recurring mastitis getting me down

[MrsMouse]

My baby boy Jamie is 11 weeks old now and I have been bearly 2 weeks at anyone time without being on antibiotics for mastitus. I'm currently suffering my fourth round of it. Sorry about the essay but I need to vent!

Round 1 - very bad - 2 weeks of antibiotics (later found they were the wrong ones to treat mastitus)

Round 2 - worst - 2 weeks of antibiotics right antibiotics and visits from the lactation consultant to try and solve the problem

Round 3 - caught early but still very painful - 1 week of antibiotics to clear - lactation consultant says it should get easier as he develops a pattern of feeding.

Round 4 - started today after 2 weeks clear - I got my antibiotics earlier. Cause - little man hasn't been well and did one night of 5 minute feeds every 2 hours!

I am soooo fed up of having mastitus - the pain is excrutiating I'd go through labour twice rather than do this again. Thankfully its only on my left side if it had been in both sides I would have given up for sure. Now though I'm coming under pressure from the other half to give up breastfeeding as he can't stand seeing me in pain. I have said to him that as Jamie is doing so well I'm not giving up and that it seems this round and the last one were minor compared to the first ones and that if I am the one in pain and can put up with it surely he can too.

I've seen my lactation consultant soo many times I might as well buy her a resident permit to park outside my house!!

I gave Jamie 1 ounce of formula a few weeks ago to "test" him on it, my sister couldn't tolerate formula so I was worried it may run inthe family. Afterwards I felt soo guilty, almost like I'd poisoned him or something but he was fine. I haven't given him anything other than EBM since.

But I am just getting soo tired of mastitus now - emotionally its really wearing me down and with OH adding the pressure its starting to take its toll. I love the closeness I have with my boy and know that bf is so much easier than faffing around with bottles at 2am!

I just dont know how long I can carry on with getting mastitus like this.......

Anyone else out there in the same boat?

I just needed to vent where people will understand.

Thanks for reading and sorry for the long post

nickie

 

[pachamama]

Blimey Nickie!! What a trooper for carrying on as long as you have! You are clearly a very committed mummy!

Not had mastitis, but have had thrush for 2 weeks, which left my left nipple stripped of skin and right nipple so badly cracked that I was balling my eyes out every time I had to feed. OH was also starting to really worry about me and asking me if it was really worth it - and to a point I agree - it really was that bad that it was starting to affect the way I feel about my son. i.e. dreading feeding him and not wanting him near me - unable to cuddle him because my nipples were that painful!

Last Thurs I made the decision to start expressing to give my nipples a chance to heal. It was either that, or start formula feeding (which I'm leaving the option open for - don't want to get back into that state again). I'm feeling much happier since I changed to expressing. It's hard work but not as hard as what I've been through.

So, not been through the mastitis but have been through a very challenging situation recently and think you're amazing to have stuck it out as long as you have. Whether you decide to continue breastfeeding, mix feed or whatever is entirely up to you and I think you can safely say that you've given it 110% and feel proud of your efforts.

Hope things start to improve for you.

x

 

[Seity]

I have chronic blocked ducts, but luckily have avoided them turning into mastitis so far. Have you considered taking lecithin supplements. I wish I'd known about this sooner. I take 1200mg a day and it keeps me from getting the blocks (except when I forget to take it)

 

[Samantha675]

I had mastitis before my son was born, and every other month for the first 8 months. It does get old. I was lucky and always caught it before I needed antibiotics, but it still wasn't fun.

I found that if I wasn't eating, drinking enough water, or getting enough sleep it would happen. Yes I know how hard those things are to get done with a newborn.

Hang in there love, I had my last bought at 8 months, and it hasn't happened since we are now rolling into our 28th month of nursing!

 

[jj-rabbit]

Ahh hun i can totally sympathise, its so painful. I've had it twice and the first time my hubby said that apart from labour he's never seen me in so much pain, he said i looked like i did when i was having contractions. After the second time i started changing feeding positions so i'll start him feeding on his tummy then i'll move him to the rugby ball position just to try and make sure all the ducts get emptied. Fingers crossed this continues to work for me. I remember feeling the same that i wasn't sure i could continue but i really didn't want to give up so i'm trying to make sure i do everything to stop it re-occuring. I always make sure i express if Chase hasn't emptied me too. Big hugs hun its so horrid

 

[MelanieAnn]

https://www.llli.org/FAQ/repeatmastitis.html