Mastitis?!?!?

[princezjk]

After 6 months of EPing, lefty went and developed mastitis. Aside from the pain and swelling and general feeling of ick, my supply has taken a serious nose dive. Fitting pumps in was getting harder and harder being back at work and as L gets older and more active. So, I knew the end was near. But talk about going out with a bang! Anyone else ever deal with this? Any tips?

[docamy]

I was one of the "lucky" ones and got mastitis twice and clogged duct...oh lets see......I lost count the number of times! My problem ended up being because DS had a lip tie and now that that's fixed I don't seem to have anymore issues. When I got mastitis (I work nights and weekends) I was able to let Eli fix the issues. Basically I did warm compresses whenever I thought about it and let him nurse that side more often. After he would nurse I would also try to pump but pumping sucks so I didn't always do it. I also took warm showers and made sure to let the water run over it. I also felt like when he cried for me that seemed to help loosen things up. Not that I let him cry but I remember feeling when it happened that it seemed to help.


My supply also took a nose dive. I went from around 5 ounces on the affected side to around 2 oz. It did get better, it just took time. There's some supplements you can try if your willing to continue. Let me know if you have anymore questions. Unfortunately I've been there and done that so many times I feel like a pro! In the beginning I used to get all freaked out but with the last clogged duct, I was all like "here we go again!". So not funny.....but kinda funny! LOL!

Edit: divided my novel into paragraphs

[pamcakes]

I never got mastitis, but I used to go to a breastfeeding support group every week when B was a nb for my low supply. One of my friends also came, who had twins and was constantly getting mastitis. I remember the group leader telling her to try taking lethicin, which I think you can get at the drug store in the vitamin/supplement isle. It helps to thin out the clogs and get them moving. I don't remember the dosing though, maybe Dr. Google can help? Advil and tylenol are also safe to rotate while breastfeeding. And massage those boobies in a hot shower with a comb! Good luck and I hope it clears up soon.

ETA: To help increase supply, you can try fenugreek and blessed thistle pills and/or mothers milk tea. Stay hydtrated and eat lots of healthy fat, taking an omega 3 supllement won't hurt either.

[princezjk]

Thanks docamy! I've had a few clogged ducts, but this is the first time it escalated to full on mastitis. My goal was make it to 6 months and see what happens. Note - did not want to see mastitis happen! I took fenugreek early on, but stopped when L developed a splotchy redness on his chest. Still not sure if it was related, but bit willing to find out. I am keeping up my pumping and hope the supply comes back a little. Thanks again for sharing!

[princezjk]

Thank you, pamcakes, I will check out the lethicin.

[bootsorhearts]

Congrats on making it 6 months that is a huge accomplishment! I had mastitis twice while EPing but luckily it didn't affect my supply. I just took ibuprofen for the icky feeling/fever and it cleared up on its own.

[birch113]

Feb 3, 2015 10:58:08 GMT -5 pamcakes said:

I never got mastitis, but I used to go to a breastfeeding support group every week when B was a nb for my low supply. One of my friends also came, who had twins and was constantly getting mastitis. I remember the group leader telling her to try taking lethicin, which I think you can get at the drug store in the vitamin/supplement isle. It helps to thin out the clogs and get them moving. I don't remember the dosing though, maybe Dr. Google can help? Advil and tylenol are also safe to rotate while breastfeeding. And massage those boobies in a hot shower with a comb! Good luck and I hope it clears up soon.

ETA: To help increase supply, you can try fenugreek and blessed thistle pills and/or mothers milk tea. Stay hydtrated and eat lots of healthy fat, taking an omega 3 supllement won't hurt either.

I EP and get plugged ducts like its my job. I just read a few nights ago that the dose for Lecithin is 3600-4800 (1 capsule 3-4x/day). No experience with mastitis, you poor thing! Congrats on making it 6 months. That's awesome!