mastitis (brother asking for sister)

[Socks!]

i'm not sure whether i post this in the right thread but i've got a problem:
my sister is suffering from mastitis and is lying in bed. so she can't take care of her two kids (1&3 yo). right now my mother is looking after them but she won't be able to do this the next few days, because she has to go to work. so my sister really has to get healthy real quick. she already took the first dose of antibiotics, which she hates. so i'm asking for any suggestions you guys have to help me and my sister. thx for your help

[mom0810]

Tell her to nurse, nurse, and nurse! Bedrest is good, and moist warm compresses are good, too. LOTS of garlic and vitamin C (like 3000-5000 mg/day). Tell her to drink TONS of water, and to pump when she is not nursing.

She may need more antibiotics, but you can kick mastitis without them sometimes. It can also help to lean over a sink or bowl full of warm water and soak the breasts while massaging toward the nipple. Or to stand in a warm shower and massage toward the nipple.

I hope this helps. I just got over this and it's awful. Dr. Sears' website has some good info on this that I found helpful, also.

[CathMac]

What a lucky sister (and Mom for that matter) except of course for the mastitis.

Please note I have included a bunch of links below. They should have all the info she needs. I can't offer an opinion on whether she should renew the antibiotics (if she is currently taking them) but she should at least finish whatever she is taking. I am guessing she is concerned that she and/or the baby will develope Thrush (yeast infection) because of the Antibiotics. Most of the links I have given below are to Kellymom. If Thrush is a concern do a key word search Kellymom using the word "Thrush" and you will learn all she needs to know about preventing and treating thrush. I will give you a brief and incomplete summary: limit sugar intake and junky carbs, change bra/undergarment daily or more often, wash in hot water, bleach or vinegar ...

Regarding mastitis: NURSE, NURSE, NURSE; moist heat (moist heating pad, microwaveable thermal pad wrapped in damp face cloth, hot shower, etc.); gentle massage in combination with moist heat; "combing" downwards with fingertips or a wide-toothed comb in combination with moist heat; rest.

Co-sleep to promote nursing and rest at the same time. Kellymom has safetytips on the "Family Bed" (use that as the search term if co-sleeping doesn't take you there). Oh did I mention: NURSE, NURSE, NURSE

LINKS DIRECTLY BELOW

Plugged Ducts and Mastitis
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mom/mastitis.html

Recurrent Mastitis or Plugged Ducts
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/...-mastitis.html

Engorgement
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/...gorgement.html

MASTITIS
http://www.askdrsears.com/html/2/T022200.asp

What can I do about my repeated cases of mastitis?
http://www.lalecheleague.org/FAQ/repeatmastitis.html

Natural treatments for nursing moms (NOTE, you’ll need to scroll to the relevant section)
http://www.kellymom.com/herbal/natural-treatments.html

Good luck and God Bless you for being supportive.
~Cath