Signs of mastitis are:
- Redness
- Tender spot in your breast
- Flu like symptoms
- Fever, above 100.4° Fahrenheit
There are new recommendations from the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine. Below are ways to care for mastitis.
Milk expression
- Breastfeed on demand or pump at a frequency that mimics baby feeding.
- Do not pump or stimulate your breast more often.
- Breastfeed from the opposite breast first to let the affected side to heal.
- If your breasts feel full after feeding, you can hand express until your are comfortable.
Wear a supportive bra that is not too tight
- Do not wear underwire bras.
Reduce inflammation
- Put ice packs on breasts. Use them for 10 minutes each hour. This can help lessen inflammation and swelling.
- Do not put ice on your skin.
- Use Earth Mama Booby Tubes® or other products kept in your freezer. These may be helpful.
- You may have a drop in your milk supply. This often gets better with time. If not, call a lactation consultant for help.
- Do not do deep massage of your breast.
- Use gentle, light touch massage. Start at your nipple and go back toward your body. This should be like petting a cat.
- A helpful handout from Physician Guide to Breast Feeding PDF
- Take NSAID's, such as ibuprofen. Follow the directions on the bottle.
- Take sunflower or soy lecithin 1200 mg 3 or 4 times each day. This helps with clogged ducts.
- This is an over-the-counter supplement. Buy it at most drug and grocery stores.
- If you do not want to take the capsules, take 5 grams of powder lecithin. Use it 1 time each day. This can be put in a smoothie.
If you are given antibiotics for mastitis, take all of them. Do not stop taking them when you start feeling better. Call your provider if you do not start feeling better within 24 hours after starting antibiotics.