Think I may be getting mastitis...

[granola_mom]

Last night I noticed a sore, tender lump in my left breast. I put some warm compresses on and massaged it, but it's only gotten more painful overnight. I had mastitis three months ago in the same breast and took antibiotics but would like to avoid them this time if possible.. are there any alternatives?

[caiesmommy]

I was told vitamin c in a post I put up about havinng mastitis....sorry if you do have it again, cause OUCH...Ive just gotten over it and im havinng the red feeling come back last night so Im going to start taking a TON of vitamin c!...

[sanguine_speed]

Mama, I'm so sorry. I just had mastitis and it's pretty awful. I'm not sure what to suggest; i didn't recognize it for a couple days since I had just had my baby and thought that pain and discomfort was part of breastfeeding a newborn. Then the fever etc killed me.

I do know that to prevent mastitis, try to make sure and empty your breasts frequently. But, that's not really useful to you right now I suppose. Best of luck mama and i hope other mamas have better ideas for you.

[MilkTrance]

Hi hon, I am feeling your pain as I type! I send you healthy vibes.

[loriforeman]

Originally Posted by granola_mom

Last night I noticed a sore, tender lump in my left breast. I put some warm compresses on and massaged it, but it's only gotten more painful overnight. I had mastitis three months ago in the same breast and took antibiotics but would like to avoid them this time if possible.. are there any alternatives?

nurse, nurse, nurse! and heat...express by hand to start the let-down if you need to, to avoid some of the pain...

take some ibuprofen to control the fever and take the edge off the pain. high fevers can screw with your milk.

drink LOTS of water. no caffeine.

it hurts like the dickens to nurse when it's like that...but it's the only way to get that junk out of there.

[SarahJoy]

i never had to deal with this with DD1 but DD2 is only 2 1/2 weeks old and we've already been thru it.

ibruprofen for the fever and swelling. heat compresses. grated potatoe on your breast till the potatoe dries out (or till it's time for baby to eat) to draw out the infection. nurse nurse nurse. extra vitamin C. and i was also taking coloidal silver (sp? mom was the one who said to take it.. i dunno how to spell it.) and lymph gland support.

and WATER! lots and lots of water. no caffeine. no extra sugar.

[RachelGS]

Definitely, definitely the vitamin C. That has been my greatest fix, and I've tried it ALL. It works wonders in high doses.