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EAT => Breast Feeding => Topic started by: Mum of girl, boy, boy on May 30, 2006, 21:06:21 pm
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This is the story so far.
DS fussy for a couple of weeks. Feeding a bit all over the place. I reckon he's teething as bonjela has been helps. Last night he settled and slept through.
I could feel my left boob feel a bit sore from lying on it when full. This has been normal for the left side after we come out of a bit of a blip. By lunch time my nipple was sore. DS fed and I didn't feel any better.
I took a warm shower and hand expressed and then discovered some puss (too much info, sorry). I saw the nurse and I've been given some antibiotics to take if I don't feel any better in 24 / 36hrs.
DS doesn't want to feed from it. Seems frustrated. I have tried expressing but it didn't see to help until I jumped in the shower again and massaged and hand expressed at the same time. If I push where it hurts and then express I get the puss (not huge amount but a little). I don't know how much I should do this or whether I am going to make it worse.
Has anyone experienced this and found a solution that works for them? Did you end up taking the antibiotics? How did your lo find feeding? If they stopped what did you do? How often should I express?
I still have the red patch but I am not feeling so unwell so I am hoping with a couple of feeds from DS it might clear but I haven't got a clue what to expect. I really hope this is a hurdle and I can get through it without stopping feeding. The nurse said if I stopped feeding the milk would dry up really quick. It's never easy getting a let down with a pump and I am worrying that DS will refuse the best.
Help anyone out there.
Thanks
J
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Hugs - I know - it's hurts too!
The best thing you can do is let him nurse as often as possible. If you can, try and get some help for the next day or two with the kids and try to just take it easy and nurse as much as you can. If he is not nursing well, offer often and then pump. Pumping and nursing is the quickest way to clear up the infection. I have heard that these infections in nursing moms is a "moms form of the flu" - not that you can pass it to the baby, but that it is your bodies way of dealing with a flu virus. That's why its import ant for you to take it easy as much as possible too.
Unless you really want to stop nursing, don't - and pump and offer - it will pass soon and hopefully things will get back to normal quickly.
If you are on antibodies, watch for a yeast infection, they often show up soon after! ;)
The shower and massaging is great too and you are doing no harm - in fact the duct may be blocked and why LO is not wanting to nurse as much - it is hard to get it out - even if it doesn't seem to be doing anything, let him nurse and pump if he is not. I would say at least every 2 hours during the day and as often as he wakes or normally wakes at night.
You can take tylonel to help with the soreness as well.
Check out kellymom.com and lalecheleague.com for more help and hints too!
Hope you are feeling better soon!
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Thanks for those sites.
Its nearly 5am and I've just finished feeding off the bad side and DS did seem to take a pretty big feed. I didn't offer the other one in the hope that he will feed again later. DS is a big feeder and go ages between feeds (like never dropped under 3hrs 15 as a new born, except for a cluster towards the end of the day when I am less full). It obviously makes sense to try and feed more frequent but I can't get DS on sub 4hours. But at least if I put him on then I know he will give it a good go and nearly empty. If I put on before he just takes a bit and bobs off (kinda what got us to here in the first place I think).
I guess I will keep up the showering. Pumping after feeds to make sure I empty and to keep things going. I am going to try and hold of the antibiotics and see if I can clear things first but if I take a turn for the worse I with go for them. I am not that sore at the moment. Lying down and resting is certainly helping so I am straight back to bed. Unfortunately DH has got to work for the next 3 days. I asked if he could take some time off but his job is a bit (a lot!) insecure right now so it wouldn't be a good idea. I suppose I feel a bit frustrated because I don't have any other help around her. I will try and ask a friend over to occupy the toddler and see how it goes.
Thanks again.
J
p.s if anyone else wants to post that's been in this situation I would appreciate your input to. Cheers
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Now THIS I know something about! I had mastitis (breast infection), 3 times in my son's first 6 weeks! Each time I got a high fever (104 once, and I had to go to the ER!), horrible chills, aches, etc. i spent a lot of time with a lactation consultant (who called me a "puzzle" because the infection would go away with antibiotics, and then come back), and this is the advice she gave me (we ultimately determined that I had a huge overabundance of milk that my DS wasn't fully draining, and my breasts were so engorged that he couldn't get a good latch, etc)"
-Nurse every 1.5 to 2 hours, always starting with the infected side, till it clears up (my son didn't refuse to nurse on that side, but I could tell he thought it tasted odd because he wouldn't feed with his usual enthusiasm! I think I read that the milk tastes salty to them??)
