Breastfeeding - Phoenix,AZ

Hello I.,
This may get confusing seeing recommendations to apply heat and then others that recommend cold...
What I used to do when I had this type of problem is to apply Quark, which is something like strained cottage cheese, nicely cool from the fridge. I'd put it on a washing cloth or another type of cloth that wouldn't allow much liquid to drain through like "spitting cloth for babies" and keep it on over night, exchange when it gets warm and wipe off with water and mild soap before breastfeeding.
The Quark/Strained Cottage Cheese has multiple effects: It cools, it has a high mineral content and is acidic, which promotes healing and diminishes the swelling.
There is homeopathics, too, like Bryonia in 6X or 30X which you can take following directions.
You can find quark in health food stores, cottage cheese may work, too.

Good Luck! K.

I had a similiar thing happen when my daughter was about 3 months old. If it hurts to bad to breastfeed her you can pump that breast so that you keep producing milk. Also hot showers while you lean over seems to help. Try to massage around the nipple area and keep putting hot compresses on it. You can also call these breastfeeding support services.

American Academy of Pediatrics www.aap.org
Le leche League International 1-800-525-3242 (I recommend calling them first)
Nursing Mothers Counsel 1-###-###-####
Enfamil Resource Center 1-800-BABY123

Hope this helps!

Human bites can be extremely dangerous since there's so much bacteria in our mouths. I would really recommend seeing a doctor immediately in case your breast is infected. If it is, you're putting yourself and your baby in danger.

Nurse with your baby facing in the direction of the lump if you can. Lay down and put the baby upside down (its a little wierd, but I swear it works)

You're doing all the right things. Think about ibuprofen if it's tender or you get a fever. Keep nursing (it's more efficient than pumping.) Warm compresses, hot shower, express that milk mama. Keep that baby nursing (and don't neglect the other breast or it will start the same process!) Hang in there.

I have a friend who swears by hot cabbage leaves.

I.,

You're doing the right things...

Hot compress, massage, pump - and REST, REST, REST!! Mastitis is often a sign that we're tired and doing too much. Get to bed and drink a ton of water.

Also, check with your local herbalist for a good herbal remedy. It's gentler than taking antibiotics and will BUILD your immune system rather than taking it out - right as flu season starts.

M.

Get a nipple shield!!!

When I quit nursing I ended up with clogged ducts. When I took a shower I let the hot water run on them and massaged them (it HURT but it worked the clogs out), you could use warm washcloths before nursing to help. Then I put ice packs on them to help with swelling. It took about a week but it worked. Gerber makes an ointment/chapstick looking thingy for nursing that works really well and isn't gooey sticky (although Lanolin may help too). Good luck!

A great resource for nursing moms is La Leche league.

Massage that area, pump and have her nurse a lot. Try a cold compress too for pain and inflammation, after nursing and pumping.

I have had plugged milk ducts, etc a lot and have never had to go to the doctor. The pain can persist for a few days after it is unplugged.

Try this link:
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mom/mastitis.html

It sounds like you have probably got an infection and will probably need some antibiotics. But as for a plugged milk duct or engorgement, my doctor used to reccommend I wet a baby diaper with really hot water and then place that over the sore breast while my baby nurses the other side. Then I would take it off and nurse my baby on that side. If you haven't already, you should put in a phone call to your local La Leche League (you can google their website and get the number there or call any hospital and get the number there). They are extremely knowledgeable and very helpful.
Good luck and feel better soon!

-J.
www.mytimecalendars.com

Try some deluted Tea Tree Oil. Just clean off the area before you start feeding. If there is any infection starting TTO will clear it up. Using a cotton ball, wet cotton ball. Two drops of oil is enough. Do tis 2x daily for 2 or 3 days. Use a clean cotton ball each time.
Good luck,
D.

The hot cabbage leaves is highly recommended by "experts". Ouch! You poor thing.
B.