Mastitis

[janjo]

After some initial problems with pain when bf for the first 4 weeks, DS and I had been doing so much better and I was really enjoying feeding.  However, I joined this site as I was getting frustrated with DS only sleeping for 1.5 hours some nights between feeds and commenced an EASY routine.  And it was just that, easy :-). He adapted straight away to having awake time after a feed and has been settling himself off to sleep no problem.  Trouble is he starting going from between 1.5-2 hours between feeds to 3-3.5 hours between feeds literally within 24 hours, and now I've developed mastitis :-(. I have a high temp, hot and cold flushes, am dizzy, and just feeling downright rubbish!  I've fed and fed and fed DS this evening, been offering every 1.5-2 hours which he hasn't refused, but I'm worried this is just gonna build my supply back up and we'll be back to square one again when he starts going longer between feeds!

Do you think it would be reasonable to wake him for feeds every 1.5-2 hours during the day and gradually go longer between feeds at small intervals, rather than let him set the pace?  Really stuck as to what to do!  DS is 9 weeks by the way.  Thanks in advance for your advice :-)

[ZacsMumme]

Mastitis is awful (HUGS) IMO I think you are doing the right thing but I wouldn't wake him for feeds, just get him to feed off that beast first when he wakes. Or you can express as well if you feel you need too. My midwife and Dr both recommended feeding off the infected breast first and expressing when I got mastitis (2ce)

I found massaging the breast downwards in the shower and expressing off a little of the milk helped ease the pain. I also took panadol (pain relief).

Are you on antibiotics?

[janjo]

Thanks!  Yes, I am on Flucloxicillin, started the course last night.  He's really not happy on the affected side, and hasn't been for some time come to think of it.  He really fidgets and pulls the nipple around loads.  Maybe getting frustrated with slow let-down if I got a plugged duct?  I feel so rough.  I'm never ill, and I'm afraid to say I don't make a very good patient!  Poor DH and DD1 having to put up with me :-(

[Shiv52]

HUGS.  Mastitis is awful.  I have never ever

The good news is I felt so much better after 24 hours on the ABs.  Massaging the breast in a hot shower especially if you can feel where the plugged duct is really helped here and just continually massaging it.  Can you feel where the lump is? 

Take plenty of pain relief and sleep when you can. 

Do you think it would be reasonable to wake him for feeds every 1.5-2 hours during the day and gradually go longer between feeds at small intervals, rather than let him set the pace

This is what I would do.  Feed at the shorter intervals then when you are better start moving toward your 3 hour EASY again.  Maybe add 15 minutes every couple of days so it doesn't take too long to get back where you you want to be but enough time for your supply to adjust and settle? 

{{{{hugs}}}

[Erin M]

(((hugs)))
Warm compresses on the affected breast really help too.  Mastitis is not fun!  Feel better soon!

[janjo]

Thanks everyone!  Well, that was the worst 24 hours of my life, but I think I'm finally coming back to the land of the living now :-). I hope I never get it again!

[Shiv52]

{{{hugs]}}

It is awful isn't it.  I remember thinking i was on the way out!  Thankfully those ABs do kick in quickly x

[janjo]

Thanks again everyone!  My breasts are feeling more uncomfy now though, and I can still feel a lump in both the breasts even though I'm feeding DS every 2-3 hours (he isn't often interested at 2 hours).  I expressed 1.5oz off each breast this pm and am wondering how often I should be expressing, and for how long I'll have to do it?  And can I keep the milk if it's got traces of anti-biotic in it?  I know it's early days, but it's too uncomfy to give DD and DS proper cuddles and I miss them :-(

[Shiv52]

I don't think flucloxicillin passes into BM.  My MW told me it is a newer one they prescribe for that reason.  But I can't be sure that is right. 

I would only pump enough to make you comfy and not too much more than that.   I would keep massaging the lumps in a hot shower and use compresses.  I think it took about 3 days for my breast to return to normal and not be huge and rock hard x

[hannahp]

I'd also recommend ibuprofen a little, as it's an anti-inflammatory; mastitis is an infection in the tissue and so it swells and makes the milk flow more difficult so an anti-inflam is really helpful - this is worth remembering for any future probs, take is if you feel like it might be about to start and it's always helped me avoid it becoming full blown. My doc and midwife said that it's ok to take whilst bf.

[Shiv52]

Yes my MW said to take ibuprofen too and she gave me really strong co-codamol for night to help me sleep.