-Before every feed, apply heat to the infected side for 10 min. I found these great things that I call boob circles (no idea what they are really called), that you pop into the microwave and can put in your bra (no way I could get a bra on that sore boob, so I just held it on over my breast.
-Rest, rest, rest and drink alot, like you would with the flu. (I'm sure it's super hard with 2 kids running around!!! Wish I had a solution for that one!)
- my LC told me that i should not go 3 hours (at night) without feeding or pumping.
These were her tips for preventing re-occurrence of the infection:
-Make sure the baby is latching on correctly. Mine wasn't, and my nipples were cracked. putting on a lanolin based product after every feed helped.
-Make sure the baby empties 1 breast before moving to the other.
-Avoid tight fitting clothes/bras
-Be careful not to always carry everything on one side (like if you always carry your lo on your right side, make sure and switch it up.) Also, some carriers press against you breasts and can cause infection too (not sure I fully understand the reasoning behind this one, but that's what I was told.)
A few times since then, I've felt the infection coming on again (could feel a plugged milk duct twice and felt shivery twice), and I fought it off by doing the above. Also, http://www.askdrsears.com has some good info on pressure massages, which help clear a blocked duct (although, ouch!!!) And, this sounds odd, but if you nurse with the babies nose pointing toward the duct, it helps clear it as well; putting my son on the floor and hanging my breast over him is what helped me!
Good luck! I can totally sympathize!!!!
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Hi There,
How are you doing? Hang on in there, I think you will start to see some improvements soon but I also think it is really important that you get some help from a breast feeding counsellor and your doctor. I had persistantly blocked nipples for the first 3 months of bf but was fortunate to only have mastitis once. It is important that you get to see a bf counsellor face-to-face if you can as they will be able to look at your technique and make suggestions that will help to get rid of the blockage and prevent further ones from occurring. I have found that doctors/nurses are helpful if you need antibiotics but they very much treat the symptoms, not necessarily help you prevent it from occuring by giving you breast feeding support.
My bf counsellor was from the Breast Feeding Network http://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/. But you can also get good support from the National Childbirth Trust http://www.nct.org.uk/ and the La Leche League http://www.laleche.org.uk/ in the UK.
The main things my bf counsellor told me to do was keep feeding off the infected side. I have been feeding one side at one feed and the other side at the next feed. She told me to use both sides at each feed. Whilst the infection was at its worst I also pumped that side between feeds.
Good luck
Claire
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Hi girls.
Thanks for the replies.
I am not feeling unwell today but just tired but then I fed in the night and DD was up for some unknown reason (DH was great he took care of her so I could rest. I do feel sorry for DH because he's been carrying something for more than a week - we are probably both burnt out)
I have had a shower again this morning after a feed and hand expressed the remaining milk but there wasn't much there. I have a red patch from under my arm towards my nipple. I guess this is where the infection is but it's definitely not so sore today. I don't know whether to start the medication or not.
I know only too well how my Dr can just prescribe for the symptom but not help you with the cause. I got milk fever when my milk came in and he put it down to mastitis. I didn't take the antibiotics he gave me and when the midwife came she said I didn't need to take them as the feeding should clear it. I know it's different this time and perhaps I need to start taking them but the nurse just said if it didn't get better in 24 / 36 hours to start. I know I feel a bit better and I am not so sore but the red patch is still there and pretty big.
I like the idea of seeing a lactation consultant. I think I am going to try and find one now.
Thanks again.
J
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Just wanted to offer some nice gentle {{{{{hugs}}}}}}
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Thanks for the hugs. :)
I have just popped the first antibiotic. I was going to try and wait until this evening to see if the bright red patch had settled down but I am worried it's going to get out of control. I really didn't want to have to take anything. I'm feeling upset about it. For me the whole point of breast feeding is giving my DS the good stuff :( I figured that 7 days of possible upset out weighs the breasts getting worse and me not being able to feed at all.
I know this is going way off track but it's not until something like this happens you think about what breast feeding means to you. I had to have to c-sections and after the birth of my daughter I was determind to breast feed. We got through being tongue tied and other problems. Lets hope this is my little blip with DS and we get through it ok and quickly.
