Mastitis

[Iren_iren]

I have classic case with high fever, red patches and pain, got antibiotics from my GP today

if anyone had it, from your experience when do you start feel better? How can i prevent this reoccuring?
I havd to look after kids, but its hard with fever :/

 

[staralfur]

You should start to feel better within 24 hours. In my experience it was usually within 12. If you don't feel better after 48 hours then go back and get a different kind of AB, as there are a couple of kinds that doctors tend to prescribe and one may be more effective for you than another.

Unfortunately no advice on how to prevent as I got it repeatedly despite my best efforts! But make sure you're not skipping feeds, if you notice a blocked duct try to remedy it ASAP, use lanolin if you notice your nipples cracking, be on the lookout for mastitis symptoms if your baby is sick, etc.

 

[lau86]

Oh poor thing it's hideous isn't it. With my first I had it twice and it was caused by cracked nipples, poor attachment etc. my second I got it about 4 months in and everything seemed perfect! I think it can come on a bit randomly sometimes. But I agree, frequent feeding, no cracked nipples, changing breast pads regularly, massaging the areas and different positions of feeding can all help.

 

[Iren_iren]

Thank you for the replies. I did ferl better after 2 days and its all gone now
Will try to prevent it in the future

 

[ElmaWG]

I see that this is from a couple weeks ago, but I thought I'd share my experience.

With DS1 I had one early case of mastatis when DS1 was 3 weeks. Antibiotics cleared it up really quick. Then I also got it when DS was about 14 months (yes, over a year!) Which was such a surprise. That time I managed to get rid of it without antibiotics. I left work early due to the fever, took a bunch of ibuprofen, pumped as much out of the breast as possible while really massaging the lump. I think the ibuprofen is key here, since massaging in itself can cause more inflammation that could prevent clearing the blocked duct, but the ibuprofen, being an anti inflammatory, help counteract that. I then got in bed, piled on th blanket, and slept for ever. That killed the fever. My immune system was able to deal with it, but only because I was able to get the rest.

With DS2, now 5 weeks, I've had the beginnings of mastitis twice. On both opposite breasts. Tender blocked ducts, small read patches visible on breast, feeling under the weather. Both times I as able to get rid of it with out antibiotics (just ibuprofin, firm breast massage, and as much rest as possible). I think the key for me in treating on my own was knowing the symptoms and working to resolve it as quick as possible before the infection get too established. But of course rest is key too...if you're only sleeping 2 hours a night, your immune system is shot. I've been lucky that DS2 has allowed me a 4 hour stretch of sleep most night (dS1 never did at this age) Im sure that's helped.