Mastisis? :( « Back to Group Discussions

[guatemama1]

Yesterday my right boob was sorta sore, then at night I went to bed with the chills and DH confirmed I was burning up. I took Tyenol and the chills subsided and I could sleep. Today no more fever but right boob is SORE! I can still nurse, it's not the nipple, but the boob, especially the bottom part. It hurts under it's own weight. A quick google search of: sore boob, fever and I got info about mastisis :(

Any thoughts? :(

Side note ~ Yesterday when the sore boob thing started I told DH it wasn't like a pain I'd felt in BF'ing thus far, it actually felt more like early pregnancy boob pain. You should have seen the look on his face!!! Frozen. Eyes wide open. Guess we know where DH stands on that....

[mugglesmom]

You poor thing!  I had mastitis and it sucks big time, I thought I had the flu, it felt like I got hit by a truck!  I used hot wet washcloths on the sore red area and pumped and nursed like crazy, took ibuprofen for the pain and inflamation and drank a ton of water, I think I actually drank emergen-c as well, and rest as much as you can.  I would just lay in bed with Arlo and nurse with a washcloth on your boob all day.  I called my doc for an antibiotic script just in case but I didn't need to take it, I got rid of it in 3 days. 

If it's on the underside of your breast it might be a blocked duct from your bra, so maybe go braless for a few days too.

Good luck hope you feel better!

[guatemama1]

what did you do about the other boob? i understand i should nurse as much as possible on the sore side but did you worry about the other side getting engorged or developing probs too? how did you balance making sure to use the other boob, too?

[rducky]

How are you doing?

Pump or manually express on the other side to keep up with your supply. I had the same thing a couple of weeks ago. If you can clear the blockage it should be fine.  I was really lucky that I was able to clear it in just a few feedings.  Otherwise, try to see your doctor or midwife.  For me it happened when Aoife started sleeping longer at night.

[mugglesmom]

Originally Posted by rducky 

How are you doing?

Pump or manually express on the other side to keep up with your supply. I had the same thing a couple of weeks ago. If you can clear the blockage it should be fine.  I was really lucky that I was able to clear it in just a few feedings.  Otherwise, try to see your doctor or midwife.  For me it happened when Aoife started sleeping longer at night.

Just keep moving milk along on both sides and you should be fine. 

Are you feeling any better yet?

[guatemama1]

thanks for the help. i feel exponentially better today :) the constant nursing on that side and hot towels i think really helped. it's still red on the underside of da boob but definitely better, phew!

since my boobs no longer get 'engorged' they feel normal-ish i forget what side i was nursing on last. i think this may have been my problem. i need to start paying more attention to using each boob entirely.

[stellabluz]

Oh man, just seeing this. Hoping you are feelin better.