What is mastitis

Mastitis is an infection that can occur when bacteria enter the breast while breastfeeding. Nipples may become cracked or sore from breast-feeding. This can happen if your baby isn’t well-positioned when feeding or latches on to the nipple instead of putting his or her lips and gums around the area surrounding the nipple (areola). Sometimes, bacteria can enter the breast without any signs of nipple problems.

Mastitis can affect one or both breasts. When a breast becomes infected, you‘ll develop a fever and feel sick, like you have the flu. The breast may feel sore, hard and hot. It may swell and redden. Typically, the diagnosis is based on personal history and a physical examination with no further testing required. An ultrasound may be performed if your doctor suspects a breast abscess.

signs of mastitis

Mastitis is most common in the early weeks of breastfeeding, though it can happen at any point in your breastfeeding experience. It can also occur, but rarely does so, when you are not breastfeeding.

Signs that you have mastitis include:

Pain in your breast

A breast that is warm to the touch

Swelling in one or both breasts

Feeling like you have the flu

Fever of 101°F (38°C) or higher

Redness on part or all of the breast

Mastitis occurs when bacteria get inside your breast, either from a crack in the skin or through your nipple. The bacteria can come from anywhere, and can even include the bacteria that normally are on your skin.

While it is more common to see mastitis when there is broken skin (as in cracked nipples), it is possible to contract mastitis without broken skin. You might also find you are more likely to have a breast infection if you have a tight-fitting bra due to a restriction in milk flow. This restriction can also occur when your breasts are not properly emptied, which can be due to poor positioning of your baby or not changing positions when breastfeeding. Once you have had a bout of mastitis, you are more likely to experience it again.

How to treat mastitis

Antibiotics are generally prescribed for mastitis. Because mastitis can be painful, you may be tempted to stop breast-feeding. It’s best to keep breast-feeding or breast pumping because doing so will help empty your breast and relieve pressure. The infection won’t spread to the milk your baby consumes, and the antibiotics you take won’t harm your baby, although you may notice a change in the color of your baby’s bowel movements.

Applying warm compresses to the infected breast several times a day can help. Acetaminophen or ibuprofen may be used to relieve fever and pain. Dry your breasts between feedings and compresses so that they can heal properly.

If you notice signs and symptoms of mastitis, seek medical care promptly. Receiving delayed or inadequate

treatment for mastitis might be one of the reasons it is more likely to persist and/or reoccur.Get treatment as soon as possible to feel better.

Dealing with an issue such as mastitis is one of the areas where medical communication frequently breaks down for nursing mothers. Some obstetricians see all breastfeeding issues, even those that pertain to the mother, as things for which the baby’s doctor should give care. If the mother is not a patient of the baby’s doctor, it might be unlikely that

the doctor will also care for her. Such instances are the perfect time for your lactation professional to step in and provide your breastfeeding-related care, but most lactation consultants do not have prescription privileges. If you are getting the runaround with your medical care, go to your primary care/ family doctor for advice, even if you have to walk in. Anyone can provide you with this type of basic care for an infection.

A ten- to fourteen-day regimen of oral antibiotics is the main treatment for mastitis. You might also want to ask about care for yeast infections if you are prone to them when taking antibiotics. Also incorporate acidophilus into your diet, either in supplement form or in foods. Yogurts with live active cultures are also helpful to add to your diet during your course of antibiotics.

Call your prescribing physician within fortyeight hours if you are not feeling better. It might be a sign that the antibiotics are not helping you. Your doctor will have more advice if this becomes necessary, including, perhaps, a change in medication. The antibiotics frequently prescribed for mastitis are safe to take while breastfeeding.

In addition to the medical care you will receive, there are home-care treatments that will help you. Whenever you are sick, even if it is not mastitis, you will want to remember to head to bed with your baby. Try the forty-eight-hour cure. Do nothing but things that you can do from your bed. This means quiet nursing time; breakfast in bed; perhaps reading a bit. Simply spend time taking care of your body, your mind, and your spirit.

Your antibiotics will usually kick in within a day or two. Until then, you can treat the fever with medication such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. This will help reduce your fever, which will make your infection less painful. You can also use warm compresses on your breast if that feels good, and massage the affected area. You should also nurse, nurse, nurse. This can help you to feel much better. If for some reason you can’t nurse or do not want to nurse, a breast pump can be very helpful. This helps to keep you comfortable and protects your milk supply.(see WHEN TO START PUMPING BREAST MILK)

How to prevent mastitis

The way to prevent mastitis is to be sure you are draining the breast milk from both breasts at every feeding. If you start to feel your breasts getting full, consider offering your baby a nursing session. Also avoid bras that are too tight or have underwire, as they can compress the milk flow as well.

When breast milk lingers, it can become thicker and harder to pass through the breast. This is when plugged ducts can creep up on you. Nursing frequently and with varied positions can drastically reduce the risks of mastitis and plugged ducts.