Mastitis

[TheMamma]

I am wondering if anyone can offer some advice.

I woke up this morning in exruitiating pain on my right breast. It feels like I have been bashed in the breast, from the outer right side to underneath. I don't have any redness though. I feel very fluey, aching all over, sore back...even my hair hurts. I went to the Dr's as suspected I had mastitis (so upset as I never once had it while feeding DD1 for 13 months - and my DD2 is only 3.5 weeks old!) and was put on antibiotics.:(

My question is - once you start the antibiotic, roughly how long does it take to get better?

Also, can mastitis be caused by bad attachment? I am wondering if DD2 is attaching right? Though my nipples are not sore or anything...

[belle27]

My first mastitis bout was from feeding only on one side and the other side blew up like a balloon and I was lucky enough to get cracked nipples and five days in hospital.
The second time was with same bubba, from an underwire bra, and I think I got better after the first night.
The other bouts of mastitis were from scarring, from piercing show, which was a stupid idea on my part (the piercing show being two years before breastfeeding btw).

As far as I know, you get mastitis from anything blocking off the flow and the milk getting infected? It's been a while.

On antibiotics and how long it takes to take effect, I think you should feel better tomorrow, or later today. Depends on how severe, and on how good your immune system is.

I only got redness twice out of the five times I had mastitis. It's only one of the symptoms

Feel better ok!

[Fuchsia!]

when i had mastitis i went to the Dr's that arvo, i started taking the AB's straight away and i wasn't better by the next arvo so i went back and i was admitted to hospy to get on the drip.

It was horrible, i hope you feel better soon and if you feel like you are getting worse go back to your Dr ASAP or even go to the ED. It can get out of hand very fast and it can turn into an abcess and you really don't want that.

Are you ok with managing it? I have loads of tips if you need them

ALso check out the kellymom.com site, it has awesome info

[bronny-jane]

wont take too long.. maybe a day..
keep an eye on your nipple, if you see a tiny pin sized blister pop it... i did and the milk came streaming out:thumbsup:

[love4life]

Hi,

Mastitis can be caused by anything blocking a milk duct (like a tight bra), poor attachment or even weaning.

If your baby is not attached correctly it could mean that she is not emptying your breast properly, hence the build up of milk. The main thing to do is keep on feeding from that breast (both breasts) and if you can express from it too, and express to empty the breast not just for comfort.

You might be able to try feeding your daughter in different positions so that her chin massages the blockage. You mentioned the pain was from the right side to under the breast, maybe try the football hold a few times to get her chin working the under and outer are of your breast.

Some things you can look for to try and work out if she is attached correctly is:
* Your baby's mouth should be covering your nipple and most of the under side of your areola
* her chin should be touching your breast
* There should be a gap between her nose and your breast
* her lips are turned out (like the special K logo)

To encourage her to attach correctly:
* make sure you are both chest to chest and as close as you can be, so unwrap her and keep her arms out of the way... you can wrap her bottom arm around to your side and under your arm
* Support her behind her shoulders not her head, this will encourage her to open her mouth wide before attaching
* Bring her to your breast, not your breast to her
*Hold her so that her mouth is at nipple height, not above or below it.

I hope this helps.

Lorraine.
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[bgbgbb]

I got mastitis twice, once after I'd finished breastfeeding and the other when my baby was about 13 months old.

Your symptoms sound very much like it. I remember my breast feeling like someone had punched it & I felt very fluey, just couldn't get enough energy to get out of bed. My little one was attaching just fine, so I don't know what caused it.

The second time I recognised the signs and got a dr to make a house call. Within 12 hours of taking the anti-biotics I felt so much better.

Breastfeeding her throughout helped relieve some of the pressure too.

So get those anti-biotics into you asap!

[TheMamma]

Thank you so much for all your replies.

I feel so much better today - the antibiotics have really helped....my breast is barely sore at all and all the flu symptoms have gone.

I think attachment is fine - maybe I was just unlucky....but I am going to make sure I watch for any symptoms and catch it early if it ever happens again.

Again, thanks so much for all your advice...it is great to have people to help. :hugs::hugs:

[beebs]

Sometimes you can actually feel where the blockage is, its a big hard lump and hurts badly - I was told to get into as hot a shower I could stand and massage the lump out with a wide tooth comb to free up the blockage.