Nursing & Breast Infection

A breast infection, mastitis, can be a very painful occurrence while breastfeeding. Continuing to nurse your baby, resting and drinking often are key to resolving your infection quickly. While mastitis is most common in the early weeks of breastfeeding or upon sudden weaning, it can occur at any time and should be treated immediately to prevent a severe infection from forming. Seek medical care as soon as possible to ensure you receive the best treatment for your infection.

Causes

Mastitis can be caused by a variety of things. When milk is not adequately drained from the breast--from skipped feedings or a bad latch--the ducts can become backed up and plugged with the excess milk. This can also happen from pressure on the ducts from tight clothing or your sleeping position. Bad latches that have resulted in cracked or bleeding nipples act as a point of entry for the infection which can sometimes be found in your baby's mouth or from a hospital stay. Also, weakened immunity or fatigue puts you at a higher risk of infection.

Symptoms

Noticing a hard wedge-shaped area on your breast that is accompanied by tenderness, heat and redness is the first sign of a potential breast infection. Those symptoms alone may just be a plugged duct, but if you experience a persistent high fever (101.5 degrees F or greater), flu-like symptoms such as the chills and body aches, or red streaking on your breast, you likely have mastitis. Your symptoms should be diagnosed by a doctor to ensure you receive the best course of treatment.

Treatment

Adequate rest and fluid intake are the first things to address when you experience a breast infection. You should also breastfeed your baby as often as possible, aiming for every two hours, to empty your breasts thoroughly. Your baby is most effective at draining your milk, so only pump if absolutely necessary. You will likely notice an increase in pain at the beginning of breastfeeding and through let down when you nurse on the affected side, but you will also feel less pain upon completion. Before you nurse, utilize warm compresses and gentle massage. A hot shower or bath while gently stroking the affected area with a wide tooth comb can be beneficial in releasing the milk more effectively.

Medication

Over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen can be taken to help manage the discomfort you are experiencing. The two most common antibiotics prescribed from mastitis are cephalexin and dicloxacillin; both are perfectly safe to take while breastfeeding your baby. If you are prescribed antibiotics, be sure to complete the course of treatment entirely to be sure that the infection does not relapse. Also, you might want to consider taking over-the-counter probiotics to help reduce the chance of thrush which can be triggered by antibiotics.

Prevention

While some women are more susceptible to mastitis than others, there are measures you can take to help prevent the infection from occurring. Making sure that your baby has a good latch, which sufficiently drains your breasts and prevents cracked and bleeding nipples, is key. Nursing on demand whenever baby is hungry is also important in establishing a milk supply that matches your baby's needs. Avoid scheduling feedings, and nurse equally from both breasts. Stay hydrated by drinking at least eight glasses of water a day as well. And as always, practice good hygiene by washing your hands before and after nursing and diaper changes.