Mastitis Due To Natural Weaning - Need Help!

[mama-mukti]

I am struggling right now for several days b/c of mastitis symptoms. My DS is 27 months old and has been undergoing a natural weaning for some months now. We just cut out the nursing to sleep a week ago and only nurse once in the middle of the night. Well, cutting from two nursings to one nursings has left me with mastitis in the right breast. The problem is: the treatment for mastitis is to empty the breast by continued nursing. I don't want to pump or nurse because I don't want the supply to build back up - we are weaning and that is a GOOD thing for us. I need some suggestions to get me through this time. I am trying to fortify myself through herbs, Evening Primrose Oil, Lecithin, and Ibuprofen. Should I use cold compresses? My instinct is telling me to use cold. I think heat is wrong at this time for me. Anyone else gone through this?
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[tanyalynn]

I got mastitis just a month ago or so and took really, really high doses of vitamin C to stop it. I also nursed, though, as much as I could from that side, because I think the emptying of the milk ducts helps--you may have to take a pause in the weaning and then start up again when you're better--I don't mean to increase milk production, but nurse/pump enough to mostly empty that breast (as if this level of milk production is a steady-state level). Am I making sense? Anyway, heat made me feel better, but if cold seems right to you, then it seems like you should do that. I hope you feel better soon.

[mama-mukti]

Thanks for your reply. Right now I don't even think there is any milk to pump. Maybe that is part of the problem. I took a hot bath with dead sea mineral salts in it last night followed by ibuprofen and cold packs and that helped. I also think I have some underlying muscle soreness from over-activity over the weekend (painting a ceileing) which agravated it. I feel a little better today after a really early night. DS nursed once in the night and that was about right for us. I think if I continue to take care of myself I should avoid any further problems. Thanks again.