I've been trying all morning to find someone that will say don't take the antibiotics you'll be able to get through it but the more I've been talking to people the more they have advised me to take them.
I just hope DS is ok. I will get DH to go to the shops and get some probiotics or whatever there called. Does anyone know what else I can to make the impact on him less?
By the way I have been prescribed co-amoxiclax (Amoxicillin and Clauvulanic acid). I have been trying to search on the web to double check it's ok to take them. I have heard of doctors not giving the right anitbiotics, not to be doubtful or anything!
Thanks again for the replies.
J
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If you can call a LaLeche League person they usually have a book that tells what meds are okay while BF - I know the amoxiciilian is safe. Not sure on the other one.
the other thing that may help is nursing in a different position, turn him the other way, or lay down differently. If their chin can point to the block it helps free up that blockage.
Hope you are feeling better soon - hang in there - this will pass and things will get back to normal!
Honestly, quitting BF at this point will be more painful then it is now anyway!
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Thanks.
I'll give the La Leche League lady a call.
No way I am planning on giving in yet. My friends all think I am mad for not taking medcines but I had them. I was given so many wrong ones as a kid I don't want to do the same thing for me or the kids again.
Thanks again for the support.
J
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I had to take antibiotics twice for two separate bouts of mastitis. And the pills helped so much!! The pain went away after only a few hours.
And my ds nursed through it all and there were no problems.
I hope it all starts getting better for you.
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I have had 4 bouts of mastitis this time round-- >:( >:(. I recommend taking the antibiotics as soon as prescribed b/c you will feel better much sooner. With my first bout it took nearly 3 days until I felt better and my symptoms had been present for 20 hours when I started meds. The next 3 times, I started antibiotics within 12 hours and felt better within 24 hours. Augmentin is fine (i'm a doc). I am prone after a missed feeding and wearing sports bra (i'm TRYING to get back in shape). Good luck!
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Thanks for your replies.
Oh that does make me feel better. The red patch still hasn't gone down. How long it was before your red patch disappeared?
I reckon it was the missed feed that buggered me up + I had been wearing a new baby carrier (luckily I've still got the receipt). My left side is always the one I am prone to feeling sore when feeds are dropped. I will obviously what out for this next time.
Fingers crossed we can get back on track and I can start thinking about starting solids soon. I obviously will wait until it all settles down before though.
I have continued to feed from the sore side but I am wondering if there is a blocked duct how this goes. I've had 3 showers today and done massage / hand express (not that theres much left after feeding). There is a sore area but will there be an obvious release etc or will it just clear when DS feeds off of it. I just don't want it to return once the infection is cleared up.
Thanks for all the help and advice.
J
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Hi there~
I've had two bouts of mastitis, but luckily neither got infected...but BOY DID IT HURT and I still felt like I had the flu!!!
The first time it happened to my right breast, that makes the most milk, and there was a huge red lightning bolt of a red patch shooting up away from my nipple. I took the advice from Dr. Sears website to nurse from different positions on that breast and rest and I would put a hot wet wash cloth on my that breast for a few minutes before feeding. But I think what helped the most was to take a hot bath, which allows you to relax and to immerse your breast in the water. Sounds funny, but I got much faster releif once I started taking baths.
The next time, I got it on my left breast, which wasn't as bad of a case. I just did the same things as above, and luckily it went away fast.
So try taking baths along with taking the meds. Hang in there...it will be over soon!!! You're doing a great job!!!!!!!
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Thanks.
Its getting better. It's not sore anymore. Feeding has become enjoyable again. :) Last night I did a dream feed with DS at 230am to keep things going. He took both sides in his sleep and he was so snuggly and cute it was nice. I put him back down straight after and he never even woke. I've done a dream feed with DS so that was a new experience.
It has also taken the pressure off me trying to cram all the feeds into the day and I've enjoyed that more. The cluster was only working on and off just before this happened (perhaps it was telling me something). My little DS seems to take big feeds and after his big one first thing in the morning it is another 4 hours 15min until I can even offer a 2nd feed. Doing the expressing in between and not worrying when the next feed is has made DS actually feed better. I know the advice is to feed more frequent but I find that he doen't empty me then. By following his cues and feeding when he's hungry has helped but I know the expressing in between has been key.
Thanks again for the support.
