Breastfeeding Help: Mastitis

Mastitis is a common ailment affecting many breastfeeding mothers. Unfortunately, the onset of mastitis can sometimes be discouraging, causing a mother to abandon breastfeeding. But mastitis is not necessarily a sign that anything is wrong with the breastfeeding relationship, and it does not have to mean the end of nursing. While painful, mastitis can often be treated at home without medical intervention.

What is mastitis?

Mastitis is an infection of the breast. It is most often caused by prolonged engorgement or a plugged milk duct that has been left untreated. It is not usually serious. However, mastitis can cause a breast abscess if left untreated. Prompt treatment almost always prevents mastitis from progressing into an abscess.

Symptoms of mastitis include:

-- High fever (over 101.3º).

-- Breast tenderness and pain. This can be localized, or general pain throughout the entire breast.

-- Redness, swelling, or warmth in the affected area. Many women with mastitis notice red streaks on their breasts running from the infected area outward toward the nipple.

-- General achiness, tiredness, or flu-like symptoms.

Get plenty of rest

As with any infection, mastitis will heal more quickly if your body is well-rested. Stay in bed as much as possible, keeping baby with you to nurse on demand. Now is not the time to rearrange your furniture - take it easy.

Gentle massage

Massaging the affected area can stimulate blood flow and speed healing. Massage the area outward from the chest wall toward the nipple. Do not use excessive pressure, as this can bruise breast tissue and make inflammation worse.

Alternate warm and cold compresses on the area

Cold compresses will soothe the inflammation of mastitis, while warm compresses will stimulate blood flow to the area and speed healing. Moist heat will be more effective in relieving mastitis than a dry heating pad. Try a warm towel or a warm shower. For a cold compress, try a bag of frozen vegetables or crushed ice. Be sure to wrap the compress in a dry towel to protect your skin.

Nurse frequently on the affected side

Now is absolutely not the time to wean, or to cut back on nursing. The affected breast needs to be drained well and often in order to heal. The infection will not pass to your baby, so there is no need to "pump and dump" - just nurse.

Stay well-hydrated

Water is important for everyone, and especially so for nursing moms. If you have mastitis, try to drink at least three quarts of water per day to help flush out the infection. After you recover, shoot for at least two quarts of water per day to keep your body hydrated and possibly prevent a recurrence of mastitis.

Take a gentle pain reliever

Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen can be very effective in relieving the pain and fever that comes with mastitis, and is generally considered safe for nursing mothers.

Sleep without a bra

Pressure will only add to the discomfort of mastitis, and may actually make symptoms worse. If you must wear a bra, make sure that it is not too tight. Additionally, avoid sleeping on your stomach - the added pressure will contribute to plugged milk ducts and prolong mastitis symptoms.

Talk to your doctor

Many cases of mastitis can be treated at home without the use of antibiotics. But some women experience severe or recurrent mastitis. These cases may require antibiotics to properly heal. If you have a rising fever, feel progressively more ill as the hours wear on, have cracked nipples, or if you have a history of recurrent mastitis, see your doctor right away and ask if you would benefit from an antibiotic.

**This is one of a series of articles about common breastfeeding problems. To see the rest of the series and other articles by this writer, please click on the picture of the baby's bottom, at the top of the article beside the author's name. **