Mastitis

What Is Mastitis?

Mastitis is an infection that many women get while breastfeeding. It is caused by engorgement of the breast. Engorgement is caused when you leave milk in your breasts either by not emptying them during feedings or by missing feedings. You will notice that your breast has a tender, reddened area or that your whole breast is tender and red. The infection is usually very painful.

Other signs of this condition include:

• Chills and fever over 101 degrees
• Flu-like symptoms
• Extreme fatigue
• Headaches
• Possible nausea and vomiting.

Prevention

Sometimes you can’t prevent infection in your breasts. However, there are tips that can help reduce your risk of developing mastitis.

• Empty your breasts to prevent engorgement. Breastfeed your baby or pump if you can’t nurse. Milk that remains in the breasts becomes thicker and clogs the ducts, providing a perfect place for bacteria to breed. However, you should use caution if you decide to feed your baby and then pump to make sure your breasts are empty. Since a woman’s body produces breastmilk on demand, if you feed your baby and then pump, you’re increasing demand. If you’re not careful, you’ll end up on a cycle of producing too much milk. This will increase the risk of engorgement.
• Make sure your baby is latched on correctly. Breastfeeding may be uncomfortable in the beginning, but it shouldn’t be painful. Ask for help from a lactation consultant or your pediatrician if you’re having problems with cracked or bleeding nipples.
• Breastfeed frequently. Nurse every two or three hours in the beginning or whenever you feel your baby is hungry.
• Try not to limit the amount of time your baby is on the breast. Your baby will tell you when he/she has had enough to eat.
• If your breasts feel full, feed your baby.
• Avoid sleeping on your stomach or side to prevent your breasts from being compressed against the mattress.
• Take care of yourself! Make sure you drink at least eight glasses of fluid each day. Breastfeeding mothers should be taking in 2,700 calories per day—a noticeable increase from your pregnancy diet. You should also be getting as much rest as possible to keep up your milk supply.

Treatment

Call your care provider if you notice any of the above symptoms. He/she may prescribe antibiotics. Remember that if you take antibiotics you may get a thrush infection.

Helpful home tips include:

• Apply a warm, wet compress over your breast. Some experts recommend alternating warm and cold compresses.
• Take ibuprofen or acetaminophen (Tylenol). These pain killers will not affect your breast milk and will help you manage the pain and inflammation.
• Avoid constricting bras and clothing.
• Massage the affected area to increase circulation and help loosen any plugged milk ducts. You can try massaging the breast while in a warm shower or while applying a warm compress.
• Empty the affected breast either by nursing or pumping. The milk you produce with mastitis will not hurt your baby. If you can, try different breastfeeding positions to make sure all the milk ducts are getting emptied.
• Make sure you get plenty of rest. Ask for help with household chores. If you are working outside the home, try to take some time off of work until you recover.
• Drink at least eight glasses of water and eat nutritiously.

What if I Keep Getting Infections?

The risk of mastitis is increased by engorgement, which is often caused by missed feedings or skipped pumping sessions. Repeated infections may also happen if your immune system is compromised. If you are stressed, run down, eating poorly, not drinking enough fluids, or not getting enough rest, you’re a prime candidate for mastitis.