When breastfeeding hurts...
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Mastitis
Of all of the preventable breastfeeding complications, mastitis is likely the least favorite of most mothers who have experienced it. It is a bacterial breast infection of the breast which mothers can and mothers can aquire in a number of ways. Although it usually starts with a plugged milk duct, a cracked and bleeding nipple from a poor latch can also be a doorway for infection. The key to helping prevent mastitis is ensuring that your baby has a good latch, your pump flange fits well, and that anything that touches your breast is clean (not necessarily sterile), this includes nipple shields, bras, pump parts, and a commonly undiscussed culprint (especially for prenatal mastitis): your partner's hands and mouth.
Mastitis usually begins as a sharp or dull pain in a specific part of the breast. If it is near the breast's surface, reddening of the skin is usually seen. If the infection is deeper in the breast sometimes pain is the only initial symptom. If the infected area is not drained properly an infant's strong suck or by a pump, it can very quickly go from pain to swelling to flu-like symptoms of fever, chills and a malaise. When a mother suspects a plugged duct, it is best for her to nurse her baby on the affected side first, so that the baby's most vigorous sucks help empty the breast. Changing the baby's position helps ensure that suction is distributed to all milk ducts. Moms who pump or hand express may see the milk plug or infection in their expressed milk (hand expressing into a mirror can be helpful because coagulated-or clumped-milk will stick to the mirror to help a mother confirm she has unplugged the affected area). Milk from a breast affected breast is usually safe for a mother to continue giving to her baby (remember, although the milk may be infected, it is also protected by specific antibodies, however, mother's who get mastitis while pumping for very preterm/premature infants may want to discuss their infection with their baby's doctor). Some moms find that placing warm compresses over the affected area will help relax the milk ducts and loosen the plug or infection.
Treatment Options
Addressing a poor latch and using good hand-hygenie are the two most preventative measures mothers can take to prevent mastitis. Once a plug or infection has formed, attempting to nurse or plug the infection out is the first step, but there are other ways to treat mastitis or plugged ducts if it continues to develop.
The most common medical treatment for mastitis in the United States is antibiotics. Antibiotics, though usually effective for mastitis, can impact the body's chemistry and lead to an over-population of yeast in the mother's gut, which can lead to a vaginal or breast yeast infection (thrush). Alternative therapies such as the use of the antioxidant grapeseed oil or extract, (not grapefruit seed oil or extract), immunity boosters such as high doses of Vitamin C and echinacea use, and probiotics can be effective ways of managing and eliminating a mastitis infection. In fact, this reseach article discusses the important role of probiotics in protecting the breast from mastitis. Natural treatments are not without their side-effects and drug-interactions. All supplements and medications should be research and discussed with healthcare providers who know your wellness history.
Mastitis usually begins as a sharp or dull pain in a specific part of the breast. If it is near the breast's surface, reddening of the skin is usually seen. If the infection is deeper in the breast sometimes pain is the only initial symptom. If the infected area is not drained properly an infant's strong suck or by a pump, it can very quickly go from pain to swelling to flu-like symptoms of fever, chills and a malaise. When a mother suspects a plugged duct, it is best for her to nurse her baby on the affected side first, so that the baby's most vigorous sucks help empty the breast. Changing the baby's position helps ensure that suction is distributed to all milk ducts. Moms who pump or hand express may see the milk plug or infection in their expressed milk (hand expressing into a mirror can be helpful because coagulated-or clumped-milk will stick to the mirror to help a mother confirm she has unplugged the affected area). Milk from a breast affected breast is usually safe for a mother to continue giving to her baby (remember, although the milk may be infected, it is also protected by specific antibodies, however, mother's who get mastitis while pumping for very preterm/premature infants may want to discuss their infection with their baby's doctor). Some moms find that placing warm compresses over the affected area will help relax the milk ducts and loosen the plug or infection.
Treatment Options
Addressing a poor latch and using good hand-hygenie are the two most preventative measures mothers can take to prevent mastitis. Once a plug or infection has formed, attempting to nurse or plug the infection out is the first step, but there are other ways to treat mastitis or plugged ducts if it continues to develop.
The most common medical treatment for mastitis in the United States is antibiotics. Antibiotics, though usually effective for mastitis, can impact the body's chemistry and lead to an over-population of yeast in the mother's gut, which can lead to a vaginal or breast yeast infection (thrush). Alternative therapies such as the use of the antioxidant grapeseed oil or extract, (not grapefruit seed oil or extract), immunity boosters such as high doses of Vitamin C and echinacea use, and probiotics can be effective ways of managing and eliminating a mastitis infection. In fact, this reseach article discusses the important role of probiotics in protecting the breast from mastitis. Natural treatments are not without their side-effects and drug-interactions. All supplements and medications should be research and discussed with healthcare providers who know your wellness history.
