Mastitis - What is it and how do I get rid of it?

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Mastitis – Ouch! This Can’t Be Normal

One problem that can affect a nursing mother is nursing with the condition called mastitis. Breast-feeding can be the most important thing a mom can do for her new baby. It is a special time for bonding as well as nourishing your little one. However, sometimes we run into problems that hopefully few of us experience.

What Is It?

Mastitis is an infection in the breast that can occur within the first six weeks after giving birth. It usually affects one breast and is very painful. You will first notice a burning sensation while nursing accompanied by fever, redness, swelling, and tenderness. In general, you just feel plain yucky.

Can I Keep Nursing?

Yes, you can and should keep nursing your baby. Breast complications can discourage even the best of us, but do not give up nursing. According to MayoClinic.com, you can continue to breast-feed. Nursing will not only keep your milk supply up, it will help get rid of the infection.

How Did I Get This?

Mastitis is one of those conditions you have never really heard of until it you face it. One day you are feeding your baby just fine, and then the next day you are cringing in pain.

It can occur several ways:

• Bacteria managed to get into your breast through a crack or milk duct from you or your baby’s mouth

• Wearing a tight or ill-fitting bra

• Breast-feeding in one position and not fully emptying the breast

Consult your doctor as soon as possible because it can turn into a major infection. This infection can cause a few other unpleasant problems such as milk stasis. Milk stasis is a leakage of milk into the surrounding breast tissue caused by insufficient nursing. If you cannot nurse your baby, use a breast pump.

Both mastitis and milk stasis can lead up to an abscess, a localized infection. Your doctor will drain this by surgical means. Therefore, it is extremely important to see your doctor at the first signs of mastitis.

Treatment

Besides nursing, there are other ways to treat a breast infection. Your doctor will prescribe an antibiotic to you. The antibiotic will be for 12-14 days and it is vital to take the antibiotic in its entirety. Never stop your antibiotic because the infection seems cleared up. You may run the risk of it reoccurring.

Drinking plenty of fluids will also help in treating mastitis, prevent dehydration, and keep milk supply levels up.

Wear a supportive, comfortable nursing bra. Avoid engorgement and take a warm shower to help with letdown. Try hand expressing or pumping your breast to relieve milk that will not come out when nursing your baby.

If the pain is very bad, take a safe pain reliever. Tylenol and Motrin are safe.

Prevention

Preventing a breast infection begins with nursing your baby. Make sure that your first breast is empty before latching the baby onto the second. If your baby does not completely empty the second, offer that breast first in the next feeding or use a breast pump.

Keep On Nursing

Remember, nursing is the best way to feed your baby and keep your breast healthy. Talk to someone if you experience problems. There is always someone who can help you.

For more reference information follow the link below.

MayoClinic.com, (2008) Article retrieved January 25, 2010 from Mayo Clinic- Mast...