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Mastitis is an inflammation of the breast, which can occur during the first months of breastfeeding a child. Like any other inflammation, mastitis is also an unpleasant and often painful experience, but the good news is that this type of infection is easily treated, and is completely harmless to mother and child. As inflammation of the breast is common when breastfeeding a child, there are many doubts and different explanations regarding this phenomenon. In the rest of the text, we will inform you about exactly what mastitis is, why inflammation of the breast appears, and how it is treated.

What causes mastitis?

Mastitis occurs after childbirth, due to blockage of the channels that allow the flow of milk, which is a suitable basis for the creation and entry of bacteria into the breast, through the nipples. It most often happens when a nursing mother has cracked or inflamed nipples, and as it is often the case when breastfeeding a baby, mastitis mostly occurs during the first six months of breastfeeding.

Mastitis in nursing mothers - symptoms

Mastitis in nursing mothers is easy to spot, because the symptoms are obvious and in themselves are an alarm that indicates that something is wrong. Breast pain heralds mastitis, and is usually accompanied by redness in some of its parts or heat that can be felt to the touch. If you do not react already at this stage, temperature, shivering and pain in other parts of the body appear as a further warning, often accompanied by swollen and painful lymph glands in the armpit area. The symptoms resemble the flu, with the fact that you will also notice changes in the breast along with the general malaise.

What does mastitis look like?

The main indicator of mastitis is redness on the breast, along with cracking of the skin in this area and severe pain that causes discomfort when performing daily tasks, including taking care of the child. When it comes to mastitis in nursing mothers, the symptoms are very obvious, so the first unusual occurrence should be a signal for alarm and the start of treatment for the inflammation. Postponing the problem in this case will only worsen the unpleasant inflammation.

When is there a risk of mastitis?

The risk of mastitis exists in all breastfeeding women. Although official statistics do not exist, it is estimated that every third woman in labor has experience with this infection. However, there are circumstances that increase the risk of mastitis.

Inflammation of the breast is more likely if the woman in labor has previously experienced mastitis. Also, the first two months after childbirth are the most common period when the infection occurs in mothers, so if you overcome these months successfully, there is less chance that you will encounter inflammation during the following months, although that possibility exists.

Improper breastfeeding position is one of the factors that increase the risk of infection, as well as skipping feedings, which cause milk to accumulate in the breasts and make them larger and more sensitive. Mothers suffering from anemia have less chance of avoiding mastitis, compared to other nursing mothers.

Mastitis treatment and treatment of inflammation

When you are attacked by an infection such as mastitis, treatment and all necessary measures should be taken at the first symptoms, because delaying and waiting complicates the problem and makes it difficult to treat. Mothers in labor need special care and rest in these situations.

Increase fluid intake and apply warm compresses to the painful area. Apply the wraps before milking, because a warm and wet cloth on the sore spot will facilitate the flow of milk and prevent its stagnation. Breast massage can also be helpful if you apply it several times a day. However, along with all these measures, a visit to the doctor is also necessary.

Solution for mastitis antibiotic or other drugs?

When it comes to mastitis, an antibiotic prescribed by a doctor is the most effective prescription for solving the problem. Although there are various medicines that may seem like a convenient solution for you, do not take them on your own initiative. Strictly follow your doctor's instructions, so continue taking antibiotics even when you feel better. If it happens that you do not react positively to the prescribed drugs, in that case more serious analyzes are undertaken to establish the exact type and origin of the bacteria that caused the breast inflammation.

Mastitis and breastfeeding a baby - does inflammation of the breast harm the child?

Mastitis and breast inflammation do not harm your child in any way. It is completely permissible and even desirable to breastfeed a child from an infected breast, because in this way the flow of milk is forced and the risk of duct blockage is reduced. The child should not be breastfed in this way only if the pain in the breast is too strong for you to tolerate sucking. In this case, you can use a breast pump to empty the breast.

Mastitis and breast inflammation do not harm your child in any way. It is completely permissible and even desirable to breastfeed a child from an infected breast, because in this way the flow of milk is forced and the risk of duct blockage is reduced. The child should not be breastfed in this way only if the pain in the breast is too strong for you to tolerate sucking. In this case, you can use a breast pump to empty the breast.

Although mastitis and breastfeeding a baby often go hand in hand, breast inflammation is not a rule and you can avoid it if you breastfeed your child properly and regularly, thus enabling the flow of milk and regular emptying of the breast. Even when mastitis appears, a prescription antibiotic can relieve pain and heal you quickly, provided you react in a timely manner, carefully following any change in the breasts.