mastisis ?? tips from those who have been through it

[engineer_mom]

I'm 90% sure I have a plugged duct or something. The side of my breast is sore and pink (and becoming more engorged). All day I've felt achy and tired, but I was worried it was Lyme not a breastfeeding issue. Finally around 1pm it clicked that I probably have a plugged duct or infection since the babe waited 6 hours to feed two nights in a row.

I woke up at 3am last night so engorged and hurting. And the babe just munched. And he got mad I'm assuming from it spraying too hard. Finally after an hour he went back to sleep. I didnt' want to pump but ended up doing a bit on one side (not the side that hurts now).

I've been using a rice sock, plan to take a shower, and trying to get him to eat more (but that's not working very well, he's really sleepy today which normally I'd be thrilled about).

Any more tips?

[LittleLegos]

Heat and massage are great when trying to get the milk out and relieve the plugged ducts. You can also try cold compresses in between feedings/expressing.

Massaging towards the nipple...it will be sore, but helps a lot. I've found that even after the plugs are resolved, sometimes the area still felt bruised.

Take good care of yourself and rest and nurse.

Amy

[Plummeting]

If it's pink and you're having systemic symptoms, then it's probably mastitis. You want to nurse with his chin pointed towards the inflamed area, massage it in the shower and you can alternate hot packs with cabbage leaves over that area. I just had it and I'll be honest saying that none of that alone did the job for me...or at least it didn't seem that way. My midwife gave me poke root tincture and had me take echinacea. The tincture was just one drop twice a day. Echinacea was just to triple the normal daily dose and divide it up into hourly (or as close as possible) doses during the day. I also took extra vitamin c. It still took a few days to start feeling better, but it did happen. I was really sick from it, though. You may not be so sick yet. I hope you get well soon and I hope if you aren't that sick, you don't get that sick!

[MacKinnon]

DDC Crashing- I've sooo been there How miserable! It sounds like it might still be a plugged duct. Mastitis hits, at least me, hard and fast like the flu with a fever and shakes. I would pump if he's not nursing enough to drain the breast, use heat with caution because it can increase supply, but right before pumping/nursing is great. Massage the lump/sore spot when nursing/pumping too. Expressing in the shower can help as well. Avoid wearing the same bra, or tight tank, something that might be pressing on that duct (for me, it's often the outside and irritated by an underwire). Lecithin helps me a ton too! I discovered that on recommendation from a lactation consultant friend when I was struggling with massive oversupply and plugged ducts after DS's birth. It helps me ward off mastitis when the ducts get plugged. Best luck for a quick recovery!!

[treegardner]

I've had Mastitis and it's awful. Like a PP said, it hit me hard like the flu too. One day I thought I had a clogged duct and the next day I felt like a bus had hit me. I had a fever, my whole body hurt, I felt horrible. I couldn't get out of bed at all. I nursed as often as possible and rested as much as possible. Good luck! I hope you get this resolved before it turns into mastitis.

[catchthewind]

This is x-posted from another thread but I'm nak, have a toddler climbing on my other side, and trying to do dinner too.

I got them several times with DD1. I have oversupply and OAL issues, and block feed, but if I'm not careful it's very easy to become over-engorged. I woke up this morning with a bit of pain in one breast. By early afternoon I was feeling shivery and tingly and the pain was agony. I had a hot bath, making sure to soak my breast under water, with massage around the red, bumpy area. Today luckily the plug came out pretty easily and I nursed both DDs when I was out and then had a nap. I'm still not feeling 100% but much better. Last time I found similar things helped: heat, massage, nursing or pumping if you can stand it. Last time, a sock filled with rice and heated in the microwave and then used to sort of roll along my breast where the plug was helped a few times too. My breast is normally sore for a day or two afterwards still. Anyway, hope you feel better soon, it is not fun.

[VegMomma]

nak

I had mastitis twice with Ds1. My naturopath recommended the following:

- hot compresses
- rosemary tea
- raw garlic (chopped into pill-sized pieces and swallowed whole)
- vit. C
- rest as much as you possibly can
- nurse on the affected side more frequently

Mastitis SUCKS. I hope you're feeling well again soon!

[at_the_hip]

DDDC, but have had chronic issues with mastitis/plugged ducts with all of my kids...

One thing that I didn't see suggested here was homeopathic Phytolacca - a good mid-range potency is 30c. I would take a dose of that and even if it had progressed to mastitis at that point, I was usually able to avoid antibiotics (I have only had to take it once for dozens of times I have actually dealt with it).

For future prevention if you are prone to clogged ducts, taking a TBSP of lecithin granules (in your cereal or yogurt for example) daily. It really helps to emulsify the fat and prevent clogging in the ducts.

Lie low and nurse as much as possible. Normally your other breast will slow milk production almost completely (esp. with mastitis) so you can really focus on your sore breast without worry of the other. I would pump to take some of the engorgement off so that hopefully your little guy isn't overwhelmed and will nurse much longer.

kind regards (and feel better soon!!!)

[engineer_mom]

You gals are all so great!
Thank you so much!

Not much achiness today and no fever although my breast is still pink. So hopefully it will go away!