Mastitis and BF

[d1sneyf4n]

Has anyone had this happen them while BF? I am thinking this is what is going on with me. 5:45 can not come fast enough, that is my appointment time.
I have had a cold since Sunday, head cold. Yesterday I had a lot of work to get done for work(I work from home). It is easier for me to feed my daughter on my left side and type so that is what I did for most of the day. Well come 3:30ish my right b**b was sore on the outer side. By 8:30 I had a fever, chills, I was nausea and just felt like p**p. Took some motrin and it helped me sleep. Woke up this morning to start it all over again. If I have motrin I am pretty good for about 4 hours. I feel like horrible, almost like it is the flu.
Anyone with any experience with this?

 

[sahmoffour]

I've had it, and sounds like you might have it as well. A couple tips that helped me:

No matter how sore it is, you have to make sure you're draining the side that hurts! One way to help unplug the duct is to massage while nursing or pumping from the sore side. Another way, is to angle your baby so that her chin is pointing towards the spot that is sore. Sometimes depending on their mouth positioning they are not draining certain ducts/parts of your breast while will cause the mastitis. Also, put heat on the sore/plugged area before nursing, this will help open up the duct.

I ended up on antibiotics, but doing the above which were all recommended by my doctor definitely helped speed along the healing!

 

[d1sneyf4n]

I've had it, and sounds like you might have it as well. A couple tips that helped me:

No matter how sore it is, you have to make sure you're draining the side that hurts! One way to help unplug the duct is to massage while nursing or pumping from the sore side. Another way, is to angle your baby so that her chin is pointing towards the spot that is sore. Sometimes depending on their mouth positioning they are not draining certain ducts/parts of your breast while will cause the mastitis. Also, put heat on the sore/plugged area before nursing, this will help open up the duct.

I ended up on antibiotics, but doing the above which were all recommended by my doctor definitely helped speed along the healing!

Thanks for the tips. Not sure about the whole chin thing. I am so use to the cradle. I think that is what it is called.

 

[NotUrsula]

This is going to sound weird, but put cabbage leaves in your bra. I have no idea how it works, but it does, I swear.

Buy a cabbage, wash and separate the leaves and chill them. Line your bra with a chilled whole leaf; it will help reduce the inflammation. Change them out every hour or two until you start feeling better. Also, make sure that your bra is fairly loose; one that is too tight will make it worse.

 

[of2dbeach]

i heard of the cabbage leaf too. I used to stand in the shoer and try exspess my milk. hurt like hell. they also call it milk fever. when my last DD was 10 days old she got Rota Virus and we were in the hosp for 4 days. I was soo sick because the stupid nurse wouldnt let me nurse. Then I saw the doc on day 2. I said pls let me nurs her. he said they wont let you nurse and bust out of the room yelling for the head nurse. I was to nurse IMMEDIATLY and to pump as often as I could ( they gave me a double pump) they saved the milk for me to take home. he said this is what saved her life , my breast milk!! So amazing to me but wow was I a sick girl!! it hurts but pump or nurse as much as you can. if your nipples are cracked rub some milk on them let them air dry try not to use a bra or wear a nursing bra for support but leave the flaps open. I hope you feel better quickly . i know its not fun , but you will get thru it .

 

[3princes+1princess]

I used to get it often with my first child. What everyone else said is great advice. I also recommend massaging your breast toward the nipple everyday in a hot shower as a prevention too. It doesn't have to be a hard massage. Once I started doing this I did not have any more infections. I broke up the clogged duct before it could be infected.

I honestly feel having mastisis is one of the worst feelings in the world.....I felt worse with this then giving birth!! I hope you feel better soon!!

 

[treehugnmama]

Cabbage works treat as does hot face clothes but cabbage is better

 

[naomi78155]

I swear cabbage leaves work wonders. I put cold ones in my bra and changed them out when they get limp or soggy. Also, drink a lot of water. Hot shower helped a lot, let the hot hot water run down the sore side. Nurse the baby as often as you can.
Hope you feel better soon. Mastitis can be horrible.

 

[Sandi S]

I spent 7 years (total) nursing and ended up with mastitis quite a few times - like the flu with a sore **** - miserable!

WHen you get a plugged duct, massage from above the plug toward the nipple. Doing it in the shower is good, too. I also recommend a heating pad on the affected breast. The weirdest thing about plugs is that there were a few I pumped out that came out like strings - and I felt so much better once they were out!

