I can't stop crying, No idea what to do

[Tres]

I have a 9 day old baby. Breastfeeding was going well until day 7 when I developed a fever and body aches. By the next morning it was obvious I had mastitis. Perhaps because my nipples are cracked and have bled, who knows. Anyway, I went to a walk-in clinic and the doctor there was SO uninformed, told me to stop breastfeeding etc. I obviously didn't stop breastfeeding and I was prescribed antibiotics. I went for follow-up today (so 2 days after I got a fever and 24 hours after I noticed the redness) and a DIFFERENT doctor says I need to have my breast lanced.

I am so upset, I really don't want to go into the hospital and leave my baby (to be fed what?) and I am scared to bring her into the emergency room for fear she catches something. I am going to wait it out 24 more hours.

Please, I would love some support and encouragement or a miracle cure. I am pumping on that side, taking Vit. C and Garlic and using warm compresses (eventhough the doctor today said it wouldn't do anything to massage it)

If you got this far, thanks for reading. I am sitting here balling as I type this.

[LZP]

I'm not sure where you live, but there is probably a LLL chapter in your area. most have helplines that are staffed by volunteers during the day. Give a call. Do you have a primary care physician that you could call, (or even your baby's pediatrician) that is knowledgable about BFing? You really shouldnt let an infection go, so good that you have the atbx, but I'd still get in to see someone asap. perhaps the LLL hotline could direct you to some HCPs who are knowledgable about BFing and can get you well again, and won't suggest you stop BFing. that won't help!

start here:

it's the tool to find the LLL in your area. Good luck mama!!!

[pbjmama]

I agree, start calling around and get a second opinion. Call the local hospitals and speak to different LCs. Call LLL. If you do have an abscess that needs to be drained then it needs to be done, no messing around. Keep taking those meds and taking care of yourself. Do you have anyone to help you? For example, your mother could go with you to the hospital and keep your baby in the car or a different area and only bring you together to nurse every couple of hours?

I know it is hard, you are in pain and exhausted and scared. You can do it!
If you need help figuring out who to contact post back here where you are and we will help you!

[Artichokie]

have you called your midwife?

[ssh]

When I had mastitis, I was told to breastfeed every two hours even if I had to wake my DD, along with taking the antibiotic (Bactrim). Keeping the breast as empty as possible was part of getting rid of the mastitis. Has the pain and redness gotten better? What about the flulike symptoms? I would call my local LLL and midwife. I would also want another opinion before getting it lanced. Is there a sore, hard, hot, red area on one of your breast? Have you been using warm compresses to increase the flow if a duct is blocked? And then you can use cool compresses after nursing.

[lach]

I'm so sorry! I had mastitis and it was absolutely the worst I've ever felt in my life. I honestly thought I was going to die.

I was told to BF as often as possible, to make sure to get everything out. And to really knead my breasts as I did it. And to breastfeed in as many positions as possible: the doctor said that it's particularly effective to put the baby on the bed, get on all fours over it, and let the breast hang down into the baby's mouth. Let me tell you, that is one awkward way to BF... but anything to feel better! Find any book you have on BFing and go through all the positions illustrated: football, etc.

Also, hot compresses on the breast, hot showers with the water on the breast. And lots and lots of breast kneading. Can you feel where the duct is clogged?

Since timeliness is important here, what I would do is to get on your local Tribe's board here on MDC and ask for recs for a doctor, nurse, or LC who knows what on earth they're doing: because the ones you're seeing certainly don't.

[Spiralshell]

nak
I have no advice, but couldn't read this without sending some support. Hang in there!

[tinybutterfly]

I don't have any advice either, just a

[mum2row]

I just went through a similiar situation in April. If you do have an abscess please get it drained. the antibiotics may not clear the infection completely if there is an abscess. Take babe with you to the hospital, keep him in a sling if you can and close to you, nurse frequently, stay hydrated ( I had tons of nausea and vomiting when i first got sick). You getting sicker at home if this is not treated completely will not help babe. Can someone go with you to hold babe while they perform the drainage? She is not likely to catch something at the hospital if you keep her close to you.

I completely thought I would have to wean my babe at 6/7 months because of the mastitis (I was sick for a month, not a normal case of mastitis). It is hard but you can get through this and definately keep nursing if you want to.

[sarahdavida]

Please hang in there...I´ve been through it, too...you are upset and exhausted and that is normal...

the important thing is clarity on the progression of your symptoms...have they improved after starting the antibiotics? If so, there should be no reason to do anything else...just continue the meds and get better...but if it has been proven you have an abscess (as others have mentioned), then yes, you need to get it treated, but ONLY if you actually have an abscess...

I was also told to stop BFing after one month - by my VERY uninformed OB/GYN - it is really amazing just how ignorant many medical professionals are about this (not all, but too many)...

Finding a La Leche League or other BFing support group is essential - and a practitioner who is BFing friendly and knowledgeable, if possible

you can also supplement the antibiotics with up to 4000 mg of Vitamin C daily, TONS of water, frequent BFing and as much rest and relaxation as possible (although I know that is extremely difficult with a newborn)

[kittywitty]

I agree-please hang in there! It sounds like you're doing everything right. I had the same issues when I had #1 and it was horrid-I couldn't even walk. But after a few days of abx I was fine.

