i have mastitis errrrr

[angelickaren]

hi i have been sick this week with a gastro was amitted to hospital on thursday was on a drip for 24 hours i could not bf for 12 hours due to ever time she latched on i would throw up so i express and gave her my milk i have now developet mastitis and oh my god its pain full and i cant bf due to im on antibiotics she is on formula and i am expressing but i just feel so depressed about it all i just feel so yucky i just feel like i have failed the dr has also told me that their is no guantee that my milk wont dry up im just so unhappy any advice would be great

[PhAnToM]

hi i have been sick this week with a gastro was amitted to hospital on thursday was on a drip for 24 hours i could not bf for 12 hours due to ever time she latched on i would throw up so i express and gave her my milk i have now developet mastitis and oh my god its pain full and i cant bf due to im on antibiotics she is on formula and i am expressing but i just feel so depressed about it all i just feel so yucky i just feel like i have failed the dr has also told me that their is no guantee that my milk wont dry up im just so unhappy any advice would be great

aww... i'm so sorry you've been so unwell. :hugs:
I feel your pain.
I've had mastitis more times than I care to remember... though the pain is hard to forget.
Is there no antibiotic you can take while bf? I know i could have one while pg, so is there no chance of an antibiotic that is safe while bf?
I'd contact ABA and ask. They should be able to recommend something for your situation.
If you keep the fluids up, rest as much as possible and express continuously, your supply should be ok. You may find your little may prefer the bottle if they are not put on the breast for while. Double edged sword.

Sorry I can't offer much else...
I hope you recover quickly.

and don't forget, as long as your baby is healthy and getting nutrition, you are not failing. Sometimes there are decisions that are not in our hands. Becoming ill is not something you intentionally did.. you are not a failure!

[LillynJonson]

I had mastitis when my DS was a few weeks old due to incorrect attatchment and thought I had it again this week but :fingerscrossed: it has passed. I had to go on antibiotics too which I wasn't too happy about but kept expressing to keep up my milk supply. Have you got an electic breast pump? If not you can get one from maternal child health centres or hire them from a chemist. I was originally using an avent hand pump but it wasn't draining them thoroughly so I hired a medalla elctric double pump and it worked wonders! Placing warm facewashers in your bra for about 10 mins beforehand helps too as does firmly massaging the lump towards your nipple. Partners are good for that part;) . You'll feel like a cow but if you keep expressing every few hours and making sure both breasts are fully drained your milk supply should be fine. Good luck!

[Binkstar]

I agree with the face washers. I used to stand for ages just running hot water over the face washer and placing them on my ever so heavy, hot breast. It really worked and massaging the lumps in a downward action right after the hot face washer was placed on them provided good relief. All the best for any relief and comfort.:fingerscrossed:

[LillynJonson]

Just thought I'd add another tip woth the facewashers......if you wet them and zap them in the microvave until they're steaming and then fold them neatly and wrap in gladwrap they stay hot for ages.......you may nees to put a tissue or something in between though and be careful not to burn yourself cos they can get quite hot :eek:

[angelickaren]

yeah i have hired a breast pump so i am expressing every couple of hours i had two hot showers during the night too hand express then i expressed with the pump i just feel so unwell with it i hope to be feeling better tomora :fingerscrossed:

[kadownie]

Surely there's an antibiotic you can take that is ok to breastfeed with- it makes me mad as doctors seem to be so uninformed about breastfeeding.. but that's another rant....

Seriously though- you will be able to breastfeed again- when my twins were a couple of weeks old I had to take some antibiotics to clear up a uterine infection- they had bottles for a week- and I just pumped every couple of hours- including in the night time- it's important to express in the night if your bub is really young- I know it's a pain but it will keep your supply going.

I did have a bit of trouble with reattaching them to the breast afterwards- but with perseverence we did it!! Maybe if you have some trouble- get some help from the ABA or a lacatation consultant. Actually- ask at the hospital if there is a lacatation consultant you can see- if you are at a hospy that has a birthing unit there will be one available- as you are a breastfeeding mother I'm sure you are entitled to see one!!!

Keep on pumping and you'll be right- hope you feel better from the mastitis soon

[angelickaren]

yeah i am going to see a laction consult at the hospital tomorrow but i feel really angry about is on friday i started to feel a bit like i was gettinga cold and my breast was quite sore i asked the midwive and she said oh no their is no lump but i said its really quite painful and my breast was a little red so i am angry they could have given me something before i got that sick