggested in the end I wean my bub as it was affecting our whole household - not good for our wee one. I was devestated, but deep down knew it was for the best. Unfortunately I had to wean my baby at 6 weeks old.

I found it difficult for my bub to take a bottle also. I also found that while there is masses of support for BF mums, it was very, very difficult to find the same level of support for mums having difficulties bottle-feeding.

Talk to your child health nurse, who should be able to help.

What ended up working for me was starting out with a heavier flow teat, then going back to the suggested teat for her age. I'm not sure if that will work for an older baby, but it might. I just found that my bub wasn't quite sure how to suck properly to get the milk flowing from the teat, so switching to a heavier flow teat to start her off made it a little easier for her & got her used to feeding from a teat rather than from a nipple. Would your twins take sipper cups perhaps?

Good luck to you!! I hope you find a solution!

[O&GMUM]

Thanks girls for your messages.

hayleylea.. Ive tried every bottle, teat and formula on the market. My DS is obviously just a boob man. Even drinks water from a bottle or sippy cup but once you put formula or breastmilk in it he is like WHAT THE.

goosie thanks for that I will definately be trying those things, would love to continue BF now that Ive ccome this far and through so many problems

fiona t think I might see a new doctor, have been recommended a good one and might just see what he says about the reocurrance.

xxx

[CrazyBeautiful]

My DS is obviously just a boob man.


MOST MEN ARE.... teehee. I hope you overcome it soon, ouch, you poor thing.

[xkwzit]

Hi O&GMum

First I wanted to say how much I admire your determination. I had mastitis only once and that was enough for me :o . And having got so far, no wonder you'd love to continue on.

You've had a lot of good advice about preventing mastitis, but I did have one more tip to share. If it always starts in the one spot, you've prob got one paticular milk duct that is prone to blocking. My LC told me that something that vibrates, like an electric toothbrush (or any other device ;) ) is often good at shifting these blockages. Maybe you could do this whenever you felt a lump or just every couple of days to a week to try to breakdown any blockage that is there.

Cheers

[O&GMUM]

thanks xkwzit
mmm something that vibrates.... will have to see what I have!!
will definately try that though.
Thanks

[sarah81]

I hae a friend who had recurrent blocked ducts and mastitis and went to see a physio who used ultrasound to help shift blockages. Hope you feel better soon I have had one bout of mastitis and it was awful :)