mastitis: what do do with milk

[jnet24]

My sister has low supply issues. I think , I am going to the doctor tomorrow, I have mastitis. I have been pumping to help relieve some tenderness. Can I save the milk and give it to SIL for niece, or will it make her sick. What if it is thrush not mastitis? Then what do I do with the BM??

[iowaorganic]

I have always either fed the milk or frozen it for later when I have had mastitis. No idea about thrush. Have you tried natural remedies for the mastitis? I have had it numerous times with my children- and the best remedy that I have found is also the easiest. Rosehip tea, garlic, echineachea, hot compresses, cabbage leaves on the red spots, bed and nurse nurse nurse.

I in no way want to discourage you from giving your sister milk- but there are other cures besides antibiotics.

[Sk8ermaiden]

As a low-supply mama, I would love that milk. From what I have know, mastitis does not transfer in that way, as the resources I have read encourage you to nurse very frequently to help the condition.

If it is thrush, I probably would not want it just because I gave my baby Thrush when I was EPing, so I am pretty sure the milk can carry it. It was a BEAST to get rid of.

[aet.tea]

As I understand it, mastitis does not affect your milk. Save it as you would normally save pumped milk or I think it would be fine to give to your sister.

RE: natural remedies, I found a combination of garlic, extra vitamin C (like 1000 mg every 2-4 hrs) and the homeopathic remedy bella donna worked well for me.

[jnet24]

thanks for all your advice. I will try the natural remedies to get rid of it. I was mainly concerned that I could pass the infection onto my niece, and I figured if i could do that than my DD already had it so it was no big deal if I kept nursing her. Just wanted to make sure milk would be okay to give sister.

[SomedayMom]

I don't know a thing about thrush, but mastitis? I had it over and over with my first son. There is no problem for the baby, the milk would not, could not make the baby sick. I got very good at getting rid of mastitis with mostly heat and massage as soon as I would notice the symptoms. I also started taking lecithin supplements. If it wasn't gone in 24-48 hours then I'd get the antibiotics. I think I only needed them twice though. The natural stuff really did work if I caught it early.