Common breastfeeding concerns: Mastitis

Breastfeeding is a special bonding experience for moms and their little ones. However, to experience the immense benefits, you may have to overcome some common issues: Latching difficulties, low milk production, engorgement, sore nipples, and the dreaded mastitis.

Mastitis is an infection of the breast tissue, and most commonly affects women who are breastfeeding, although sometimes it can occur in women who aren't nursing.

According to the Mayo Clinic, it generally occurs within the first three months after giving birth, but can also happen later during breastfeeding. Untreated, it can result in a painful abscess, which may need to be surgically removed or drained.

Sometimes it means a mother will wean her baby before she intends to, but you can continue breastfeeding while you have mastitis. There are three common causes: Infection, engorgement, and blocked ducts. An infection is sometimes the result of a cracked nipple, and typically only one breast is affected.

The following symptoms or signs could be present: Other symptoms include chills, shivers, muscle aches, nausea, and vomiting. A blocked duct will sometimes occur in nursing moms, and it also causes a painful swollen area in the breast. It usually happens gradually and affects only one breast. Clogged milk ducts and mastitis have similar symptoms, but the pain, heat, and swelling is typically more intense with infection.

• An area of the breast becomes red.
• The affected area of the breast hurts to the touch.
• The affected area feels hot to the touch.
• A burning sensation in the breast, all the time or only when breastfeeding.
• A fever of 101.3 or greater.

Prevention and usual treatment of mastitis

The risk of mastitis can be reduced by frequent, complete emptying of the breast and by optimizing your breastfeeding technique. Kelly Mom offers some other supportive measures. A mild case may go away without any treatment. However, infectious mastitis treatment is typically treated with an antibiotic, so talk to your healthcare professional about what the best course of treatment is for you.   

If you are donating milk to a milk bank, you should inform the milk bank if you do get mastitis and if you are on medications to treat your mastitis. Don’t give up on nursing if you develop mastitis or a clogged milk duct. When you are in pain, the last thing you may feel like doing is nursing, but it will help. Pay attention to your body and heed the warning signs so you can enjoy the intimacy, benefits, and pleasure of breastfeeding your baby.

• Keep the affected breast as empty as possible, but at the same time, don’t neglect the other breast.
• If you are unable to breastfeed, try to express milk frequently and thoroughly using your hand or a pump.
• Before nursing, use heat and gentle massage. Also, loosen your bra or any constrictive clothing to aid milk flow.
• Nurse on the affected breast first. If it hurts too much, switch to the other one.
• Use the position most comfortable to you and your baby, and ensure there is a good latch.
• Massage gently but firmly from the plugged area toward the nipple.
• Try nursing while leaning over your little one so that gravity aids in dislodging the plug.
• Pump or hand express to aid milk drainage and healing.
• Use cold compresses between feedings for pain and inflammation.