HELP, I think I have mastitis.....

[mamabev]

DS2 is almost 13mths and I think I have somehow managed to develop mastitis. I don't really want to go on antibiotics but am not really sure how to treat it. I have been taking vit c, echinacea & lecithin today but am now out of ideas. DH has been off work with knee surgery for 10 days so I have been single  parenting pretty much and as both boys have had killer colds have not had much rest. DH has taken the boys this afternoon and I have been snoozing. I still have a gigh temp but at least now I feel hot with it rather than freezing. Any suggestions would be v welcome but I don't really want to spend a lot of money if possible

TIA

[lotsofcloth]

Mastitis can be a bacterial infection.  It really does need antibiotics -- you don't want to develop an abcess.  If you can feel a plug, try to massage that area (try in the bath or a warm shower to make it easier) -- if it's not full-blown yet, that could help.  But if you have flu-like symptoms, you need to call your HCP.  Abcesses often need to be surgically drained, so you don't want to go down that road if you can avoid it.

[mum5]

no advice for alternative ideas, but I just had the start of mastitis a week or so ago. Ds is 1 year old, and I have previously nursed 2 babies, for an extended period, and never had it.

I did have an absess when I was pg with dd2, and had to have it drained, it was not fun, but not horrific either, but was also not mastitis.

I have heard that you need abx in order to clear it up unfortuntely.

Good luck.

[motherhendoula]

I agree with PP - rather catch it now with an antibiotic rather than let it progress to the point of abscess.  Warm compresses can help, massages can help - rest, vit C , echinacea, chicken soup  can all help.  and remember - above all to keep nursing on that side.  If you have a temp, i would call HCP for prescription.

[Heba]

Excellent information from Kelly Bonyata here: http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mom/mastitis.html

But in short, if symptoms have not improved in 12-24 hours, then antiobiotics may well be necessary to shift it as PPs have said.  Treatment is necessary to avoid an abscess.

Hope you feel better soon!