I recently started my baby on solids and have since become engorged. I went to the doctors today who prescribed me some antibiotics... My breast is really sore and I have fllu - like symptoms. What can I do to feel better and prevent this from happening again??
Hi I can feel your pain. I got mastitis in my right breast when my baby could not feed on her left hand side. I had to keep using the breast pump to keep my milk flowing. Massage is good, gently rub the infected area, try placing a warm face cloth over the area and if your nipples are cracked and dry the best thing to rub on is your own breast milk. Cabbage leaves places in your bra also seem to absorb a lot of the heat when they are inflammed. Good luck
i do sympathiise with you i had 2 bouts of it.hot showers and as much as it hurts massage the lumps away,i'm sure u've been told this!feel your brests each day and if you notice any new lumps into the shower just carry on with what you are doing and like some one else has said express alittle to ease the hugeness!!good luck u will feel better in 2 -3 days after the anti biotics kick in!
Ow - oh you poor thing.
The best thing to do is to massage as you have already been told. You should be able to feel the lump and to use circular motions towards the nipple.
Also to ensure that you dont get it again, dont let your breasts become to engorged, express a little till you are comfortable (not too much or it will keep up your supply) and also you must ensure that your baby drains the whole breast during feeding, so expressing after a feed may also be necissary.
Good luck, and remember you make as much as you need so your boobs should adjust soon enough and stop feeling overfull.
Massage. I've had mastitis a few times now (way too much milk being my problem) and I was told to get into a hot shower and massage the blocked milk ducts. It hurts a lot, but it clears up a lot quicker. And to prevent it just have a quick massage every time you are in the shower, so if there is a blocked duct you can get rid of it brfore it gets infected! Hope you feel better soon.
Sounds painful it will take a few days for the antibotics to kick in and until then I also have heard that the cold gabbage patch leaves works wonders....worth a try.
Rest, rest and rest some more, take your baby to bed if you can. If your milk ducts are blocked express if you can. Use a heat pack or warm facewasher on your breast before a feed and then a cold pack after a feed to reduce swelling. Massage gently in a downwards motion, this is best done in the shower - lathering your hands up with soap will make it easier, out of the shower you could use moisturiser. Feed bub often from that side but don't neglect the other breast altogether. Feeding in a different position might also help to unblock the ducts...Make sure you take the full course of antibiotics and if you still have any symptoms go back to your GP and get another prescription. Hope you feel better soon, i know just what it's like.
Any contributed content above is the subjective opinion of that member or external author, and not of Minti.com Pty Ltd. If you are searching for health related advice we strongly suggest you seek professional medical support. View our Terms of Service for more details.
