Mastitis--Help!

[lexbeach]

I've suddenly come down with a nasty case of mastitis, and I'm sort of at a loss. My nursling is 18 months old. I've been plagued by plugged ducts many times, but I'm usually able to get the plug out before it comes to this. I don't know when to give up and go for the antibiotics (I haven't had to take antibiotics for mastitis since my twins were newborns). All I've been doing so far is resting, drinking a lot of water, and nursing as much as possible. My LO is pretty frustrated at the infected breast, but he is nursing on it at least once every couple hours. The plug is much improved from yesterday (less painful and smaller), but the redness seems to be spreading rather than receding.

I'd love any input!

Thanks!

Lex

[PatioGardener]

I have been told that if there is not an improvement in 24 hours, go and get the antibiotics. No more than 48 hours max. in order to avoid an abscess. Are you feverish still? Hang in there, and keep nursing. If you can't totally move the duct, sometimes a partner (if willing) can shift it when a baby can't.
good luck!

ETA: re-read about the redness spreading - that doesn't sound good. Are you able to access a doctor or midwife quickly? Even if you had a prescription for antibiotics that you could fill if needed...

ETA: Your kids are gorgeous!

[lexbeach]

I feel sort of feverish (chills, etc.), but I don't actually have a fever at the moment. My breast definitely feels better than it did 24 hours ago, but it looks worse. Which is concerning. I think it would help if my baby would just suck really strongly at it, but I think because he's used to my fast letdown, he's just hanging out there waiting for the milk to appear, and shaking his head (ow!). He does little sucks, but that's it. I wish I had a pump! This is so frustrating!

Lex

[PatioGardener]

Honestly, if it looks worse, I'd be heading to the doc. Kind of counterintuitive, but since it is feeling better, but looking worse, I would worry that the body may be walling the infection off into an abscess - something to be avoided if all possible!

Good luck!

[lexbeach]

Thanks for your responses. I'm so hesitant to go for the antibiotics since when this happened last time (5 years ago) I ended up with thrush and then systemic yeast for six months.

I also think like I would feel sicker (and get a real fever) if this was serious. I will see how things are in the morning. If there's no improvement or if things are worse, I'll call my midwife. Hopefully my little one will suck all the yuck out in his sleep tonight. If it weren't for the redness, I wouldn't be worried at all. I wonder what it's about?

Lex

[PatioGardener]

Ohhh - now I understand your reluctance. Hopefully a night of nursing will make all the difference. Are you doing warm compresses and trying to massage it out as well?

I've read that some moms use large doses of vit C as well, and others use garlic for mastitis - but I don't know the details.

[lexbeach]

It's definitely better today, though still not completely better. The redness is less red (only barely noticeable now), and has stopped spreading, and the breast is less sore. I think maybe the part that's still plugged is moving closer to my nipple. Ds doesn't seem as frustrated with nursing on the "bad" breast either.

So, good news! I still feel tired and a little out-of-it, but I am much more optimistic now that this will resolve on its own without antibiotics.

Thanks for the tip about the Vitamin C and garlic! I took some of each last night, and that may be what did the trick!

Thanks for the support,

Lex

[PatioGardener]

Great to hear that things are improving!