Mastitis is the inflammation of breast tissue. It may be the result of milk flow obstruction (blocked milk duct), bacterial infection (most often S. aureus) or non-infectious inflammation. Mastitis is most commonly seen within the first 2-12 weeks post-partum and can be a real bear!! If you are experiencing a low-grade fever with a painful reddened area of the breast, you might try very warm compresses (or a shower) with gentle massage of the affected area during and in-between frequent breastfeedings. Nurse your baby in different positions so that he uniformly empties the breast. Be sure to drink lots of fluids and get plenty of rest. You might also try an over-the-counter NSAID (like ibuprofen) to reduce inflammation and pain. Follow the old breastfeeding adage… “Heat, Rest, Empty Breast” and hopefully things will resolve.
If there is no improvement within about 24 hours or if you experience flu-like symptoms (body aches, chills, nausea) and a persistent or abrupt rise in body temperature, you should call your healthcare provider for further direction (usually a 10-14 day course of antibiotics). It is not uncommon to feel as though you’ve been run over by a truck! Although you may feel rotten, breastfeeding should be continued! Nurse baby on the affected breast first and use heat with gentle massage intermittently during the feed to encourage milk flow and ejection. If baby refuses to feed on the affected breast, you may have to empty it by manual expression or with a gentle breast pump. In any case, the breast must be emptied. Please remember that we (lactation consultants) are here to answer questions. If you find that you are having recurrent episodes of mastitis, please arrange for a thorough lactation evaluation.
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