Relieve Pain from Mastitis

Mastitis is an inflammation of the breast that can occur when a milk duct becomes clogged or if a breast infection develops. It can be a very painful condition, especially if left untreated for too long. During treatment, the primary concern is to alleviate pain.

Steps

Recognizing Mastitis Symptoms

1. Know the symptoms of mastitis. Symptoms include pain, soreness, a lump or swelling in the breast. While mastitis can occur at any time during breast-feeding, it's most common within the first month. If symptoms don't show improvement within a few days, see your doctor for treatment.
   • Any discomfort or redness is an indication of a potential problem.
   • A tingling sensation in the nipple at the start of a nursing session that becomes painful as baby suckles may be the start of mastitis.
   • Many women who have mastitis think at first that they have the flu.
2. Check breasts for any lumps, swelling or areas of heat. If you notice these conditions, take special precautions to ensure you are receiving proper breast care.
   • Mastitis usually appears within the first four weeks of nursing, though it can occur at any point during breastfeeding, especially when a mom returns to work and is trying to pump, or when she is trying to wean.
   • Continue to monitor your symptoms. If an improvement is not seen in a few days or if the symptoms worsen, contact your health care provider immediately.
3. Take note if you are feeling a bit under the weather. Mastitis symptoms resemble those of flu. Feeling unusually tired and achy, experiencing chills, having a headache or the presence of a fever are all indications that an infection is more than likely present. This will frequently happen before you experience any symptoms with your breasts.
   • Stress, fatigue, and being a first-time mother increase your chances of acquiring mastitis.
   • Remember, mastitis is an illness. Get plenty of rest, and stay hydrated. This will help replenish your immune system.
4. Seek the assistance of a medical professional to determine if antibiotics are necessary. Discuss your symptoms with a physician as soon as they develop. Mastitis can rapidly progress into an abscess which can require disfiguring surgery to resolve. Several antibiotics are deemed safe to take while nursing.
   • Continue taking all medications even if you are feeling better. If antibiotics are discontinued before the infection is completely cured, mastitis can come back.
   • If you don't feel better within 2-3 days of starting antibiotics, contact your medical provider.

