Help/suggestions please (mastitis)

[eirual]

Okay, I need to kick this.

So far I've found relief with SUPER hot long showers during which I express that I can, and after doing that I can comfortably put DS to breast. I also loaded up on vit C.

What else can I do aside from abx?

[doulajewla]

Ok i have had mastitis 4 times with this baby (baby #4) and NEVER had it with my others... well had it once for 3 hours with my newborn first baby. anyway...i JUST got over the 4th bout of mastitis last week. I took vit c every 2 hours along with echinacea every 2hrs also. Ate miso soups and rested, plenty of water and nursed on that side ALOT even though it hurt like a son of a gun. This is a remedy that i got from my friend, who got it from a great book....I think it was one of Susun Weed's books??? I may be mistaken though, i cant remember. There are other things you can do too, but that works best for me. Try grating a raw potato and sticking it on your breast until it gets really warm. that helps draw out the infection. Good luck, I know all too well what its like....still not sure why i keep getting it....nipple placement is good, she totally empties the breast, she feeds on the affected breast MORE than the other non affected one lol and its always the same breast, same spot. Maybe im just run down from having 4 kids lol.

[puamama]

i feel for you

I agree with the vit C and echinacea,it helped me too. I also took Silicea homeopathy pellets by Boiron, zinc and extra vitamin A. I was also told to drink pure cranberry juice by a mother, midwife and nutritionalist but I never tried it.
If you can soak in a hot tub for 20 min. then use a cold/icey compress for 5 min. then go back in the hot tub again and repeat 3 times it should make you feel a lot better.
I also used a comb to comb from the clogged duct to the nipple while in the hot tub or hot shower.
I've had it 5X... I had a breast reduction many years ago and every time I try to amp up my milk supply, i get mastitis:

good luck and i hope you heal quickly!!!

cheers,
marcy

[eirual]

Thanks ladies!

Things are on the mend, not perfect yet, but much better...I have yet to try the potato deal, but do intend to!

I have no echinacea but have been expressing what I can and putting DS to breast much more now that I'm more comfortable, I've also been drinking lots of water and doing shots of cranberry juice with vit C added every now and again.

[whoamama]

If you can tell where the blockage is, massage it alot. Also, try nursing babe with her/his chin lined up with the blocked duct(s).Take it easy, I mean it! Don't goo anywhere you don't have to, don't do any chores you don't have to, just nurse and massage, drink and rest!