[donutmolly]

I hope you found some good help. Mastitis is awful, but definitely find a health provider who is knowledgeable about it before accepting more treatment. Also, since your babe is so young, you might need more help in getting your breasts really empty, so it might be worthwhile to pump after baby eats too. Hang in there! I hope you feel better soon!

[JessBB]

When ds1 was a newborn, I had to go to the ER with mastitis. I really didn't want him in there so I went in by myself and dh waited with him in the car & just brought him in to feed. Would that work for you?

[karika]

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mom/mastitis.html

This article tells everything there is to know about mastitis and plugged ducts. I had mastitis when dd1 was older, more like 8 mo. It was because we went too long between feedings (she slept for 7 hrs once) and I slept on my stomach IMO... anyway, read the above site for everything you need to know. I didn't see a health practitioner. We locked ourselves in a safe room with a pallet on the floor and a book for me to read. I used the heating pad on low, massaged like crazy, and nursed nursed nursed. I was better in a few days. But I didn't have an open wound. Antibiotics may be necessary in your case. Make sure you replace the good bacteria the ax is killing by taking a probiotic at a different time than the ax, separated by 3 hours. Taking GSE, 3-5 drops in OJ twice a day will help kill any stuff that shouldn't be in your body also and can be taken in conjunction with ax, but also away from the probiotic...

[ejg123]

I am so sorry you are going through this. Just a note of encouragement and to echo that LLL was very helpful to me when I was struggling with breastfeeding and perpetually plugged ducts and a slight case of mastitis. I hope you find the help and support you need. Breastfeeding early on can be so challenging even in the absence of being sick and in pain too. Big hugs, Elizabeth

[Tres]

Thank you SO MUCH for all the responses. I read most last week, but I didn't respond (was on my iphone in bed). I am now feeling half-human again.

Here is what happened:

I did call my midwife but they can't prescribe antibiotics here and I actually kind of felt left out in the cold by her. I know she was busy at births etc, but she didn't really provide me with any support besides returning my calls and I was in tears on the phone. I wish she would have come over and just talked with me

I decided to wait it out 24 hours from the time the doctor said I needed to go to the ER. The next day the duct was gone and I felt better so I never had to go to the ER, thank goodness. My breast is still slightly reddened and a bit sore, but I am healing.

I went to a LLL meeting yesterday. There were some lovely ladies there. There was also a lady there with a baby the same age as mine, who was having a rough time with inverted nipples etc, though it makes me sound awful, it felt good to know that lots of women need support in this breastfeeding journey, not just me. I have to say I never felt so alone then when I left that doctor's office last week.

Just as an aside, The doctor told me there were risks to me taking antibiotics while breastfeeding so I should formula feed, so I looked right at him, and said, "do you want to share the risks of formula feeding with me too then" He looked at me blankly and said, "there are no risks". I just wish that doctors could be INFORMED imagine if I didn't have even my limited knowledge, another Mama might have lost her breastfeeding relationship.

Thanks again. My sweet little nursling thanks you too, Mamas.

[PatioGardener]

Originally Posted by Tres

Just as an aside, The doctor told me there were risks to me taking antibiotics while breastfeeding so I should formula feed, so I looked right at him, and said, "do you want to share the risks of formula feeding with me too then" He looked at me blankly and said, "there are no risks". I just wish that doctors could be INFORMED imagine if I didn't have even my limited knowledge, another Mama might have lost her breastfeeding relationship.

OMG you are my hero!!!

in your time of pain and worry you still had the strength to stick up for your LO! well done! that MD needs some education...

(nak)

[texmati]

oh hugs mama! You sound so strong! You might try to visit the FYT section and post/search for an LC recommendation local to you.

[kittywitty]

Wow, if that wasn't a ridiculous statement by your doctor! Good for you and for improvement!

[AbbieB]

Originally Posted by Tres

Just as an aside, The doctor told me there were risks to me taking antibiotics while breastfeeding so I should formula feed, so I looked right at him, and said, "do you want to share the risks of formula feeding with me too then" He looked at me blankly and said, "there are no risks". I just wish that doctors could be INFORMED imagine if I didn't have even my limited knowledge, another Mama might have lost her breastfeeding relationship.

Thanks again. My sweet little nursling thanks you too, Mamas.

Awesome!

I think you did great momma. At 9 days post partum with my first baby I was a weepy wreck. DD was having a hard time latching and I thought I was the worst mother ever. Silly, but that's how I felt. It took us 2 weeks of tears and persistence but she got the hang of it and then things went smoothly.

I'm glad that you are on the mend. There is one thing that I don't think anybody else has mentioned yet, grab that baby and snuggle in bed as much as you can. Rest is really important for a speedy recovery. I learned in LLL that at the first sign of an infection the best thing to do was to go to bed with the baby and rest, rest, rest.