ouch. is this mastitis?

[workin'mumof2]

ive done a bit of googling and i "think" it it but not sure if its just blocked duct..

i accedently got a hicky from ruby last night on my right boob. surprizingly she didnt whinge not getting milk... and woke up with a headache not thinking anything of it.. through out the day ive been feeling off. not fluey though. like dizzy.

so anyway i have a redish spot on my right boob now.. not near the hickey and im wondering if its sore when i press on it and feed from that side is this mastitis or the beggining of.. i have a heat pack on it.. as that what it says to do if its sore b4 a feed.. and after a feed to put something cool on it.. is that right... lol..

any info u ladies have would be great..
can i take anything stronger.... ie nurofen or would that affect the baby...

[MilkOnTap]

Yep - that sounds like the beginnings of mastitis to me.

Firstly, hop into a hot hot shower and massage the breast gently from the outside towards the nipple, concentrating on the blocked duct. Gently but firmly massage the duct until you can feel the blockage getting smaller and smaller.

Panadol is safe while bf'ing - not sure about nurofen. I think it is - but panadol is what you need.

I have never heard anything about putting anything cool on a breast after a feed - everything I have learned/read is to keep heat and warmth. To my mind, to put a cold pack on a blocked duct would make it even harder to break down...? Kind of like when you put chocolate in the fridge; it goes hard.

Most importantly, keep your lil one feeding from the breast with the blocked duct. Keep on massaging the blockage while bub is feeding too - this will also help break it down.

If you feel same/worse in the morning I would head to the dr's for antibiotics. The dizziness and flu-iness of mastitis can get really bad (I had it badly anyway) and its horrible! Good luck and keep up the massage and heat packs :hugs:


(Just remember - this too will pass! Once your supply settles down there will be no more mastitis or booby issues :yes:)

[La Que Sabe]

personally i woudnt take any drugs while b/f.

the best thing i've discovered for mastitis is frozen cabbage leavess!! sounds weird, but is definitely worth a try!! put them on any time! =] guud luck.

[MilkOnTap]

Cabbage leaves have an enzyme in them that definitely dries up the milk and relieves blocked duct... This enzyme is VERY strong, and may affect your total supply in that breast - a lot of women who want to wean their baby use cabbage leaves to dry up their supply. It doesn't take much but I have heard of women inadvertently drying up and needing to re-establish their supply! Not really worth it in the long term IMO...

:hugs: Good luck! Start with the massage, heat packs and hot showers and then reassess how bad the blockages are.

[La Que Sabe]

the cabbage leaves definitely worked for me and my sister and a ciuple of friends and we're all still b/f and had no probs! =]

[the_queen]

:iagree: with MOT, it may help to put a cabbage leaf on for a very short time but the reason it helps is because it "dries your milk up" so I wouldn't recommend this especially during the early days of breastfeeding.


Point bubbies nose towards the redness, and feed in that position. Sounds weird. But by doing that, the direct sucking pressure will clear out that particular milk duct. It might look weird and you might have to hold bubby in a weird position, but it works!

Take paracetomol if you have to, but my recommendation would be to highly dose yourself with vitamin C, and fresh garlic if you can tolerate it :D slice it thinly and put it in a lovely green salad, that's an easy way to eat it fresh. But lots and lots and LOTS of vitamin C, drink plenty of water, and FEED FEED FEED.


(And I used to get hickeys from night-time co-sleeping feeds too :laughing:)

[meggs]

Rosie ...I posted in our thread but I have found that massaging the blocked duct, feeding first on that side even though it is painful and heat packs work for me and I have had the problem a few times... I take panadol and have done since leaving hospital for pain relief...

Def get it checked out if it doesnt go away in 24hrs....

[julietv8]

Just keep the boobie as empty as possible, If I get a blocked duct, I feed twice on that boob, and just express a bit off the other one.

Heres the advise the ABA gave me

Sometimes a duct, which carries the milk from the glands deep in the breast, becomes compressed
or narrowed and blocked. Milk then banks up behind the blockage, a lump forms and your breast
begins to feel sore. Ducts in the breast can become blocked at any time during lactation and there
are many causes. In some cases only one duct is affected, while in others you are so sore and lumpy
that it appears that a whole segment of the breast is involved.
You can suspect a blocked duct if you have a lumpy or engorged area on your breast. It may feel
sore and some redness may or may not be visible. It may be more painful when the milk lets down.
If you cannot clear the lump, the breast will become inflamed and you may begin to feel feverish.
See your medical adviser immediately if this occurs or if you cannot clear a blocked duct within 12
hours.

• Rest as much as you can.
• Keep the affected breast as empty as possible by feeding frequently.
• Apply warmth to the affected area for a few minutes before a feed.
• Feed from the affected breast first, when Oliver's sucking is most vigorous.
• Gently but firmly massage the lump toward the nipple during (and after) feeds.
• Massage the breast gently while Oliver feeds.
• Change feeding positions to help drain the affected ducts
• Hand express as necessary, before, after and between feeds.
• Cold packs after a feed may help relieve pain and reduce inflammation.
• Massaging the affected area firmly towards the nipple while in the bath or shower can also
help.
• See your medical adviser if these measures do not clear the lump within 12 hours, or if you
develop a fever or feel unwell.

If you find you are prone to blocked ducts, it is wise to avoid pressing on the nipple to stop
leaking. Use nursing pads to help keep your bra and clothing dry. Compressing the areola to slow
down a fast flow can also lead to blockages, especially if the same ducts are compressed each time.
It is safer to take your baby off the breast and allow the milk to flow freely into a clean cloth nappy
or towel.
Depressing the breast to make an airway for baby’s nose may also cause a blockage. Most babies
can breathe easily while feeding and will come off if they cannot. If you feel Oliver's nose is buried,
gently lift the breast from below with the flat of your hand, well back from the areola, or bring his body in closer to yours.
Clothing can sometimes be the culprit. Tight bras, tops or swimsuits; nightwear, bulky jumpers or
sweat-shirts tucked under your arm while feeding — even the straps from a backpack or your baby
sling when worn on your back — can all place pressure on your breasts, leading to blockages. Some
mothers have found that a too-tight seat belt in the car is enough to cause problems. All of these
causes can easily be avoided.

[workin'mumof2]

:crying: i went to the docs and im on antibiotics. and i am to go back tuesday evening for a check up..

she said it might turn into an abscess but whats that? and will it effect breastfeeding?

[julietv8]

an abcess is where the duct gets infected, if it is, then you shouldnt feed her on it, instead just feed on the good boob, and express the infected one (so you dont lose supply) Hopefully the antibiotics will sort it out soon. Watch out for diahorrea in your bubba