Re: VitaminC, Mastitis, etc.

[Guest guest]

,

Huge Bummer! So sorry to hear it. Use warm compresses, hot showers,

lots of massage. Maybe pump on the unaffected side and let Holden just

nurse on the sad side. That way he could just keep nursing and nursing on

that side and get it drained. Meanwhile keep the other one flowing with

the pump. Take him to bed and stay there and have a nurse in. I wish you

speedy healing. Take all the antibiotics or else the bacteria can become

resistant and cause much worse problems. Hang in there.

Wendi

VitaminC, Mastitis, etc.

From: Mygrdntool@...

Well, it happened again...on Friday morning I woke up with the realization

that I, once again, have mastitis. That's what I get for trying to be

supermom/daughter/wife/etc. Anyway, at the first realization, I started

chugging vitamin C like crazy. I got a spiked fever at about 5, but by 10,

I

felt a lot better. My temp was normal ;-) I had only taken one

amoxicillin

too, so it obviously wasn't that. Way to go Vit. C. I think I'll keep

taking 2,000 mgs a day forever to keep Mastitis away.

Of course, now that I'm on antibiotics again, here comes back the yeast.

yippee.

I'm continuing to take the Acidiphilus, though, hoping it will help

circumvent another thrush flairup.

I am just so engorged! And the breast that is sick won't pump. I tried

with

my electric Lactina to pump and it HURT....and didn't get anything out of

it.

Same with my manual Medela. Any ideas? Holden gets milk out but he

doesn't

empty it, so my plugged ducts will never clear.

I hope that everyone else and their kids are doing wonderfully ;-)

~<~~~who will be sitting on a satin pillow for several weeks so she

doesn't ever get mastitis again!

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[Guest guest]

At 03:27 AM 5/31/99 , you wrote:

>Any ideas? Holden gets milk out but he doesn't

>empty it, so my plugged ducts will never clear.

Mastitis refers to any inflammation of the breast, whether or not the

mother has a fever or a bacterial infection. Mastitis can be the result of

either a plugged duct or a bacterial infection. If there is a tender or

sore spot in the breast, and there is no fever, the most likely cause is a

plugged milk duct, caused from the duct not draining properly and becoming

inflamed. Pressure builds up behind the plug, causing inflammation in the

surrounding tissues. It is sometimes referred to as " caking " and usually

only occurs in one breast.

If the breast tenderness or lump is also accompanied with fever or flu-like

symptoms, it may be a breast infection. The breasts may look hot and

swollen. Other symptoms, like nausea and vomiting are also possible.

A breast infection comes on suddenly, is localized to one spot in the

breast, the breasts are red, hot and swollen, the pain is intense but

localized, the mother has flu-like symptoms and a fever of 101F (38.4C) or

higher. A plugged duct comes on gradually, may shift in location, may have

little or no warmth in the tender areas, pain is mild, general feelings of

wellness, and no fever higher than 101. With both an infection or plugged

duct, breastfeeding can and should continue.

Mastitis symptoms can be minimized with heat, gentle massage, frequent

breastfeeding and rest.

HEAT

- Apply wet or dry heat to the affected area, gently massaging while warm,

and remove any dried milk secretions on the nipple by soaking it with plain

water.

- Lean over a basin of warm water (or lie on one side in bathtub) soaking

the breasts for about ten minutes, three times a day. Use heat between

nursings.

MASSAGE

- Work over the lump using the palm of your hand and all fingers in a

gentle but firm circular motion.

- Use fingertips to knead the breast as part of the massage if comfortable,

starting at the armpit, working toward the nipple.

- Breastfeed or hand-express milk immediately after using heat and massage

as getting the milk to flow while the breast is warm may unplug the

affected duct.

BREASTFEED FREQUENTLY

- Nurse at least every two hours, even during the night.

- Nurse on the affected side first at each feeding.

- Nurse frequently to keep the breast from becoming overly full and the

milk flowing freely.

- Loosen constrictive clothing, especially the bra, trying to relieve any

pressure that may have been on the milk ducts.

- Make sure the breast goes deeply into the baby's mouth when latching on.

- Vary nursing positions.

- Point the baby's nose towards the plugged duct/tender side. ** I have

also read that pointing the babys chin towards the plugged duct is

effective **

REST

- Mastitis is sometimes the first sign that mother is doing too much.

- Take the baby to bed with mother and stay there until she is feeling better.

- Put your feet up - rest is an important part of treatment!

CONTRIBUTING FACTORS

- Missed or shortened feedings, and irregular breastfeeding patterns can

reduce the baby's time at the breast and leave mother with overly full or

engorged breasts, increasing her risk for mastitis.

- Inflexible hospital schedules may prevent mom from nursing the baby as

often as she should, leading to engorgement.

- Limiting baby's time at the breast, or a sleepy baby who falls asleep

before having time to soften the breasts may lead to engorgement.

- When a baby sleeps for longer stretches at night, she may become engorged.

- Giving supplementary bottles or pacifiers can increase time between

nursings.

- A busy schedule can distract the mother from feeding often to keep her

breasts from being overly full.

- Babies who nurse at sporadic intervals, such as frequently during one

part of the day but not another can lead to engorgement.

- Working mothers may need to express milk more frequently throughout the day.

- Consistent pressure on the breast, such as from a bra, mothers who sleep

on their tummies, a baby carrier, purse, breast pads, mother's hands on her

breasts during nursing or pumping, can restrict the flow of milk and lead

to mastitis.

- A baby with a weak suck may not be able to milk the breast well enough to

soften it during feedings.

- Breast surgeries, excessive sodium intake or even exposure to allergens

can cause mastitis.

When left untreated or when unresponsive to treatment, mastitis can lead to

breast abcess, which may require surgical intervention and hospitalization.