Anyone had mastitis??

[1588]

Went to the doctors this morning and was diagnosed with mastitis........ feel rotten as was just getting to grips with the BF

Anyway the Dr said to express off the infected breast and throw the milk away until the redness disappears. The thing is I can't express much off it, I've tried 3 times today and only got about 1 oz.

I'm worried that It'll get engorged as it's really big now.

Should I be trying to get more out??

Any other advice desperately accepted too.

 

[keli]

Let your LO feed off that boob, there is no need to express and throw the milk away your doc's talking a load of rubbish! lol. The more LO feeds off the infected boob the quicker the infection will go.

 

[keli]

Infact if you don't get that boob drained then it can lead to abcesses and everything... 0300 330 0771 this is the number of the NCT breastfeeding helpline (thanks Kelseys signiture!).. i'd give them a call and see what they say..or google mastitus. Hope it gets better soon xxx

 

[aramintalovegrove]

Yep get Lo to do all the hard work, I got it at 2 weeks and felt awful so so poorley and my boob killed I sat in bed all day and gave esme an eat all you can buffet of boob, as the boob drained the pain got less and you can use paracetamol which helped me with the flu like symptoms.

Also move LO around deppending on where you have a blockage and tender parts, Esme was in all sorts of positions to get the milk shifted but enjoyed every minute!!

The express and throw away thinking is old now, we are back to letting nature do its thing, I always think what would the cave women have done and it works for me

 

[charlie84]

I have had mastitis and it took two doses of antibiotics to get rid.

Like the other girls have said get baby to feed off the bad boob as much as possible.
Massage gently when she is feeding.
Ibuprofen is good to relieve the inflamation hun.

If it doesnt seem to improve get back to the docs, and maybe see a different doctor.

Hope it feels better soon

 

[Squiglet]

stupid doctor.... mine said the same...

Feed from the infected side... your baby is far more effective at draining a boob than any pump... Change doctors too, because take it from me, having a doctor (as I do) who is wholly ignorant in terms of breastfeeding, will only cause you more problems in the future.

The worse thing that will happen if you let LO feed from your infected side, is that they might throw up a cottage cheese like substance. I've had mastitis 3 times and this has NEVER happened to me, so its not always so..

Take care of yourself too... drink loads of water, warm compresses or hot showers directed at your boobs also helps...

 

[1588]

THanks guys, I did get her to feed from it to relieve the pressure and it did seem to help

 

[sparky]

just wanted to add, the girls give better advice than your GP, i went twice with mastitus to my gp and following his advice ended up having a massive abcess and surgery