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As wonderful and fulfilling an experience as breastfeeding can be for both mother and baby, things may not always go according to plan, and related health concerns can crop up from time to time. One particularly common breastfeeding ailment is mastitis.
Studies show as many as 2 out of 10 breastfeeding moms experience this inflammation of the breast. Thought to be caused by infection, mastitis typically causes a hard, red, tender, swollen area of one breast, and fever. Other symptoms include muscle aches and chills.
Here's how to get relief:
Conventionally treated with antibiotics, women who suspect they are suffering from mastitis should be diagnosed by their health care provider.
"Even if a woman is being treated with antibiotics, I always recommend they continue nursing their baby and nursing often -- especially on the infected side," says postpartum doula and co-founder of Baby Caravan Emily Crocker. "This can be super painful but the truth is that mastitis is usually being caused by a clogged duct, and the best way to unclog a duct is to latch that baby on and let her do her job." (Mastitis won't hurt the baby, however, it may reduce the milk supply in the affected breast.)
Crocker also recommends warm showers (during which you can massage the breast), cold compresses in your bra, and rest. "Now your body is not only caring for all your infant's needs, but it’s also fighting off an infection, so make sure you are taking care of yourself as well as your baby," Crocker advises.
Have you ever had mastitis? How did you address it?
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