J
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I also will use a heating pad on the affected area when I would nap in bed. The first mastitis...it took 3 full days for hte red streak to start resolving!
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Yey, Glad to hear things are resolving themselves. Well done.
Claire
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I am so happy to hear that you have started finding relief!
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So happy things are better!
Maybe if you want to try to add a DF, it might help your nights be better sleeping for DS overall. We added the df about 5 months or so - I would just feed him before I went to bed so somewhere between 9-10:00 range. And it helped him drop that 1-2ish feed. It was nice since I was still up anyway, it wasn't disrupting my sleep. Just a thought for the next couple weeks!
I am so glad you are feeling better and nursing is enjoyable again!
BTW - I noticed your Lottie and Caeden have the same birthday, a year apart!
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How funny is that :) I bumped into a mum on the boards the other week and her name was Lottie and she had a little boy also called Max!
The DF is an interesting one. I am certainly thinking about it. Perhaps it would work until his intake of solids is up (we haven't started yet). I am not convinced he is totatlly ready for solids although he did seem hungrier. I am pretty sure if I did a dream feed around 1030 he would go through until 730ish and I could then do the 4 hour feeding from there and there just be the 4 feeds + the df. I am still now sure when to start him on the solids.
J
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On the solids - you can wait till you are ready! They say anytime after 6 months is fine, but I have talked to a number of moms that waited to 7-8 months before doing anything and others with LO's that really didn't take anything much till past 9-10 months even though they were offering it. It is really is up to you - I posted on this link some advantages of waiting on solids on another topic - Here's is a copy of the post!
Maeve - hope things continue to work out - sounds like your little guy is a great size, don't think there is anything to be concerned about there! We have been in the 5-10% on the charts for awhile. Here is some info I found on introducing solids, there are some concerns about doing before 6 months, but you know your baby best!
From LaLeche League's website - http://www.lalecheleague.com
When should my baby start solids?
Human milk is the only food that healthy, full-term babies need for about the first six months of life. The composition of human milk varies according to the time of day and the age of the baby, so that each mother provides the milk that meets her own baby's unique needs. Human milk provides immunity factors for as long as the baby nurses, and many of the health benefits of breastfeeding continue well into childhood and beyond.
Most solid foods are lower in calories than human milk, of lower nutritional value, and can be difficult for young babies to digest. Introduced early, they can cause unpleasant reactions and even trigger allergies. These problems can be avoided by waiting until your baby is ready for solids. Some parents have found introducing solids before baby is ready to be a waste of time, energy and money.
Your baby is starting to get ready for solids when:
* he is about four months old
* he becomes more sociable, playing and holding "conversations" with you during a nursing session
* he has a growth spurt and nurses more frequently for a while
* he imitates the chewing motions you make whilst eating -- he is practicing!
You will know that he is really ready to start solids when:
* he is about six months old
* he can sit up without any support
* he continues to be hungry despite more frequent nursing which is unrelated to illness or teething
* he has lost the tongue-thrusting reflex and does not push solids out of his mouth
* he can pick up things with his finger and thumb (pincer grasp)
Babies who are ready for solids can usually feed themselves. Mothers often report that they knew their babies were ready when they picked up food from a plate, chewed it, swallowed it, and wanted more.
Listen to your baby! Babies with a tendency to allergies may refuse solids until later in their first year. As long as they are growing well and are happy and healthy, there is no need for concern.
From the kellymom website - http://www.kellymom.com
Why Delay Solids?
Health experts and breastfeeding experts agree that it's best to wait until your baby is around six months old before offering solid foods. There has been a large amount of research on this in the recent past, and most health organizations have updated their recommendations to agree with current research. Unfortunately, many health care providers are not up to date in what they're telling parents, and many, many books are not up to date.
The following organizations recommend that all babies be exclusively breastfed (no cereal, juice or any other foods) for the first 6 months of life (not the first 4-6 months):
* World Health Organization
* UNICEF
* US Department of Health & Human Services
* American Academy of Pediatrics
* American Academy of Family Physicians
* American Dietetic Association
* Australian National Health and Medical Research Council
* Royal Australian College of General Practitioners
* Health Canada
Most babies will become developmentally and physiologically ready to eat solids by 6-9 months of age. For some babies, delaying solids longer than six months can be a good thing; for example, some doctors may recommend delaying solids for 12 months if there is a family history of allergies.
