Mastitis is a common but extremely painful type of inflammation of and infection in the breast. Although it can affect anyone with breasts (even men!), mastitis usually occurs in new mothers within the first six months of starting lactation. Due to mastitis, breastfeeding can become very painful and even more difficult. Some women even have to wean earlier than they’d like just to find some mastitis relief.
If you’re wondering how to deal with mastitis while breastfeeding—or how to identify whether you might have mastitis in the first place—here are some common considerations. Take heart: If you’re suffering from mastitis while breastfeeding, there are many treatment options to give you mastitis relief, from antibiotics to home remedies. And if the pain is too much, that’s OK, too. Fed is best.
Causes and common symptoms of mastitis
First, let’s review the common symptoms of mastitis. Signs of mastitis while breastfeeding can occur suddenly and include a range of symptoms. Every woman’s body is unique, so mastitis can present in different ways. If you think you have mastitis, you likely have a plugged duct, at the very least. It’s important to take action as soon as possible, as mastitis is often caused by plugged ducts that go untreated. Here are the most common signs and symptoms of mastitis:
- Burning sensation when lactating
- General breast soreness or swelling
- Hard lump / duct in the breast
- Rash on the breast
- Breasts can be tender, painful, and warm to the touch
- Flu-like symptoms: feeling lethargic and experiencing body aches or chills
- Fever of 101 degrees or higher
What causes mastitis? For most nursing mothers, it starts with a plugged duct. This can happen if your breast is not completely emptied after a nursing session (which is why women with hypogalatia are at a higher risk). It’s counterintuitive, but this gets built up, which results in a blockage. When the milk “backs up,” it results in inflammation. If you don’t act quickly, that plugged duct can get inflamed and infected, which is what we refer to when we talk about mastitis.
Mastitis can also occur when certain harmful bacteria enter the breast. Bacteria carried from your skin or the baby’s mouth can enter your breast through the nipple or cracks in your skin. When the breast isn’t empty, the “stagnant” milk can become a breeding ground for this bacteria.
How to diagnose mastitis while breastfeeding
If you think you may have mastitis, see your doctor or other healthcare provider. Mastitis is usually diagnosed based on the signs listed above, especially that fever or redness. Your doctor will typically examine the breast inflammation and ask about your symptoms. In particular, they will look for a red, wedge-shaped area on the breast that points toward the nipple. This specific pattern is a dead giveaway for mastitis. Once diagnosed, your doctor can prescribe an antibiotic for mastitis relief.
In *very* rare cases, doctors may order additional tests, such as a biopsy, to rule out breast abscesses or cancer. However, diagnosing mastitis while breastfeeding is usually a standard, easy process.
If you don’t want to see your provider—or, let’s face it, if you can’t—there are several at-home treatment options for mastitis relief.
Treatment and mastitis relief
As soon as you feel a plugged duct, start applying warm, moist heat. Take a bath or put some warm washcloths on the affected area. Also, it’s going to hurt, but nurse or pump from the affected breast as much as you possibly can. You need to drain that bad boy. We’ll get to it a little later, but your lactation consultant can help with this!
Breastfeeding while you have mastitis won’t harm your baby. It may be extra painful, but breastfeeding will help you recover by clearing milk from your ducts and ensuring a regular flow. Breastfeeding can be more effective at unclogging the duct than your pump might be, but do whatever works best for you.
For relieving pain and flu-like symptoms, you can take over-the-counter medications. The best NSAID to take while nursing is Advil or Motrin because the amount transferred to your baby is very low. If you’re no longer breastfeeding, your doctor may also prescribe antibiotics to clear the infection.
Some also swear by applying cold cabbage leaves to the breast to help with inflammation and engorgement. But cabbage can also ultimately limit your milk supply, so proceed with caution with this treatment, and consider talking to your lactation consultant about it.
It’s important to make sure you get plenty of rest when suffering from mastitis. Although it can be a challenge to find time for yourself when caring for a new baby, your body needs to slow down and heal. You know that advice to sleep when baby does? We mean it now. Drink plenty of water and wear comfortable, loose-fitting bras.
Talk to a lactation consultant
We also recommend talking to a lactation consultant about finding mastitis relief. A lactation consultant can help in a variety of ways. They’ll be able to assist with home remedies for pain relief, give you tips to avoid mastitis in the future, and even help you heal from your current inflammation via hand expressing.
Your lactation consultant can show you how to hand express, which involves gently squeezing or kneading the breast to encourage lactation. In some cases, your lactation consultant may even hand express for you in order to provide faster mastitis relief.
Mastitis prevention
Finally, one of the best ways to deal with mastitis while breastfeeding is to prevent inflammation from occurring to begin with. You may not always be able to prevent mastitis, but there are steps you can take to drastically reduce the risk.
First, wear light, loose-fitting bras and clothing to avoid putting too much pressure on your breasts. Tight clothing can restrict blood flow. Then, make sure your baby attaches correctly when breastfeeding and empty each breast completely. You may wish to hand express or pump after nursing, even when your baby is full. Your lactation consultant can help with this.
With this information, you can find mastitis relief and make your breastfeeding journey easier.