What is mastitis?

What is mastitis?
Mastitis is an inflammation of the breast caused by infection. It can happen to anyone breastfeeding, but is usually something which occurs in the first month, after about ten days or so of feeding. Erratic feeding when your baby is still getting used to a routine can mean your breasts become overfull of milk and blocked milk ducts can trigger this problem.
However, the infection is usually caused by bacteria from your baby's mouth being passed via a crack in the nipple during feeding. To your baby, the bacteria is harmless but it is enough to set off a problem for you.
The milk itself is not infected and you should continue to feed your baby during this time.

What are the symptoms of mastitis?
A woman with mastitis will feel she has a raised temperature and what are described as 'flu-like symptoms'. She will probably find a patch of red, sore swelling on her breast where the infected milk duct is. This is likely to feel hot and hard to touch.

What should you do about it?
If you think you might have mastitis is important to see your GP as soon as you can to prevent the mastitis becoming a bigger problem. If the fluey feeling passes in less that 24 hours you might be fine, but if the problem does not clear in a day, go to the doctor. Untreated, it can turn into an absess which will require draining and clearing out by general anaesthetic operation. (This happens in extreme cases and even if it does happen, it does not harm your chances of continuing to successfully feed your baby afterwards.)
Depending on the severity of your condition (it might just be blocked milk ducts which need to be freed up by keeping a warm flannel or compress on the affected area for regular periods), your GP might prescribe bedrest and/or antibiotics. Even though you are breastfeeding, your doctor will know which antibiotics are safe for you to take.
You might need to have pain relief and use ice or heat to treat the affected area.
If you have mastitis, even if it is painful to do so, make sure you still feed from the breast and that it is drained with each feed. You can finish this with a hand breastpump if your baby does not finish her feed.

Can it be avoided?
Try to keep your breasts clean when you have cracked nipples but using your own milk (not lots of soapy water) rubbed over the nipples. Avoid wearing tight clothing or a bra which is putting pressure on parts of your breasts. This can cause the milk ducts to block up and harden. If you do feel unwell, try garlic capsules and treating any sore patches quickly with a warm compress to try to clear any blockage. Make sure your baby is feeding well off your breasts and alternate the feeds rather than feeding erratically with one breast for a few feeds and then the other.

For more information on breastfeeding and support, you can contact La Leche League UK or exchange experiences and ideas in the ThinkBaby forums.

Mastitis does not affect your ability to successfully breastfeed, it's just a pain for you!