Reasons for delaying solids
Although some of the reasons listed here assume that your baby is breastfed or fed breastmilk only, experts recommend that solids be delayed for formula fed babies also.
* Delaying solids gives baby greater protection from illness.
Although babies continue to receive many immunities from breastmilk for as long as they nurse, the greatest immunity occurs while a baby is exclusively breastfed. Breastmilk contains 50+ known immune factors, and probably many more that are still unknown. One study has shown that babies who were exclusively breastfed for 4+ months had 40% fewer ear infections than breastfed babies whose diets were supplemented with other foods. The probability of respiratory illness occurring at any time during childhood is significantly reduced if the child is fed exclusively breast milk for at least 15 weeks and no solid foods are introduced during this time. (Wilson, 1998) Many other studies have also linked the degree of exclusivity of breastfeeding to enhanced health benefits (see Immune factors in human milk and Risks of Artificial Feeding).
* Delaying solids gives baby's digestive system time to mature.
If solids are started before a baby's system is ready to handle them, they are poorly digested and may cause unpleasant reactions (digestive upset, gas, constipation, etc.). Protein digestion is incomplete in infancy. Gastric acid and pepsin are secreted at birth and increase toward adult values over the following 3 to 4 months. The pancreatic enzyme amylase does not reach adequate levels for digestion of starches until around 6 months, and carbohydrate enzymes such as maltase, isomaltase, and sucrase do not reach adult levels until around 7 months. Young infants also have low levels of lipase and bile salts, so fat digestion does not reach adult levels until 6-9 months.
* Delaying solids decreases the risk of food allergies.
It is well documented that prolonged exclusive breastfeeding results in a lower incidence of food allergies (see Allergy References and Risks of Artificial Feeding). From birth until somewhere between four and six months of age, babies possess what is often referred to as an "open gut." This means that the spaces between the cells of the small intestines will readily allow intact macromolecules, including whole proteins and pathogens, to pass directly into the bloodstream.This is great for your breastfed baby as it allows beneficial antibodies in breastmilk to pass more directly into baby's bloodstream, but it also means that large proteins from other foods (which may predispose baby to allergies) and disease-causing pathogens can pass right through, too. During baby's first 4-6 months, while the gut is still "open," antibodies (sIgA) from breastmilk coat baby's digestive tract and provide passive immunity, reducing the likelihood of illness and allergic reactions before gut closure occurs. Baby starts producing these antibodies on his own at around 6 months, and gut closure should have occurred by this time also. See How Breast Milk Protects Newborns and The Case for the Virgin Gut for more on this subject.
* Delaying solids helps to protect baby from iron-deficiency anemia.
The introduction of iron supplements and iron-fortified foods, particularly during the first six months, reduces the efficiency of baby's iron absorption. Healthy, full-term infants who are breastfed exclusively for periods of 6-9 months have been shown to maintain normal hemoglobin values and normal iron stores. In one study (Pisacane, 1995), the researchers concluded that babies who were exclusively breastfed for 7 months (and were not give iron supplements or iron-fortified cereals) had significantly higher hemoglobin levels at one year than breastfed babies who received solid foods earlier than seven months. The researchers found no cases of anemia within the first year in babies breastfed exclusively for seven months and concluded that breastfeeding exclusively for seven months reduces the risk of anemia. See Is Iron-Supplementation Necessary? for more information.
* Delaying solids helps to protect baby from future obesity.
The early introduction of solids is associated with increased body fat and weight in childhood. (for example, see Wilson 1998, von Kries 1999, Kalies 2005)
* Delaying solids helps mom to maintain her milk supply.
Studies have shown that for a young baby solids replace milk in a baby's diet - they do not add to baby's total intake. The more solids that baby eats, the less milk he takes from mom, and less milk taken from mom means less milk production. Babies who eat lots of solids or who start solids early tend to wean prematurely.
* Delaying solids helps to space babies.
Breastfeeding is most effective in preventing pregnancy when your baby is exclusively breastfed and all of his nutritional and sucking needs are satisfied at the breast.
* Delaying solids makes starting solids easier.
Babies who start solids later can feed themselves and are not as likely to have allergic reactions to foods.
Hope that helps!
You are doing a great job - keep up the good work!
Smiley Smiley Smiley Smiley Smiley