[lotusblossom9]

I was diagnosed with mastitis in the left breast a couple of days after Thanksgiving but refused the antibiotics b/c I thought I could heal it naturally. A couple of days after the symptoms went away, I got mastitis in the right breast. My midwife said I had to take antibiotics this time, and if I got mastitis again I would have to stop breastfeeding. I wasn't able to ask her why, since we were both on cell phones (it was after office hours) and the connection was bad.

So now I'm on antibiotics but I'm terrified I'm going to get mastitis again! I have oversupply which makes it difficult to empty my breasts.

Why would I have to stop breastfeeding? Has anyone had to stop breastfeeding because of recurrent mastitis?

 

[nummies]

No, I haven't heard of that.

: Sounds a little odd to me. In fact, just stopping abruptly can CAUSE mastitis.

Kellymom is a great resource for mastitis information. http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/...tml#treatments

The main treatment for recurring mastitis is to fix the oversupply problem. http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/fast-letdown.html

 

[alegna]

BAD information.

Mastitis is NOT a reason to stop breastfeeding. Personally I would fire such an uneducated midwife (or at least not ask them anything breastfeeding-related)

-Angela

 

[Baby_Cakes]

I've never heard of that either - sounds bogus.

Just in case you aren't doing this, please take probiotics while taking the abx. I didn't think to do it and I've been battling thrush for just over a month b/c of it. I had mastitis, took abx, and got thrush. So painful, so annoying.

 

[rivkah]

Unfortunately, I have suffered more than my fair share of Mastitis. One thing that will NOT help is to stop nursing. (BTW--I never took antibiotics either, and I always got better within 48 hours.) I would ask her what she was thinking. Maybe you misunderstood since you had phone issues.

 

[fruitfulmomma]

As the pp's said - NO, do not stop breastfeeding. That is about the worst thing you can do. The main recommendation for mastitis is getting the babe to nurse ALOT on that side to get the ducts unplugged.

You may want to do the antibiotics now just to get it under control, but I would take a probiotic along with it to keep yeast at bay. Mastitis can turn very serious if it is not taken care of. However, in the future if you feel an episode coming on you can take herbs to get rid of it. I don't have my books right in front of me but in Shonda Parker's book - I *think* the pregnancy one - she gives instructions for dealing with it. I am sure you can find some info in any other good maternal herbal handbook. One thing specifically was garlic capsules.

Also, I stopped wearing bras at home and only wear shelf-type bras (no cups and they are stretchy) when going out. This has helped tremendously. I don't think I had an episode at all with this last baby.

 

[bri276]

I had mastitis six times over the course of 21 months, it never stopped me and I never took abx for it (though I would have if it hadn't always gone away on it's own within 24 hours). I would really question her competence if this is the advice she gives out.

 

[Siera]

Agree -- never heard of that either. If you stop breastfeeding suddenly, you're just asking for more mastitis! You want your baby to nurse! Check out Dr. Newman's site! Good luck -- I hope you feel better real soon!

 

[JustBlaze]

Stopping would definitely be counter productive. Could you do some pumping to help get the milk out? Feel better!

 

[LadyCatherine185]

Sorry you are going through this mama! I have no advice, and this is OT but I wanted to say that your LO was born on my bday!

Hope you get well soon!!!!

 

[nigellas]

I've had mastitis 3 times. I even landed in the hospital on an IV drip of hard core antibiotics because the regular stuff wasn't fixing it and it developed into cellulitis (you could see the redness of the infection all the way up to my collar bone). After checking the Hale book, I felt confident BFing my son through it all. You do NOT need to stop BFing because of mastitis OR antibiotics.

 

[HarperRose]

Keep nursing! I've had recurrent mastitis in my right breast ever since ds2 was born. I also have an over supply.

I would do block nursing (I'd nurse on one side for 2 or 3 feeds before switching) and it helped. Fixing the over supply will help the mastitis.