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Mastitis.

—

by

Jax Blunt
in

Again.

There’s a pattern here. Tigerboy is ill, he bumps up feeding. He then gets better (very quickly) and drops off feeding. A day or so later I get pain and then a few hours after that, temperature, aches and general malaise.

(Such a good word, malaise. Must use it more. )

It’s always the left breast. I think I got a blocked duct there once and now it’s weaker. And I never react quickly enough. Fluids, rest, ibuprofen are the prescription, maybe with a cabbage leaf stuffed into your bra. (Calendula compress recommended on some sites but am concerned about transfer during feeding. )

Warm compresses and hand expressing also high on the list, maybe combing your breast in the bath.

Haven’t got a bath sadly, and hand expressing didn’t work. Used the cabbage up in coleslaw the other day.

Guess I’ll stick with fluids and bed and hope I feel better tomorrow.

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Comments

5 responses to “Mastitis.”

  1. Circus Queen avatar
    Circus Queen

    Ouch! Sorry you’re going through this. Often rest is the big one because mastitis can indicate you’re run down. Of course, I’m sure you know, lots of feeding! There’s a homeopathic remedy that’s recommended for women with repeated plugged ducts. Will look it up for you. Get well soon. xxx

    Reply
  2. Caroline (Frogmum/TMFH) avatar
    Caroline (Frogmum/TMFH)

    Used to happen to me frequently when I was feeding (every time). Always the hot bath (or shower) and gently stroking the milk out worked for me. Despite never being able to properly hand express for any other purpose, the warm water seemed to soften the milk clots and let me ease them away. I can’t say it was very comfortable, but way better than full blown, ab requiring, mastitis!
    Hope you feel better tomorrow.
    Cxx

    Reply
  3. Jenny avatar
    Jenny

    Jax, when you do feed again on that side can you do it with Tigerboy lying on his back and you kneeling and leaning over him? Sometimes gravity can give you a hand with blockages. You probably don’t want to invest in a breast pump but if it’s happening a lot then it might be worth trying to acquire/borrow one? I can’t hand express – and I used to show people how to do it!! Hope it’s all over soon.

    Reply
  4. Midlife Singlemum avatar
    Midlife Singlemum

    Sorry you’re feeling rotten but I did giggle at the cabbage used up in the coleslaw. Maybe potato salad would help?

    Reply
  5. Mirka Moore @Kahanka avatar
    Mirka Moore @Kahanka

    I am so sorry, I know the pain, hope you get better soon and clapping to you for breastfeeding so long x

    Reply

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