Relieving Mastitis Pain

1. Breastfeed as often as you can, but gently. A full breast increases the pain of mastitis, so draining the breast of milk helps reduce pain. Your pain will be less if your breasts are as empty as possible. If breastfeeding is too painful, use a pump.
   • Start each feed on the sore breast. If that's too painful, start with the other breast, and once your milk is flowing well, switch to the affected breast until it feels soft.
   • If your baby doesn't empty your breast of milk in a feeding, finish by pumping milk until the breast is empty.
   • Your baby may appear reluctant to nurse on the affected breast. This isn't because anything is different about the milk, but because your breast feels different to the baby. Express a little milk from your nipple to encourage nursing.
2. Use hot compresses to reduce swelling and alleviate pain. Apply to the affected breast for 15 minutes prior to breastfeeding. This will aid in reducing some swelling and help allow the milk to flow more freely.
   • Use warm towels that are fresh out of the dryer to apply heat.
   • Also try using warm, wet washcloths.
   • Repeat this process at least 3 times per day.
3. Take analgesics for fever and pain. Acetaminophen and/or ibuprofen will help ease pain, without causing complications for your baby. The relief of pain during mastitis aids healing.
   • Aspirin is not recommended. Aspirin has blood-thinning properties that may adversely affect your baby. Aspirin may cause your baby to acquire Reyes' Syndrome, a rare but serious medical condition.
   • Analgesics that have anti-inflammatory effects, such as ibuprofin, have greater effectiveness than those that don't, such as acetaminophen.
4. Alternate hot and cold compresses. While warm compresses stimulate breast milk production, cold compresses will help relieve pain between feedings by slowing the milk production. Cold compresses also temporarily numb pain.
   • Damp heat, as in a warm washcloth, will be more effective than a dry heat, such as a heating pad.
   • Cold compresses can be crushed ice cubes in a plastic bag, with a soft thin towel to protect your skin. A bag of frozen fruits or vegetables also works well. Keep the frozen compress against your breast until it's no longer cold, about 10-15 minutes.
5. Take warm showers or baths frequently throughout the day. Massage the affected breast while in the warm water. The warmth of the water increases circulation and helps healing, while massage helps unclog the breast ducts.
   • Stand under the shower stream with the water directed to the affected breast.
   • Set the temperature of the water to be as hot as you can comfortably tolerate it.
   • Soaking your breasts in a warm Epsom salt bath speeds healing, and relieves pain.
   • You can also fill up a bowl with warm water and soak your breast in the bowl.
6. Massage the breast prior to feeding the baby. This will aid in increasing circulation and assist in the milk let-down reflex, which will allow the milk to flow freely. Be sure to massage gently. Rough handling of the breast can increase swelling.
   • With two fingers, find the spot on your breast that hurts the most. Starting here, gently rub in a circular motion. Move first clockwise, then counter-clockwise. Repeat frequently during the day, from differing angles.
   • Massage will help to release milk that may have built up, clogging your ducts.
7. Nurse your baby frequently. Try to nurse at least every 2 hours. Emptying the breast is the best way to speed up recovery. A full breast will also be more painful, so nursing offers natural pain relief.
   • Wake up your baby throughout the night and from long naps to increase feeding sessions.
   • Avoid giving baby a bottle. If baby is reluctant to nurse, continue to try periodically. Do not allow yourself to be discouraged if baby does not want to nurse. Just stick with it and continue offering the breast often.
8. Experiment with a variety of nursing positions. This will allow pressure to be put on a variety of breast ducts. Incorporate pillows into the feeding sessions for added comfort and pain relief.
   • One suggested position is to crouch above your baby, on your hands and knees. Allow your breasts to hang down freely from your ribcage. Lower your breasts towards your baby's mouth, until she latches on.
   • If you're in public, you can try a modified version. With your baby in your lap, lean over so that your breasts are falling downward. This position drains the ducts more efficiently than any other.

Using Natural Remedies

1. Apply slices of raw potato to the breast within 24 hours of first symptoms. This is a treatment recommended by Bridget Lynch, RM, Community Midwives of Toronto to reduce pain, swelling and redness associated with mastitis.
   • Slice 6-8 raw potatoes lengthwise, and place into a bowl of cold water for 15-20 minutes. Remove a few potato slices from water and place on affected breast.
   • Allow to remain on the breast for 15-20 minutes, then remove and discard. Repeat with fresh slices.
   • Continue for 1 hour, for a total of 3 applications. Take a break for about 30 minutes, then repeat the procedure.
2. Place some raw, chilled cabbage leaves into the cup of your bra. Cabbage leaves have anti-inflammatory properties. This practice is recommended by herbalists as an all-natural remedy to soothe inflammation and assist with flushing the infection from the milk duct.
   • Replace the cabbage leaf every hour.
   • Some mothers have reported decreased milk production using this method. If your milk slows, discontinue using this treatment.
3. Attempt to eat 1 clove of raw garlic daily. Herbalists consider raw garlic to be one of nature’s strongest antibiotics. Peel the clove before eating. Follow with a glass of fresh water, which will help ease the pungent flavor.
   • If you prefer, mince the garlic and combine with butter. Spread this on fresh bread or a steamed vegetable. The garlic will maintain its antibiotic properties while perhaps being more palatable.
   • Pay attention to the reaction that the consumption of garlic may have on your baby. She may dislike the aroma or flavor that it adds to the milk. Notice if it appears to upset baby’s tummy and if so, discontinue use.
4. Take echinacea root tincture. Echinacea stimulates the immune system, and assists the body in fighting off infection.The recommended dose is 1/2 drop of tincture for every pound of your body weight.
   • Dissolve the tincture in water, or place directly on your tongue.
   • Recommended dosage is 3-5 applications per day, but some herbalists suggest as many as 12 doses per day.

