Breastfeeding and Mastitis
Mastitis is inflammation of the breast tissue. It can occur in women who are breastfeeding. This can make breastfeeding painful. Mastitis will sometimes go away on its own, especially if it is not caused by an infection (non-infectious mastitis).
Your health care provider will help determine if medical treatment is needed. Treatment may be needed if the condition is caused by a bacterial infection (infectious mastitis).
What are the causes?
This condition is often associated with a blocked milkduct, which can happen when too much milk builds up in the breast. Causes of excess milk in the breast can include:
- Poor latch-on. If your baby is not latched onto the breast properly, he or she may not empty your breast completely while breastfeeding.
- Allowing too much time to pass between feedings.
- Wearing a bra or other clothing that is too tight. This puts extra pressure on the milk ducts so milk does not flow through them as it should.
- Milk remaining in the breast because it is overfilled (engorged).
- Stress and fatigue.
Mastitis can also be caused by a bacterial infection. Bacteria may enter the breast tissue through cuts, cracks, or openings in the skin near the nipple area. Cracks in the skin are often caused when your baby does not latch on properly to the breast.
What are the signs or symptoms?
Symptoms of this condition include:
- Swelling, redness, tenderness, and pain in an area of the breast. This usually affects the upper part of the breast, toward the armpit region. In most cases, it affects only one breast. In some cases, it may occur on both breasts at the same time and affect a larger portion of breast tissue.
- Swelling of the glands under the arm on the same side.
- Fatigue, headache, and flu-like muscle aches.
- Fever.
- Rapid pulse.
Symptoms usually last 2 to 5 days. Breast pain and redness are at their worst on day 2 and day 3, and they usually go away by day 5. If an infection is left to progress, a collection of pus (abscess) may develop.
How is this diagnosed?
This condition can be diagnosed based on your symptoms and a physical exam. You may also have tests, such as:
- Blood tests to determine if your body is fighting a bacterial infection.
- Mammogram or ultrasound tests to rule out other problems or diseases.
- Fluid tests. If an abscess has developed, the fluid in the abscess may be removed with a needle. The fluid may be analyzed to determine if bacteria are present.
- Breast milk may be cultured and tested for bacteria.
How is this treated?
This condition will sometimes go away on its own. Your health care provider may choose to wait 24 hours after first seeing you to decide whether treatment is needed. If treatment is needed, it may include:
- Strategies to manage breastfeeding. This includes continuing to breastfeed or pump in order to allow adequate milk flow, using breast massage, and applying heat or cold to the affected area.
- Self-care such as rest and increased fluid intake.
- Medicine for pain.
- Antibiotic medicine to treat a bacterial infection. This is usually taken by mouth.
- If an abscess has developed, it may be treated by removing fluid with a needle.
Follow these instructions at home:
Medicines
- Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
- If you were prescribed an antibiotic medicine, take it as told by your health care provider.Do notstop taking the antibiotic even if you start to feel better.
General instructions
- Do notwear a tight or underwire bra. Wear a soft, supportive bra.
- Increase your fluid intake, especially if you have a fever.
- Get plenty of rest.
For breastfeeding:
- Continue to empty your breasts as often as possible, either by breastfeeding or using an electric breast pump. This will lower the pressure and the pain that comes with it. Ask your health care provider if changes need to be made to your breastfeeding or pumping routine.
- Keep your nipples clean and dry.
- During breastfeeding, empty the first breast completely before going to the other breast. If your baby is not emptying your breasts completely, use a breast pump to empty your breasts.
- Use breast massage during feeding or pumping sessions.
- If directed, apply moist heat to the affected area of your breast right before breastfeeding or pumping. Use the heat source that your health care provider recommends.
- If
directed, put ice on the affected area of your breast right after
breastfeeding or pumping:
- Put ice in a plastic bag.
- Place a towel between your skin and the bag.
- Leave the ice on for 20 minutes.
- If you go back to work, pump your breasts while at work to stay in time with your nursing schedule.
- Do notallow your breasts to become engorged.
Contact a health care provider if:
- You have pus-like discharge from the breast.
- You have a fever.
- Your symptoms do not improve within 2 days of starting treatment.
- Your symptoms return after you have recovered from a breast infection.
Get help right away if:
- Your pain and swelling are getting worse.
- You have pain that is not controlled with medicine.
- You have a red line extending from the breast toward your armpit.
Summary
- Mastitis is inflammation of the breast tissue. It is often caused by a blocked milk duct or bacteria.
- This condition may be treated with hot and cold compresses, medicines, self-care, and certain breastfeeding strategies.
- If you were prescribed an antibiotic medicine, take it as told by your health care provider.Do notstop taking the antibiotic even if you start to feel better.
- Continue to empty your breasts as often as possible either by breastfeeding or using an electric breast pump.
