Postpartum mastitis
(breast infection)
Sorry if I misspelled this. I have this currently, but am not sure
what it is caused from. I forgot to ask. I have red streaks all around
the breast and huge hot lumps. It is so painful. Last night I iced them
and nursed my baby as frequently as I could. Today I feel nauseated and
am running 102.6 fever and have the chills.
These signs and symptoms are characteristic of a postpartum
mastitis, or infection of the ducts and glands of the breast. It
usually happens within the 1st 3 or 4 weeks after delivery.
I feel terrible. The pain goes to my neck and armpit. Help...what
else can I do and how long will it last.
It takes about 3 days on antibiotics to feel better and about a week
to totally clear. Continue nursing or pumping the breast. DON'T miss
any of the antibiotics you are supposed to take.
My doctor said he would call in an antibiotic this morning.
The antibiotic will likely be one that covers staph and strep;
usually a penecillin-like drug.
Why did I get this?
Somehow staph or strep bacteria that can cause this got on the
nipple and got into the breast either through a cracked fissure in the
nipple or one of the ducts when the baby breast feeds.
Will it cause long term effects?
If it doesn't get treated promptly, it can cause a breast abscess.
An abscess can get big and result in breast disfigurement if it needs
to be surgically drained. If it is treated promptly with antibiotics,
it almost always heals with no long term effect.
The baby can nurse as long as there is only milk and not pus coming
from the nipple. The breasts do have to be drained of milk regularly
along with the antibiotics to heal. If your temperature is not down
within 36 hours of taking the antibiotics or if any pus drains, you
need to be seen right away.
There is a good little book on breast feeding in our Woman's
Diagnostic Cyber Store.
I'm pregnant and thinking about breastfeeding
I'm pregnant and thinking about breastfeeding. What can I
do now to help insure breastfeeding will go well?
Read about breastfeeding, go to a class, pick a pediatrician
supportive of breastfeeding which will be easy to do because the
American Academy of Pediatrics now recommends that babies be
breastfed for one year. Research clearly shows that breastfed
babies are healthier! And if you have flat or inverted nipples
and are not at risk for premature labor, wear breastshells during
your waking hours during the last trimester of your pregnancy.
Does baby get anything before milk comes in?
Is my baby getting anything before my milk comes in?
Yes, your breasts supply colostrum, a very concentrated milk
full of antibodies. This colostrum acts as a laxative, helping
clear meconium (black tarry stool) and bilirubin (which may make
baby jaundiced or yellow) from your baby.
Is baby latched well?
How do I know my baby is latched well?
When you feel good tugging and it doesn't hurt. If this
isn't the case, your baby's gums probably aren't over the
lactiferous sinuses where they need to be to compress the
sinuses. These sinuses are back about an inch from the tip of
the nipple. Make sure baby completely faces you, opens wide with
tongue down before you quickly center nipple in baby's mouth. If
it hurts, let dad or grandma pull down on baby's chin so baby's
tongue comes down and cushions lower gum. But if it still hurts,
remove baby from breast by putting your clean finger between
baby's gums and start over. Laying baby on pillows and keeping
baby's mouth right in front of your nipple helps too. And
remember when you were pregnant, your baby was all flexed inside
of you so now baby will feel more secure if he is curled up with
both his knees touching you.
How can I tell if my baby is getting enough milk?
How do I know if my baby is getting enough milk?
When your milk comes in (day three to day five after
delivery) start counting wet diapers. Buy inexpensive diapers
for the first week so you can easily tell if they are wet. If
your baby has four to six wet diapers in a 24-hour period, you
are supplying baby with a good amount of breast milk. Another
sign that there is good milk transfer is your breasts soften with
nursing.
How often should I nurse?
How often should my baby nurse?
Daytime every two to three hours for at least 10-15 minutes
on each breast. You may need to wake your baby (a diaper change
and holding baby upright and talking to baby helps waken baby)
during the day so your nights will be more restful. As baby's
nutritional needs are better met during the day, baby will not
wake as often during the night. Sometimes your breasts will be
full during the night and baby may still be asleep so you will
want to wake your baby and nurse. As baby gets older, feedings
will space out.
How to prevent breast engorgement
How can I prevent getting engorged?
You can significantly reduce your risk of engorgement by
doing two things. First: before your milk comes in, nurse alot.
Second: the day your milk comes in, nurse at least every two
hours that day. As fast as your milk comes in, baby is taking it
out which helps decrease possible engorgement.
What causes sore nipples?
What do I do for my sore nipples?
When you are first learning to breastfeed, sore nipples are
the result of poor positioning. They hurt because your baby's
gums probably aren't over the lactiferous sinuses where they need
to be to compress the sinuses. These sinuses are back about an
inch from the tip of the nipple. Properly position baby's gums
over the lactiferous sinuses where the milk is pooling, not the
tip of the nipple where you have lots of nerve endings. Next,
you can help the soreness by leaving colostrum or breastmilk on
the nipple (unless you have inverted nipples) and airdrying the
nipples. But the cause of the soreness is probably poor
positioning. (Later soreness can be caused by thrush - a yeast
infection - in which case both mother and baby need to be
treated).
When can I use a bottle or pacifier?
When can I give my baby a bottle or pacifier?
It is best to wait a few weeks and let breastfeeding get a
good start, build up a good milk supply and let baby get used to
one kind of nipple. Then before baby is a month old you may have
dad or grandma offer baby an occasional bottle, maybe when baby
is a little sleepy and in a room where you usually don't
breastfeed.
Baby's suddenly hungry
Why is my baby suddenly acting so hungry?
Babies have growth spurts, usually between 1-2 weeks old, at
6 weeks old, and 3 months old. Baby may want to nurse twice as
often for 1-2 days during that time, and this extra stimulation
will automatically increase mother's supply to match baby's
demands.
Breast lump while nursing
What can I do about this lump in my breast?
Lumpy breasts can be normal when nursing but if you notice a
particular lump it may be a plugged duct. Before nursing, use
heat (warm shower or warm compress) and breast massage (gentle
circular motion with fingertips from chest wall, over lump
towards nipple) then nurse or pump. It is important to clear a
plugged duct because it can lead to a breast infection. If the
lump doesn't clear with this treatment or you develop flu-like
symptoms, call the doctor.
Going back to work while nursing
What are my options when I go back to work?
If you have time and privacy at work, you may wish to pump
your milk during those feeding times you will be away from baby.
If you will not have the opportunity to pump at work, you may
SLOWLY wean your baby from worktime feedings and only nurse
before and after work or completely wean your baby. Whenever you
wean, always do it slowly.
Storing breast milk
How long can I store my milk?
About 72 hours in the refrigerator, but after 48 hours there is some breakdown
of the fats and proteins. For five days, refrigerated milk may be free of bacterial
contamination. After that it should be disposed of.
It is best to store in the back and higher shelves
of the refrigerator. You may keep milk in the freezer for two
weeks to six months depending on the type of freezer you have.
Check with a lactation consultant or La Leche League about
pumping, labeling and storing milk.
Can I nurse a premature baby in intensive care?
What if I have a premature baby or a baby who has to go to
an intensive care unit at first?
Your milk is tailor-made for your baby. If you have a
premature baby your milk is higher in protein and gives baby
extra protection against illness. And only you, no doctor or
nurse who is caring for your baby in the intensive care unit, can
supply this special protection. If you cannot put your baby to
breast at first, you may pump your milk. Your nurse or lactation
consultant will help you get started.
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