La Breastfeeding it is a fabulous experience. Holding your baby in your arms feeding on you produces a feeling that is difficult to explain. Although not everything is so wonderful. In fact, personally, if there is something that I remember with real pain (and horror) it is, on the one hand, the rise of the milk (especially the first time) and, on the other, the first mastitis What happened to the first one, around his first birthday. Then I had another, but I caught it in time, I could almost say that it did not become one.
Mastitis is an infection of the breast tissues that causes pain, fever, inflammation and which leads to further complications. Many women can suffer from mastitis in early lactation due to accumulation of milk. In other cases, when breastfeeding is prolonged, the sucking force of the baby (including its bites) also plays an important role in the development of mastitis. Mastistis can also be the result of a bacterial infection. Next, I will briefly tell you what to do if you suffer from mastitis, how to identify the first symptoms and how to prevent it. But please don't stop going to the doctor. As I was saying, mastitis can be very complicated.
What is mastitis?
La mastitis is a common problem caused by a infection of breast tissues that causes a painful inflammation in one or both breasts that can happen, mainly, by two causes:
- For blocked milk ductEither because the breast has not been emptied enough or it is spent a long time without breastfeeding the baby or emptying the breast, and also because of the pressure caused on the caudate breast, tight clothing, sleeping on the stomach, pressure from the baby when breastfeeding, etc.
- Bacteria that accumulate in the cracks of the nipple, which can be caused by poor attachment of the baby or by injuries
Before reading on, I have to clarify a question: mastitis is not dangerous for the baby and you do not have to stop breastfeeding unless your doctor prescribes antibiotics. I explain everything in detail below.
Mastitis symptoms
Mastitis can appear at any time during breastfeeding, although the first few weeks are a very risky time. In addition, mastitis can affect one or both breast, and can also appear when we stop breastfeeding or even later.
Identifying the first signs of mastitis is essential to take action and not go further, in addition to going to the doctor. Antibiotic treatments are effective in these cases and in most cases it is not necessary to interrupt breastfeeding (although the breast does have to be emptied).
The mastitis symptoms are the following_
- Tenderness in parts of the breast
- Elevated temperature in the affected breast (touching it feels warmer than the rest of your body)
- Swelling of the chest
- Pain or burning sensation, especially when you breastfeed
- Redness of the skin
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Flu-like discomfort
- Nausea
Mastitis treatment
Mastitis is a condition that needs medical attention. In addition to the antibiotic treatment that your doctor may prescribe, there are some steps you can take to promote and speed up the healing process.
The first is improve breastfeeding position. Even if it hurts (breastfeeding with mastitis hurts a lot, but you have to do it), you should position yourself in a way that encourages the release of milk. Check with your doctor or midwife. Depending on the age of the baby, some postures can be very useful.
Also, in case of mastitis, do not stop breastfeeding the baby. Mastitis does not present any risk to him. If your doctor prescribes antibiotics, ask about it, because you probably won't be able to breastfeed for the duration of treatment. In case he recommends you not to breastfeed the baby, you should empty the breast of milk. And if the baby does not empty the breast completely, complete the emptying with the pump. If you can breastfeed the baby, breastfeed frequently so that too much milk does not accumulate, starting from the affected breast.
Before you breastfeed or express your milk, make yourself chest massage and apply moist heat to open the ducts of the mammary gland. Cold compresses can help relieve pain while you are not breastfeeding.. Don't forget to rest as much as you can and drink plenty of water to replace lost fluids.
In addition, although the doctor has not considered it appropriate to prescribe antibiotics, there are some medications you can take for painr, but you should consult him before taking them.
How to prevent mastitis
The following tips they will be very useful for prevent mastitis:
- Make sure your baby latches on well to your nipple. The baby should open his mouth wide before clinging to your breast to cover the entire nipple with it and most of your areola and his lips open outwards.
- Change positions while breastfeeding to help your baby fully empty the breast.
- Wear a bra that doesn't put too much pressure on your chest.
- Avoid overfilling your breasts. If you cannot breastfeed or the baby is not hungry, express your milk with a pump.
- Change the nursing pads frequently so that your nipples are not exposed to constant humidity and thus avoid creating a friendly environment for the growth of bacteria.
- Whenever you can, let your nipples air dry after feeding, especially if you have cracks.
- Massage your breasts where you notice lumps due to accumulation of milk so that it does not obstruct the duct. Do this while breastfeeding and taking a hot shower.