I hope you get some antibiotics and get over this soon. Taking the baby into bed to have a nursing fest is a great way to go.

 

[d1sneyf4n]

Thanks all for the replies. I really appreciate it. Still feel like cr** but I am now on Antibiotics for 14 days. I have to go back on Mon to make sure I am starting to feel better. This really stinks. I am going to get some cabbage leaves tomorrow and give that a whirl too. Can't wait for my DS5 to ask why I have cabbage leaves in my shirt.

 

[d1sneyf4n]

I spent 7 years (total) nursing and ended up with mastitis quite a few times - like the flu with a sore **** - miserable!

WHen you get a plugged duct, massage from above the plug toward the nipple. Doing it in the shower is good, too. I also recommend a heating pad on the affected breast. The weirdest thing about plugs is that there were a few I pumped out that came out like strings - and I felt so much better once they were out!

I hope you get some antibiotics and get over this soon. Taking the baby into bed to have a nursing fest is a great way to go.

Yes it is miserable!! I just want it to be over.

 

[Celidh]

Also, try having your baby nurse in a different position than normal. I noticed that you said you prefer a certain position. It may be that there are some ducts that aren't being emptied properly in that position but if you have your baby nurse in a different position (I know, it's not as easy or comfy but is better than the alternative, which you have now.) those ducts may drain better.

Hope you're feeling better soon, I know from experience, it's no fun at all.

 

[Mom2m&k]

When I had it I got some great advice about moist heat. The doc even agreed that that would help relieve it even more then the antibiotics. A diaper filled with hot water works great...it holds the warmth longer then a towel. Feel better...it sucks!

 

[baloo's girl]

Don't laugh, but I swear this works for plugged ducts....get down on all fours, and let your breast dangle and nurse your baby. Gravity works!

Be careful with the cabbage leaves though, as this is a trick that is recommended too for drying up your milk supply.

 

[ashleym337]

Don't laugh, but I swear this works for plugged ducts....get down on all fours, and let your breast dangle and nurse your baby. Gravity works!


Be careful with the cabbage leaves though, as this is a trick that is recommended too for drying up your milk supply.

I agree.... cabbage leaves DRY UP your milk... this is what i used to dry my milk up in 2 days with my first baby. That would be a last ditch effort type thing. Also, when I had it, I was told to take 600 mg of motrin every 6 hours to help with the swelling. and use hot presses or a hot shower along with massage. There is nothing worse then feeling so sick, but hopefully all of these things will help out! but again, I would NOT use the leaves...

 

[nilseks]

Glad you acted quickly. It's nothing to mess with. I had mastitis so bad, it turned into a blood infection. Horrible horrible. I'm assuming they gave you antibiotics you can nurse on, so nurse as much as you can and then when baby is done, pump immediately afterward to try and get out EVERYTHING. It helps. Feel better soon!

 

[d1sneyf4n]

Glad you acted quickly. It's nothing to mess with. I had mastitis so bad, it turned into a blood infection. Horrible horrible. I'm assuming they gave you antibiotics you can nurse on, so nurse as much as you can and then when baby is done, pump immediately afterward to try and get out EVERYTHING. It helps. Feel better soon!

Geezz, how did you know it turned into a blood infection? They did give me antibiotics that I can nurse with.

 

[dzorn]

Thanks for the tips. Not sure about the whole chin thing. I am so use to the cradle. I think that is what it is called.

Try a football hold. While sitting put the baby along side you feet going under your arm pit, not across your lap. You can also put a nursing pillow or regular pillow to help elevate baby to make the hold more comfortable.

You could also lay down on your side and have the baby lay next to you.

I hope you get some relief.

Denise in MI

 

[ericalynn1979]

Seriously one of the worst times of my life. I had mastitis that took four weeks and three different antibiotics until I was feeling better again. I think everyone just about covered it, but I hope you are feeling better soon!

 

[d1sneyf4n]

Seriously one of the worst times of my life. I had mastitis that took four weeks and three different antibiotics until I was feeling better again. I think everyone just about covered it, but I hope you are feeling better soon!

It has only been a few days but I am not enjoying myself that is for sure. I hope the 2 weeks of this antibiotic that I have to take 4 times a day will do the trick.