Breast infection?

Question

I have a 3 month old that i am breastfeeding. I was treated for an breast infection in my right breast about 2 weeks ago. Now I have it again in my left breast. I have already gone to the doctor and got a prescription, but i was wondering if there was any vitamin/supplement that i could take to prevent me from getting this again. Also, if I keep getting this, does it mean that I have to stop breastfeeding? I breastfeed my 1st baby until she was 9 months and had no problems so im not used to this.

Answer 1

Uggh. i feel your pain. Stopping nursing is the absolute worst idea when you have a breast infection.
I had mastitis when my son first started sleeping more than 4 hours at a time.

Did you change your routine recently?

Is he nursing more or less and your supply hasn't leveled off yet? Make sure you nurse him on demand and not some book's preset schedule.
Apply heat and massge very gently while you nurse to ease discomfort.

if your supply is well established you can try cabbage leaves for the pain. if you have enough milk make sure to avoid too much oatmeal, fenugreek and other things that increase your supply too rapidly

Answer 2

I also had 2.5 mths worth of pain and problems with breastfeeding. I think this was a mixture of cold weather, very good supply and poor attachment. If you can, and I know it's hard, deal with the pain because breastfeeding is definately the best thing for your baby and as you know with your 1st it's sooo much more convenient. My son is 8 mnths and I'm so thankful I didn't give up. Although I feel that the pain in those early months was worse than the actual labour!!!! I found that it was helpful to attach my son using my thumb to flip his top lip up over my nipple so that his lips were in the K position (if you know what I mean), and if poorly attached, remove your bub and reattach. Try to always keep your breasts dry with breast pads. Fresh one after every feed while the infection is there. Also a warm bath and gentle massage to help with any blocked ducts. If blocked, remove milk. Either by your baby or a pump. Hope it gets better. That's all I can think of at the moment. These things helped me.

Answer 3

u dont have to quit nurseing while having the infection its actually better for you if u dont stop. u need to make sure your ducts are not getting clogged up. theres no pill you can take to keep from getting one. you just have to keep the ducts from clogging by washing the nipple after each feeding and if u get a clogged duct let baby nurse frequently on that breast and pump if u have to

Answer 4

Try taking lecithin. This can help prevent plugged ducts, which often lead to mastitis.

Mastitis also often means you aren't taking good enough care of yourself. Make sure you aren't skipping nursing sessions. Up your vitamin C intake as well.

Answer 5

That never happen to me, ask your doctor why is this happening, maybe there is something you can do to prevent it, like whatever you are eating, the soap you are using to wash your clothes, etc..., Good luck!!