How to Breastfeed While You Have Mastitis

If you're a breastfeeding mom, chances are somewhere down the line you're going to get mastitis. Mastitis is an infection of the breast, usually caused by some germ that gets in your baby's mouth and transfers to you while nursing. Symptoms can include a fever, chills, swollen and painful breast, engorgement and redness. Nursing on the affected breast can be painful and is not something a woman looks forward to! But it's necessary to try and keep the milk flowing and to relieve the pressure on the sore breast. Here are some tips to help you survive these painful nursing sessions and help make them a little bit easier.

Instructions

1

Nurse the engorged breast first. The baby's suction power will help unclog the breast and get the milk drained, easing the pressure. If the breast isn't engorged, nurse on the healthy breast first to make it less painful for you.

2

Try using hot and/or cold compresses on the breast to ease the pain before and after nursing. A hot bath can be helpful, too.

3

Take Ibuprofin or Tylenol to bring down swelling and ease pain.

4

Massage the breast while breastfeeding to help loosen the milk from the clogged areas.

5

Try to take a deep breath when the baby latches on, or sing a little bit, loudly. It helps take your mind off that initial suction pain!