I am considering topping up my 3week old daughter with formular as i am suffering badly from mastitis and feel like i need a break, I have had 2corses of antibiotics and going to docs tomoro again for a stronger corse, its becoming very painful to feed her and the healh visitor suggested topping her up, i was just wanting some advice on the best formular, is there any with added omega 3? Or some advice on how to get rid of this mastitis as the health visitor thinks i am prone to it and the tablets dont seem to be working. Thanks x
2007-12-06 05:23:44 · 12 answers · asked by Kayleigh & James 4 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
Here's some good information on mastitis:
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mom/recurrent-mastitis.html
It would be best to continue nursing. Nurse frequently, and let the baby nurse for as long as she wants to. Heat applied to your breasts before nursing can help.
Do you have a La Leche League group in your area? They are a great source of help and support. I wouldn't be inclined to listen to your health visitor.
2007-12-06 05:33:51 · answer #1 · answered by daa 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Contact an IBLAC about this. The best thing for mastitis is to nurse more. Increase you vitamin C intake, too.
Make sure you also have something on hand in case thrush develops from the antibiotics.
I wouldn't supp with formula. She's so young and you don't need the pain of nipple confusion also.
Good luck and check out the Kelly mom section I posted. There's a lot of info on recurrent mastitis.
2007-12-06 05:41:21 · answer #2 · answered by Mandy 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Grapefruit Seed Extract 20: drops in 1/2 cup of orange juice 2-3 times a day, plus 10 drops per oz of distilled water sprayed on nipples after each feed AND swabbed in the baby's mouth will work if the infection is caused by yeast. There are also prescription anti-fungals.
Honestly though if you start topping up not only could that end up with you not making enough milk the more immediate problem is you will end up engorged which can cause mastitis.
Need to use formula? Here are some specifics...
http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/milk/infant-formula.html#usingformula
2007-12-06 12:26:10 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Use warm water compresses and massage on your breasts to relieve the mastitis (although this may be sore, it will help). Also if you are not going to breastfeed, you need to express or pump milk to help with this. I know these all hurt right now, but when I started to show signs of mastitis, I was told to pump or express or breastfeed more and that prevented it. As for formula, I don't buy the most expensive ones, because my children have all been fussy on the expensive ones. I've gone with the generic store brand that has the added DHA and ARA for brain and eye development, and is chemically the same as the brand name. Your baby might be more fussy though on the formula, as it is not as gentle on their system as breast milk.
2007-12-06 05:34:23 · answer #4 · answered by ALFimzadi 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to do what's ultimately best for your daughter's health and your state of mind but do try to continue nursing as it will only help with the mastitis.....you don't want to just go cold turkey at this point. If she's having wet diapers and seems satisfied, then she is getting enough. If is does get so painful that you're uncomfortable and not having let down, then go to the formula. Drink plenty of fluids and use warm wet washclothes on your breasts in between feedings.
2007-12-06 05:33:32 · answer #5 · answered by Chickenfarmer 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I had mastitis a couple of times, I would fill a bowl with warm/hot water and dunk my breast in it. I would soak it for a while to, and I used warm wash cloths. My doctor gave me vicadin for the pain and antibiotics. I think you need to see your doctor and not rely on the health visitor because they will probably be more helpful and maybe give you something to ease the pain, in the mean time try taking ibuprofen. OH and keep breastfeeding it really helps!
2007-12-06 05:37:34 · answer #6 · answered by liv t 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I can sympathise withyour Mastitis problem. The pain is unreal. I too had it when I was breastfeeding my son and it led me to top up with formula. Except my son enjoyed the bottle more and decided he didn't want to breast-feed at all anymore. He was 3 months at the time. So I sorta wished I would have just kept on exclusively breast-feeding since I would have liked to breast-feed longer. However my son has always been very healthy and did fine on formula. Neslte Goodstart has DHA and RHA and is good. Good luck and Congrats!
2007-12-06 05:35:22 · answer #7 · answered by sherlockstacey 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need the help of a lactaion consultant or La Leche League leader. The only thing I know about mastitis is to nurse often, rest and get plenty of fluids, but LCs or LLL leaders know lots and lots. Those women can help you decide on the best treatment for you, along with your HV and your doctor.
2007-12-06 05:48:47 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
An old wives tale which worked for me to reduce the pain was cabbage leaves inside the bra. It is usually used for engorged breasts but works for mastitis too.
Good luck baby, you'll be fine.
2007-12-06 05:42:09 · answer #9 · answered by Paula R 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i used enfamile a + with lipil dha omega 3 and ara omega 6...is apparently the closest to breast milk..my babes is doing very well with it
2007-12-06 05:31:18 · answer #10 · answered by sandradee 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