Practicing Healthy Living

1. Eat a healthy, anti-inflammatory diet. Avoid sugar and refined food products. Include plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, and whole grains such as brown rice and bulgar wheat.
   • Eat lean protein choices, such as chicken and fish.
   • Include plenty of spices, such as ginger, curry and tumeric. These spices have anti-inflammatory properties which will help with pain relief.
2. Include good sources of Omega-3 in your diet. Omega-3 fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties, and also contribute to good neonatal brain development.
   • Coldwater fish, such as salmon or cod, are excellent sources of Omega-3. You can also take fish oil supplements.
   • Flax seeds, walnuts, avocados and other heart-healthy nuts provide Omega-3 as well.
3. Get plenty of rest. Rest will boost your body’s infection-fighting power. Ask for help from others if it is difficult for you to find time to rest more.
   • Rest in bed with your baby. This will promote frequent feeding, helping in pain relief. It's also good for bonding with your baby.
   • Sleep on your back rather than on your stomach to keep from mashing against your breasts. Sleeping on your side is an option, as long as you don't tend to roll too far over, which can constrict your breasts.
   • Remove your bra before going to bed. If not wearing a bra at all is an option for you, go bra-less for a time.
4. Avoid compressing the breast with restrictive clothing. Wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothing. Avoid close-fitting shirts or blouses, or any clothing that constrains your breasts.
   • Wear a supportive bra, if you must wear a bra. Underwire bras are not recommended.
   • If you wear a swimsuit, choose one that isn't too tight.
   • Avoid clothing that rubs or irritates the nipples.
5. Drink more water. Increasing the amount of liquid you drink will help flush toxins from your body, and speed healing.
   • Drinking water also helps to cool the body's temperature, and provide comfort.
   • Water can also be used to dilute fruit and vegetable juices.

Researching Proper Breast Care

1. Educate yourself about breast care techniques when breastfeeding. Speak with your health care provider or locate a lactation specialist if need be.
   • Don't use soap to clean your nipples, as soap may dry them out. Only clean with water.
   • Use mild, unscented laundry detergent to wash bras and undergarments.
   • After breastfeeding, express a small amount of milk and rub it onto the nipple. This will help moisturize and clean your nipple better than breast cream.
   • If breast cream is necessary, because of dry, chapped nipples, use lanolin.
2. Check out educational pregnancy and baby websites. These sites have sections geared toward nursing mothers and the conditions that may accompany breastfeeding, including mastitis. Gather as much helpful information as you can from these sources.
   • La Leche League International provides education, support and encouragement to nursing mothers worldwide.
   • Find a new mothers' group in your area. If there isn't a local group, look online. Many new mothers find support and encouragement through peer groups.
   • Remember, mastitis is a common condition of nursing mothers. You are not alone!
3. Identify conditions that can lead to mastitis. Although mastitis can sometimes develop in the absence of any of the following conditions, eliminating these risk factors can help decrease the chance of developing Mastitis, as well as alleviate the condition much quicker.
   • Cracked or bleeding nipples can allow bacteria to enter into the breast. This can occur when your baby fails to latch on properly.
   • Missed feedings or a longer-than-usual time between feedings can result in breast engorgement. If breast engorgement occurs, milk ducts can become clogged, which increase the risk of developing mastitis.
   • Stress, poor nutrition and lack of sleep can all lower the body’s ability to fight infection.

Warnings

• If your condition worsens at any time throughout your course of treatment contact your care giver immediately. The situation may require a different course of action such as a new antibiotic, drainage or surgical removal of an abscess that has formed.
• Contact your health care professional as soon as you suspect you may have mastitis.

Sources and Citations

See also

• Gradually Stop Breastfeeding
• Stop Breastfeeding Quickly
• Warm Breast Milk
• Pump Breast Milk
• Stop Breastfeeding Without Pain
• Breastfeed
• Eat While Breastfeeding
• Know when Expressed Breast Milk Is Spoiled
• Lose Weight While Breastfeeding
• Use a Breast Feeding Pillow

Read more ...

What links here

• Relieve Breast Engorgement