Mastitis?? x-post in DDC

[karalynnskies]

Alright ladies I am waiting on my lactation consultant to call me back and I don't know if I should be taking more extreme steps and calling my dr or what.

I woke up this morning about 4 and my right breast felt super swollen and sore, almost like engorgement but I was having chills and a fever of 99 and I felt like I was going to get sick. Right away I though mastitis..

So I fed Jude off of that side, it was uncomfortable but wasn't excruciating, I took some ibuprofen, and applied a warm compress and went back to sleep. I got up to feed him again and still felt pretty awful and super nauseous. Continued with the warm compresses and laid back down.

I am feeling much better now. My breast is still sore but its not hard and doesn't feel as swollen. It was really really sore this morning and I can stand to touch it at this point. It isn't red or inflamed looking either. My nausea is gone and I don't have the chills.  I just keep feeding him on that side first and really trying to get him to drain it. I pump on the other side for comfort if he won't eat anymore after the first side. I am also continuing with the warm compresses. I just took my temp again and it is still 99.6.

I don't know if this happened because last night I fed him off the left side and he fell asleep. I usually try to wake him and offer the other side but a friend was over and wanting to hold him so I let her. He slept for almost 5 hours. By the time he awoke I was SUPER full and uncomfortable on the right side.

Do you think this is mastitis? And if so do you think I can kick it myself or do you think I need to put a call into the dr. I am hoping my lactation consultant will call me back soon for some advice. I just don't want this to get out of control.

[foreverinbluejeans]

I'm sorry you aren't feeling well. One of the criteria to determine if you need antibiotics is how high your temperature is. Since you are taking meds that lower your temp you don't know how high it would be. Your body increases its temp so that microbes can't reproduce as well. Having a temp of 99.6 isn't really considered a fever.

Pumping can increase your milk and can hurt your breasts. If you have to relieve discomfort you could hand express or go in the shower and lett the milk flow. Cold compresses or cold cabbage may help with the pain and decrease swelling.

Even if it is mastitis, do you need antibiotics? When you take antibiotics there is the risk of getting yeast and thrush. If you can rest in bed a couple of days with your baby nursing frequently, avoid taking fever reducers, and you don't get a fever of 101-102 or higher you may be able to get better on your own. I hope you are better soon.