Bad mastitis - Please help

[lsmama]

So this is my 2nd case in over a months (diff breat each time).  DD is 4 1/2 months.  I've had 2 doses of antibiotic so far after suffering with fever 102+ for a few days and doing hot compresses and massage.  Fever is now 103.4.  Anyway, DD is refusing the affected breast.  When I try to pump, I am only getting drops on that side.  What should I do?  I have a freezer stash.  I feel like I need to make sure she's getting enough as it's been so hot lately and her last pee of the night was kind of stinky.  But will giving her bottles make the whole situation worse.  Ugh.  I am so close to throwing in the towel.  I bf'd older DD until she self-weaned at 17 months and had plans to do the same.  But these infections are knocking me on my a%s, and I feel like my whole family is suffering.  What would you do?

Thanks

[PatioGardener]

Emptying that breast is really important. If baby won't nurse and pumping isn't doing it, I would try to hand express, get my partner (if I had one) to try to unplug the blockage by mouth, massage and try to express in the shower, and take ibuprofen (LLL told me that it helps with the inflammation.) 

It sounds nasty - hope you feel better soon!

[RavenStar]

I've heard acupuncture can clear up mastitis.  I had mastitis with my first baby.  I didn't get acupuncture at the time, but later it was recommended to me.  It's worth a try. 

What finally helped with DD1 was changing the way I nursed.  For me it was an oversupply issue.  So I nursed on one side and then the other side at the next feeding.

I totally understand how you're feeling.  For me, the antibiotics only kept the mastitis away for the two weeks I was on them, then it came right back.  At one point, my fever was 104.  Very scary.

As far as the breast that won't drain, I'm not sure what you've tried.

Here are the things that helped me:

*Hot compress right before feeding to get the milk flowing

*Massaging the affected breast after applying heat to get the milk moving

*When doing massage you can use oil.  Be as gentle as possible and start from your armpit or upper chest and move down to the nipple.

*I also used remedies from the book "Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year" by Susun Weed

She recommends poultices, compresses and soaks.  She says that just warm water is helpful and that herbs increase the effectiveness.  She says "frequent (4-5 times a day), short (3-5 minute) consistent applications" work best.  In the case of infection, throw away the herbs after you apply them.  Also use a clean towel each time.

*Cold poultice of cold, raw grated potato to "draw out the heat of inflammation, localize infection, and unblock clogged tubes.  Grate raw potato and apply directly to the breast(s), covering with a clean cloth.  Remove or replace when dry."  You can do this in-between feedings.  I found that this remedy does help over time.

*For mastitis, she recommends "hot applications to the breast at least four times daily, plenty of bed rest, nursing as often and as long as possible on the infected breast" in addition to using the poultices and herbs. 

All the best to you and feel free to PM me also.

[RavenStar]

I also just read in two of my books that taking echinacea augustafolia internally can help boost immunity and clear infection.

[foreverinbluejeans]

I'm so sorry this is happening. I wouldn't give bottles. This is a short term situation and if your baby doesn't get quite enough milk for a couple of days it doesn't matter. You and the baby should be in bed and not out in the heat. Keep trying to get the baby to nurse the infected breast - that would be best for both of you. If you pumped or expressed a little before the feeding that may help.

[Chicky2]

Hot parsley compresses!!! (also Susun Weed) I had a horrible time w/mastitis when I was tandeming (my fault, too).  I took a pot of hot water (as hot as I could possibly stand!), dunked a prefold dipe filled w/fresh parsley and tied up in it.  Then I put that on the affected breast for 5 minutes.  Then I'd move to the sink where I would lean over (or a bowl on the table if you are not an Amazon like I) and start expressing manually until the milk started to flow.  THEN I'd lay Baby down on the bed and get on all 4s over Baby and nurse that way.  If you normally hold Baby in a cradle hold, while leaning over Baby, try a different way, like how the baby would be if you were doing a football hold.  Make sure to locate the plugged duct that is causing all this, and massage that as you nurse..Always nurse on the affected side first...Always aim the baby's lower jaw towards the plugged duct.

Oh, and other than the above, my midwife always told me that I should be in bed, and drinking water or herb tea pretty much constantly.

Nurse often!

Edited by Chicky2 - 7/26/11 at 3:21pm

[Chicky2]

OP, how are you feeling?