help! re:mastitis

[transylvania_mom]

I think I have mastitis. My dr prescribed antibiotics. My 3 y/o son is still nursing once a day maybe, but started refusing lately.
Do I NEED to keep nursing/pumping to get rid of the infection? I don't have much milk left, my breast is soft except for a big lump. My dr said to me I don't have to nurse any more if my ds refuses.
I need your help please. Can I get rid of the infection if my ds stops nursing? I can't pump, my breast hurts too much I can't even touch it.
Please?....

[PatioGardener]

I think emptying the breast of milk is really important to get rid of the mastitis. Can you take something for the pain and hand express, rather than pump? (Maybe in the shower?)

it sounds awful!

[amberskyfire]

I've had it twice and this is what I do. It helps a lot. If you only have the lump/infection on one side, massage and feed the baby only on that side and then use the pump to empty the other side. The baby will do a better job of emptying the breast than the pump will, so until the infection is gone, only nurse him on the infected breast.

[kimbersdawnly]

I have to agree, painkillers, warm shower, and massage that lump out! You need to unclog the duct that's causing the infection. If your little guy is self-weaning, that's fine, but if he's willing to nurse for you on that side it will definitely help. The trouble is you'll have to strike a balance between trying to relieve the pressure in your breast and not wanting to increase your supply for fear of the whole thing starting over again if your son still doesn't want to nurse. Personally, I would massage in the shower a couple of times a day if you can get some milk out that way because that might bring you some relief without any nipple/supply stimulation.

[mommietime]

I quit b/f on my second round of mastitis. I took tylenol3 and massaged in a very hot shower.

[transylvania_mom]

update

Just wanted to thank everyone for the wonderful advice. I got rid of mastitis, but had to plead with my ds to nurse 2-3 times a day... although he was looking funnily at me...
OMG, the pain was terrible; I'm glad I didn't follow my dr's advice (he said I don't need to do anything about emptying the breast).

Mommietime, congratulations on your pregnancy! did you already choose a name? I love the names of your dk.

[blueridgewoman]

Some people say that the milk tastes a bit funny when you have mastitis- salty and just a little odd. My dd was a bit resistant about nursing on my affected side, but we curled up together when she was a bit sleepy and she just nursed and nursed until the plug cleared usually.

Also, if you have a white dot on your nipple, Dr. Sears suggests taking a sterile needle and popping it. It's probably controversial advice, but.... fwiw, my dd popped my little blister once and the plug really resolved.

[mommietime]

Transylvania Mom...LOL

Astazi este ultrasound, asa avem nume cand stiu fata sau baiat. Sotsul mea este din Cluj, si sunt American. (evident!)

I know that isn't very good, I don't know grammar and I leave out all the small connecting words ( of, is, etc.) I know enough to get by, but nowhere near fluent.

We are leaning toward Mirabella for a girl. Do you remember a children's movie from the 70s or 80s, Mioara Mirabella with animated frogs and fairies? I don't know what the actual name of it was. Well, that's where I got Mirabella

We try for names that work in both places.

DH's father was Teodor, so we are thinking about that for a boy.