Mending Mastitis
You are nursing your newborn baby. There are times when your breast feels sore and you have a rash. You notice small lumps on your breast as well. Could you have mastitis?
Mastitis is an inflammation of breast tissue that sometimes involves infection, according to the World Health Organization. It is associated with lactation, referred to as lactational mastitis or puerperal mastitis.
Breast abscess, a localized collection of pus within the breast, may be a serious complication of a severe form of mastitis. Mastitis and breast abscess can occur in all populations, regardless if breastfeeding is the norm.
Many times mastitis is caused by stagnation of milk within the breast due to the inefficient removal of milk (milk stasis). This may be due to engorged breasts which occurs after delivery. Add to that ineffective suckling of the infant and that spells disaster for your breasts with blocked milk ducts. Another cause of mastitis is bacteria around the breast area. Mainly it is milk trapped in the breast.
Some common symptoms of mastitis are breast swelling, thickening of breast tissue or a breast lump, breast tenderness or warmth to the touch, persistent pain or a burning sensation especially when breastfeeding, redness of skin in a wedge-shaped pattern, and fever of 101 F (38.3 C) or greater.
Mastitis is common in the second and third week postpartum with reports indicating that 74 percent to 94 percent of cases occur during the first 12 weeks. However, it may occur at any stage of lactation even as late as two years after giving birth.
Approximately one in six women is likely to experience one or more episodes of mastitis while breastfeeding. Some other factors that may weigh in regards to developing mastitis are a short frenulum (tongue tie) in the infant and pacifier usage that makes attachment to the nipple difficult, which may result in poor breastfeeding. Tight clothing and a prone sleep position are other factors that end with mastitis.
Mastitis that isn’t adequately treated or is due to a blocked duct can cause pus to develop in the breast (abscess). There are things you can do to recover from mastitis such as for pain, apply warm heat for 10-15 minutes and check fever frequently (if you have one) and if the fever continues for more than 24 hours, go to see your doctor. You should also rest up and get up only when you need to (like to check the baby) and use the infected breast, even if it has discharge so your breast can be emptied of milk.
Mastitis can occur in women who aren’t breastfeeding and men too. To prevent mastitis, you should drain all the milk from your breast. If feeding twins, triplets, or tandem feeding, ensure that you change your breast after each feeding, for more thorough emptying of the breasts. Do not miss feedings. Don’t replace feeds with formula unless directed to do so by your doctor. Don’t wear an underwire bra or one that is too tight that will place unequal pressure on your breasts, enabling pockets of milk to get trapped. Drink enough fluids throughout the day. Wear loose clothes and change your bra if milk leaks inside of it.
Most of all, practice self-care and don’t blame yourself regarding this condition. Blessedly, it’s not life-threatening. You can still feed your baby by breastfeeding. You are still a good parent regardless if you feed by formula or mother’s milk.
