How to Treat Mastitis
Continue to breastfeed your baby even if Mastitis is present., Gently massage the breast before nursing and apply warmth to the breast., Focus on the affected breast when Mastitis is present rather than sticking to the rotating breast schedule...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Continue to breastfeed your baby even if Mastitis is present.
Some mothers mistakenly believe that they can pass the infection onto their baby via milk, so they try to limit nursing.
Fortunately, the infection is not passed on to the baby and nursing should continue.
In fact, you should try to nurse more often than usual to assist in emptying the problem breast as much as possible. , This will aid in increased milk flow.
Place warm compresses on the affected area.
Use warm, damp washcloths or a heating pad if necessary.
Try standing under the warm water stream in the shower, directing the water to the affected area as best as possible.
Adjust the temperature to be as hot as you can stand it. , Allow baby to start on the unaffected breast for a minute or two just to get the milk flowing to the breasts.
Switch your baby over to the breast with Mastitis.
Allow baby to empty the breast as much as possible before switching back to the healthy breast.
Do this for every feeding until the Mastitis is gone, then switch back to alternating breasts as normal. , This will relieve some of the hardness in the affected area and make it easier for baby to latch on. , The flavor of breast milk can be slightly changed due to the infection and baby may not want to nurse from it. , Your body is trying to fight an infection.
Allow it to do so.
Nap with baby as often as possible. , Find ways to relax when not sleeping.
Read a book.
Watch a favorite television show or a movie.
Call a friend.
Take a stroll. , Add vitamin supplements if you are not already taking them on a daily basis.
These can help speed your recovery and lessen the severity of your symptoms. , This will help bring down painful inflammation. ,, Garlic acts as a natural antibiotic and can speed healing. , This is known to aid in the body’s ability to fight infection. , Orange juice, citrus fruits, green peppers and broccoli are excellent immune system boosters. , If your fever continues to rise or you feel worse as time goes on, chances are you will need an antibiotic treatment. -
Step 2: Gently massage the breast before nursing and apply warmth to the breast.
,, You may require a different medication or further assistance to rectify the situation. , If this happens, your health care provider will have to drain the abscess or remove it surgically. , The healing process takes approximately one week.
Rarely, women are advised to stop breastfeeding all together due to complications. -
Step 3: Focus on the affected breast when Mastitis is present rather than sticking to the rotating breast schedule.
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Step 4: Pump the affected breast slightly before beginning to nurse.
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Step 5: Express some breast milk with your hand or pump with a machine if your baby refuses the breast or will not empty it.
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Step 6: Get plenty of rest.
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Step 7: Avoid stress as much as possible.
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Step 8: Eat nutritional foods and increase your fluid intake.
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Step 9: Apply cold compresses to the breast.
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Step 10: Insert a raw cabbage leaf into your bra to aid in soothing the tender breast and assist in unclogging the duct.
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Step 11: Eat raw garlic several times a day if it does not upset your baby’s tummy.
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Step 12: Speak to your health care provider about taking Echinacea.
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Step 13: Add extra vitamin C to your diet if your baby is not bothered by acids.
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Step 14: Visit with your health care provider to determine if an antibiotic is necessary.
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Step 15: Continue to take your antibiotics even if you are feeling better
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Step 16: otherwise
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Step 17: the Mastitis may return.
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Step 18: Take pain relievers that are safe during breastfeeding as specified by your health care provider.
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Step 19: Contact your health care provider if you fail to see any improvement after a few days
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Step 20: or if the discomfort and symptoms worsen.
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Step 21: Understand that if you cannot bring the infection under control
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Step 22: there is the possibility that the infection can lead to an abscess in the breast.
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Step 23: Speak to your doctor about continuing to nurse during the healing process if you had a procedure done.
Detailed Guide
Some mothers mistakenly believe that they can pass the infection onto their baby via milk, so they try to limit nursing.
Fortunately, the infection is not passed on to the baby and nursing should continue.
In fact, you should try to nurse more often than usual to assist in emptying the problem breast as much as possible. , This will aid in increased milk flow.
Place warm compresses on the affected area.
Use warm, damp washcloths or a heating pad if necessary.
Try standing under the warm water stream in the shower, directing the water to the affected area as best as possible.
Adjust the temperature to be as hot as you can stand it. , Allow baby to start on the unaffected breast for a minute or two just to get the milk flowing to the breasts.
Switch your baby over to the breast with Mastitis.
Allow baby to empty the breast as much as possible before switching back to the healthy breast.
Do this for every feeding until the Mastitis is gone, then switch back to alternating breasts as normal. , This will relieve some of the hardness in the affected area and make it easier for baby to latch on. , The flavor of breast milk can be slightly changed due to the infection and baby may not want to nurse from it. , Your body is trying to fight an infection.
Allow it to do so.
Nap with baby as often as possible. , Find ways to relax when not sleeping.
Read a book.
Watch a favorite television show or a movie.
Call a friend.
Take a stroll. , Add vitamin supplements if you are not already taking them on a daily basis.
These can help speed your recovery and lessen the severity of your symptoms. , This will help bring down painful inflammation. ,, Garlic acts as a natural antibiotic and can speed healing. , This is known to aid in the body’s ability to fight infection. , Orange juice, citrus fruits, green peppers and broccoli are excellent immune system boosters. , If your fever continues to rise or you feel worse as time goes on, chances are you will need an antibiotic treatment.
,, You may require a different medication or further assistance to rectify the situation. , If this happens, your health care provider will have to drain the abscess or remove it surgically. , The healing process takes approximately one week.
Rarely, women are advised to stop breastfeeding all together due to complications.
About the Author
John Edwards
Specializes in breaking down complex pet care topics into simple steps.
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