Trying to avoid mastitis

[Kim2008]

I'm worried that I may be developing mastitis again (last time was just before Christmas). My left breast is tender, which is how it felt last time before the full-blown mastitis developed. I have been giving DS this breast first at every feed since the tenderness started (he feeds on both each time) and I think it is slightly less tender at the moment. However, he now seems to be really fussy on this breast - wriggling and squirming etc. When I give him the right breast he settles down and feeds beautifully.

Has anyone experienced this ? Is it breast refusal ? I'm wondering whether it tastes funny ? or whether there is just much less in that breast and he is getting agitated as its empty ???

Also, does anyone know any other things I can be doing to get rid of the tenderness and avoid another bout of mastitis ??

Thanks

Kim
DS - Oscar - 16/11/05 (14 weeks old)

[lovemybub]

I can so relate to what you are going through! My DD was born exactly a week before Oscar, and I actually posted a thread not so long ago asking whether it was possible that my baby had a preference for a particular breast. Turns out it's not as uncommon as I thought...

Here's some thoughts for you:

1. Your bub could simply have a preference for one breast over the other. It could be for a number of reasons, eg may feel more comfortable on that side (or it may even be that you feel more comfortable holding him on that side, so therefore he is more comfortable on that side. I never really found out why with my bub, but I did find that switching her around and feeding her twin style from the 'bad' breast often worked.

2. If bub is fussing around and not draining one breast you do run the risk of developing mastitis, or blocked milk ducts. The best thing to do to avoid mastitis is to manually (or with a breast pump) drain the breast after you have finished feeding by expressing the leftover.

3. If you have developed a blocked milk duct this could be why Oscar is having trouble feeding and fussing while feeding on that side. My DD will often fuss as a way of telling me that my milk isn't letting down as quickly as she'd like, but that's another story. :rolleyes: I would gently massage the breast and express as much of the milk as you can (a hot washer or running hot water over the breast will help the milk let down). I had to do this two nights ago and the tenderness I was feeling has gone now.

Have to run off to a rehearsal now, but will answer some of your other questions when I get back...

[mama hen]

Kim

I had similar signs to you earlier this year ... very sore to bf and my DD would not like feeding on it. To avoid her fretting too much I expressed the sore breast and offered her this first and then if she was still hungry offer the other breast.

This seems to work for us and the soreness went away within 24 hours. I have to let you know though that it was not a pleasant experience to express and got very sore ... but it is worth sticky with it to avoid Mastitis.

Good Luck with it :o

[Kim2008]

Thanks Ladies.

Lovemybub - when you say fussing, would she pull on and off ? Oscar pulls off and then when he goes back on he has one or two sucks and then just pulls off again. Then he'll grizzle in what seems like frustration. Could that be due to a poor let-down in that breast ??? Is it likely to correct itself when the tenderness goes ? Do you think that I should persist giving him the left breast until a let-down occurs ?

Thanks

Kim

[lovemybub]

Okay, I'm back.

Yes she would pull on and off. It used to frustrate me no end and for a little while there I would dread feed time, particularly at the end of the day when my supply was at its lowest.

It usually means one of two things (well, with me anyway):

1. Poor letdown. If Oscar is really fussing and won't even suck, then I'd put him on the other breast or try and calm him down and then try again. But if he's at least trying to suck I'd give your milk a chance to respond and let down. A warm washer or shower can help with the let down, or you may even be able to express a little with your fingers to get the flow started.

Poor let down can also happen if you're uptight or frustrated, so it's important to try and relax. Maybe get hubby or partner (or anyone else for that matter) to give you a foot massage if you like that kind of thing, or try feeding lying down so you are more relaxed. Of course, the real irony is that the more bubs fusses, the less relaxed you become and the more bub fusses... and so on. And make sure you're drinking lots of water during the day. That can help too.

2. The other option, if he is pulling on and off, is that he still wants to suck but has had enough milk and so keeps pulling off when he gets a mouthful of milk. But it is pretty easy to tell the difference, and if Oscar sounds frustrated to you then it's probably more to do with poor let-down.

So rest assured, your milk doesn't taste funny, and it's not breast refusal as such, although I know I was worried about that too. I think my bub started to learn that one side was more difficult to suck on than the other, and started whinging automatically when I put her to that breast. That's when I tried feeding her twin style on that breast, and that seemed to work. It might take a bit of patience until you find out what works best for you, but my DD is much less fussy now and I'm sure you'll find the same thing happens for you.

As for the mastitis, I think I said before the main thing is to drain the breast. The baby is the best person to do this, but if you can't get him to drain the breast, gently massage the lumps (heat will help) and express the milk. It may be a slow process, but stick with it. I found once I had drained the breast it took a day or so for the tenderness to go away, but I'm fine again now.

Then just remember to drain the breast regularly to avoid mastitis in the future.

Sorry this has been really long winded. I hope I have answered your questions. Just let me know if you have any others or if I've confused you!!! :o

Oh, the pulling on and off could be Oscar's way of telling you he's finished that breast, but if you think there's still milk in there then it's probably a let-down thing. Does that make sense?

Sending happy milk vibes your way...

[Kim2008]

Lovemybub

Many many thanks for the time and effort you've put into your replies :thumbsup: . Just finished the dream feed and he fed pretty well. We'll see how things go tomorrow, but I'm hoping the tenderness goes away.

Kim