Urgent- possible mastisis. When should I go to the emergency room?

[bookworm0901]

My LO is 1 week old. I've struggled to BF every since my milk came in because I produce tons of milk, way more than he eats. It doesn't help that he is impossible to keep awake but I try for hours to get him to eat for just 1 more minute.

It also doesn't help that he was eating 15 minutes per side (30 total) every 2 hours with colostrum and now he is eating every 3 hours for maybe 15-20 minutes total. I guess he is more satisfied because he is a very content baby and even sleeps through the night except to eat, he just goes right back to sleep. He has several hours of awake time during the day too though and will just lay there and stare. He never cries.

Anyway, I woke up with sore boobs, as usual, and body aches. After he ate in te afternoon I hand expressed for the first time and felt much better. I went to sleep. I woke up with chills, body aches, a fever of 101.4 F (38.6 C- I think, used a temp converter) and my boobs are on fire. My mom and sister on are there way over with a pump. What do I do? I'm getting dizzy writing this.

 

[Dk1234]

I have no experience but I'd go. This doesn't sound good.

 

[momtake1]

first off relax...sounds like your great family is there to help!! The fever and chills is not a good sign although typically with mastitis the soreness wouldn't be both breasts all over it would be one REALLY painful area along with the fever and chills (lets be honest though nothing is ever typical!!) . Try pumping and see if that at least helps the breast pain, I would try motrin (ibuprofen) for the fever as it is safe for nursing moms. I wouldnt mess around too much though. If after a pump and a motrin the fever hasn't come down I would call the doc. Antibiotics may be needed to kick the bug.
Thinking of you!!!

 

[JessPape]

if ur getting chills/fever and not feeling good its time to go to the doctor. You may have gotten a blocked duck (do u remember a lumpy area when ur milk came in?). This is actually common, I had one under my armpit because my breast was so engorged i couldn't get her to latch. SO what I did was massage the area, in a warm/hot shower and a few hours later it relieved I repeated for two days. If you dont do anythin about a block duck it will turn i to mastisis, but since ur feeling chils and a fever I think its time t head to the doctor. better safe than sorry, as u could end up in the hospital with IV's if u put it off for to long. (not to scare you)

 

[JessPape]

Also his eating pattren is exactly how my daughter ate, she gained weight great. As long as he is happy not screaming, and good diaper output i wouldn't stress he'll sleep lots! my 2.5 month old still sleeps lots.

 

[alaskagrown]

I wouldn't go to the ER for mastitis unless it really was an emergency. I had mastitis (chills, aches, temperature of 102) and called the doctor, explained to them I'd like to be seen ASAP since I had an infection, they got me in, got me on antibiotics, and it cleared up within 24 hours. It'll save you a MASSIVE emergency room bill, I promise!

 

[Cat_pj]

It sounds just like when I had mastitis. I didn't go to ER though, just went to see my doctor (it was a saturday so it was out of hours doc, dunno how it works in the US of A). Don't worry that you have an over supply; most people do, your body is just adjusting to making milk, wondering whether you've got multiples etc. It will calm down. Pump a bit but not too much, it could exacerbate the problem.

Just make sure you keep feeding. Its the very best thing you can do, and take antibiotics and paracetemol to bring your temperature down. It really is horrendous though, I think it was the most ill I ever remember feeling as an adult.

Hugs!

 

[DnJ]

go to emerg and get antibiotics! i had same thing at same time and once the fever kicks on you need meds. trust me hun!

 

[staralfur]

I would take some ibuprofen and make a doctor's appointment for tomorrow if you can. I don't think it's necessarily an emergency. Your doctor will confirm that it's mastitis and then prescribe you some antibiotics which will help a ton.