Breastfeeding moms around the world will agree that having mastitis is no walk in the park. As an exclusively breastfeeding mom of four, I can attest to its awfulness. I have had it at some point during each of the four rounds of breastfeeding I’ve done. I’ll tell you how to spot right away so you can move on to seeking treatment.
*Disclaimer: I’m not a doctor. If I was, I’d be at my doctor job, not writing this blog post. This is general information, not medical advice. When in doubt, see your doctor. That’s why they’re here!
What is Mastitis?
Mastitis is a breast infection that happens when you’re breastfeeding. It is caused by bacteria entering a milk duct. Plugged milk ducts can also contribute to mastitis.
My Experience With Mastitis
I woke up one morning feeling achy and sore all over. Also, I had a really painful breast. As a breastfeeding mom, that’s never a good way to wake up in the morning. Not how I wanted to start my day, but there I was in pain and misery at 7 a.m. I nursed my lady baby and ran out the door to drop my oldest kiddo off at summer camp for the day.
After I got home from running around, I decided to pump and still felt no relief. Upon further inspection, I noticed one of the tell-tale signs of mastitis: redness and swelling. And pain. Did I mention that it’s painful? Ugh.
I’ve had mastitis at least once with each nursling. It either happened when I had an oversupply of milk that I didn’t pump off or when I had missed a nursing session because my baby was actually sleeping for once.
I quickly put in a call to my physician, and she recommended ibuprofen and an antibiotic to quell the infection. Now that I am on the road to recovery, I’ll share some of the common signs of mastitis (breast infection common to nursing mothers).
Common Symptoms of Mastitis
- Pain– Pain is usually an early indicator that something is not well with the world. An achy, heavy breast with or without a hardened area would be a red flag for mastitis. Letdowns can be particularly uncomfortable.
- Redness– Redness on your breast is another telltale symptom of mastitis. It may feel hot to the touch, as well.
- Flu-like symptoms– If you wake up feeling like 10 miles of bad road, pay attention! I woke up achy, sore, and generally uncomfortable. If you’ve ever had the flu, you know the feeling.
- Fever– A fever of 101° or above is a definite sign to take notice of what your body is telling you. My fever came on late in the day, and left me feeling even more lousy than before.
- Fatigue– Dragging through the day, excessive fatigue coupled with other symptoms could mean mastitis.
What To Do if You Suspect You Have Mastitis
- Now, if you’re experiencing any of these common symptoms of mastitis, it is very important to call your doctor (obgyn or midwife) right away. Waiting too long to seek treatment will just leave you feeling awful longer than necessary. Even after 24 hours of antibiotics, you’ll likely feel only slightly better than before you started medication.
- Follow your doctor’s advice.
- Keep breastfeeding. Start with the sore breast first, and nurse often. Please do not use this as a reason to quit breastfeeding!
Comfort Measures
Things that I’ve done for comofort during a bout with mastitis include:
- Ibuprofen
- Hot showers with breast massage
- Nursing and pumping frequently
- Hot compress
- Rest, rest, rest!
Key Takeaways For Nursing Moms
- Mastitis is a breast infection.
- Feels like the flu with sharp breast pain.
- It must be treated with antibiotics.
- Use comfort measures to feel better while waiting for antibiotics to kick in.
- Keep breastfeeding and give yourself time to rest.
