So Doper ladies - ever had mastitis? Any tips?
I’ve been to the Dr, got the Rx, and she’s advised to used Advil and warm compresses.
Any other tips? I currently have pain radiating through my back, in my arm pit, down my rib cage and of course in my boob.
It, uh, sucks. Any tips welcome.
The only other suggestion I have is to nurse on that side as much as you can. Vary the positions as much as possible, too - if there is still a clogged duct that needs to be cleared, you want to move things around until the baby can clear it for you.
Yeah, give it a few hours, those antibiotics will work fast.
But I have sympathy. I remember. Just remember, you went through labor, you’ll get through this.
Poor Alice! Hugs. Yes, always start on that side. I remember the nurse telling me to take vitamin C with my first bout; I don’t know if it helped or not, but I took it faithfully whenever I got the big M.
Rest as much as you can, too. My sympathies. That toe-curling agony when the little dear first latches on is something I certainly will never forget.
Nursing on that side will help, and after the pain lessens, you might try letting the warm/hot shower run on it and massaging a bit, just firmly sliding your fingers from chest wall to nipple. That helped me with the clogged duct I had. Keep in mind, though, that mine never got as far as mastitis (thank goodness), so take this for what it’s worth.
I had several bouts of mastitis, which I didn’t enjoy nearly as much as one might think. In addition to the excellent advice above, I can only add that it was like clockwork – if I got overly upset, within two days I’d feel my temperature shoot up and the tenderness begin. Make sure you take care of yourself physically and emotionally. Get as much rest as you possibly can (gee, that’s easy advice to give a nursing mother) and stay as calm as you can manage.
This will pass! And quickly, I hope.
I only got clogged ducts not mastitis, but as others have said nurse on that side first (the baby’s sucking is strongest initially, and it helps to empty quicker), and try cradle and football holds. I think I read that where the baby’s chin is is where they are sucking the most from, so try to position him this way. And I seriously found cabbage leaves were fantastic when I was hot, sore and engorged - incredibly calming, and perfectly shaped to fit into a bra.
Aren’t cabbage leaves supposed to reduce supply and help with engorgement? I wouldn’t try them if she has her supply and demand regulated.
Huh - well I’m please to report that the 3 doses of keflex I’ve taken so far seem to be helping - lefty is much less painful this am. 
I wonder why putting a cabbage leaf on your boob would affect supply?
See. Hurts like hell, but antibiotics are wonderful…
I’m so glad you’re starting to feel better. One thing I didn’t see mentioned in a quick read of the thread was to drink a lot. The standard advice for mastitis, in addition to antibiotics if they’re needed, is drink drink drink, rest rest rest, and nurse nurse nurse.
If it happens again, look into possible causes. Anything from shallow latch to an underwire bra or even heavy purse strap can trigger mastitis.
Take care, and let everything else slide till you’re better!
Ouchies, and yes, make sure that boob gets emptied as often and as thoroughly as possible. If you’ve got a good pump, you might even want to use that after feeding to make sure things are cleared out.
Hot compresses might feel really nice. Also painkillers as appropriate; I know Tylenol is OK, ibuprofen might be OK as well and might work better. I don’t know if that’s OK while nursing however (though I remember they gave me Aleve while in the hospital so I’d bet it is).
Not sure, but it’s a folk remedy for engorgement. A friend tried it when she had to suddenly stop lactating (won’t go into reasons here).
The first time I saw the title of the thread I thought I saw “teething and mastiffs”. Yeowch would be correct for that.
Cabbage leaves don’t really affect the supply, they’re just (as Girl From Mars points out) perfectly shaped to cradle the breast. They ARE the warm compress, in other words. And for a peasant 300 years ago, easier to come by than clean soft cloth and water.
They soothe no matter what the source of the pain, so if you’re engorged and want to stop making milk, you can use them to soothe the pain of engorgement. The not stimulating the nipples is what dries up the milk, not the cabbage leaves.
Dr. Thomas Hale has called ibuprofen “the ideal pain reliever for breastfeeding mothers” or something along those lines. So Tylenol or Motrin (or whatever ibuprofen product) is considered pretty safe. Aleve (naproxen sodium) is less safe, IIRC. I can look it up in Hale’s latest book if you’re interested. Let me know.
Nitpick: Tylenol is actually acetaminophen as opposed to ibuprofen. I have been taking Advil and I think it’s helping somewhat.
This is what happens when I try to post while I’m half dead from strep. I meant to say that it’s well known that Tylenol (acetaminophen) is pretty safe while nursing, and Hale says ibuprofen is great for nursing moms too, so whichever works for you, go for it.
I’m glad you’re getting better - clearly your brain is working better than mine!
Just a note to let you know I feel your pain - in a very literal sense although for different reasons.
Yesterday I was walking home in the heat (thinking only of a nice cool bath when I got there). I was crossing the road 3 houses from home when I tripped on some grass growing in a pothole. I hit the footpath with full force on lefty, one wrist and my knees. Cue cars screeching to a halt to help me, ambulance, hospital, xrays etc… No broken bones but I am badly bruised and my left boob is significantly swollen (hurty hurty hurty).