Help for Mastitis

[sopolicha]

Hello there, whilst visiting the lactation consultant this morning I have come down with mastitis. It cut the visit severley short.

She has given me a few hints - vitamin C, empty the breast and nurofen.

Other than attending the doctor for a dose of antibiotics do any of you cluely breastfeeding gurus out there have any other hints of the top of your heads.

Thank you - must go lie down now.

[Crazyfamily]

Hi,
I have had mastitis and I was told to feed from the affected side first. I also needed anti biotics but i was told not to take nurofen while breadfeeding.

[JanetF]

I'm so sorry. Mastitis is horrible! I was threatened with it once but found a few hours of homeopathics headed it off. *hugs* and healing vibes to you :)

http://www.kellymom.com/herbal/natural-treatments.html#mastitis

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mom/mastitis.html#antibiotics

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mom/mastitis.html

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mom/recurrent-mastitis.html

[ThomasMum]

Ouch, sopoli. Unfortunately I’m not a BF guru, but I thought Id share my painful experience with you as I too had mastitis: have a lot of shower whichever comfortable for you hot or cold shower, use the breast pump (Avent brand for me) for the time being until the pain eases off, and don’t try to be superwoman by not taking any pain relief like panadols and yes they are quite harmless for the bub I took some panadols as recommended by my brother who is an OB within a week my problem was truly over…and no I didn’t take any antibiotics...

Hope you'll get better soon, sopoli!

Best regards,

Thomas'sMum

[xkwzit]

Hi
I had mastitis with DD2 and while my GP gave me a script, she said that I might not need to fill it. But I was feverish and shivering and with a toddler as well as a newborn, did not see the point in trying to soldier on, I got the script filled and was better quite quickly. Sometimes you've just got enough to deal with.

Cheers

ps some AB are better than others for mastitis, if you decide to see the doc, call the lactation consultant first to get an idea of the most effective ones.

[Chickadee]

I haven't had mastitis but I remember something about positioning bub for feeds so that their chin is pointed towards or over the main lump. I guess this gives it a bit of a massage as they feed and helps clear it out. Maybe someone else can confirm that.

[sopolicha]

Thanks ladies for all your advice.

I was ordered to the GP and I am glad that I went. As much as I don't like the antibiotics I am glad that I am taking them.

It is really quite scary how quick and nasty it comes on.

xkwzit - thanks for the tip but this LC did not seem to keen on anything to do with medical establishment - but she was very helpful none the less.

[megs]

Hi
I ended up with mastitis in both breasts with my first baby and could not get rid of the lumps so I decided to stop breastfeeding as I could not stand the pain any longer. When I got mastitis with my second thankfully my GP referred me to a physiotherapist who used ultrasound over the lumps which breaks them up and they disappeared after a few days and I am so happy to still be breastfeeding after 6 months.

megs

[aardvark]

When I had mastitis after #1 years ago, the (then) Nursing Mothers' Association counsellor I dragged from bed at 3am suggested I put either hubby's electric razor or a vibrator against the lump, as the vibrations might help break up the blockage.

It did seem to help.

[Terrible2+1cutie]

I always found that massaging the breast helps alot too.

Catherine