Mastitis- Helpful tips?

Im so sorry. I had a clogged milk duct and I couldn’t even move my arm. It will get better and the pain will go away. My friend told me to try next time to put the baby on a Bobby on the floor and rotate around on all fours. I guess gravity helps. Good luck and hang in there.

Have you tried dangled nursing? I think that’s what it’s called. I can’t remember exactly. But you nurse the baby with your boob hovering over them. So your boob is hanging and pointing down and that helps the milk flow better. 🤷🏻‍♀️ I don’t know how or why it works but I did try it once with my first and between that and hot compresses and warm showers it did help. The other thing I did actually have a lactation consultant tell me was to use cold compresses to help reduce the swelling and then nurse. You should check out kellymom.com to see what advice there is on there. They have a lot of useful information. Hope you feel better soon. ❤️

So this sounds a bit out there, and I haven’t had to try it myself yet, but one of my close friends said when she had mastitis and clogged ducts, she used an object of the vibrating variety on her breast to help break up the clog. She wears by it, she said she had mastitis 2 times with her first and it helped her get through it fairly quickly each time. 🤷🏽‍♀️

Warm water and Epsom salt in a Haakaa. Attach to boob like you would normally. This really works. I even tried it with Apple cider vinegar and it also helped.

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I never thought to use it in the tub. I did try releasing with my hand. I am going to try manual pump in the tub. Thank you so much!

Also a vibrator against your breasts. Sounds weird, but it can help break up the clog.

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I read about this too I forgot. I think some women also use a comb to break it up. Which sounds waaaaaay more painful than a vibrator. Lol

Cabbage leaves are good. Boil them briefly and then let them cool and then turn them into a poultice for your breasts

Girl I’m praying for you :(

Drink a lot of water and warm compress. It is so very painful! I am sorry you have to go through this!

I had that several times with my babies- it was painful so I can relate! Best advice was warm compress and nurse as much as you can. Warm compress and try to Express as much as possible. When the breast is warm from the compress, try grabbing both sides if you can and push forward. I took a warm bath and expressed my milk while in the tub and it helped too. Hang in there! Hope you feel better

I feel for you, I recently had mastitis in May. OMG! It stings so bad, honestly one of the worst pains I have ever experienced. I had the biggest knot in my left breast. I took hot baths and soaked the clogged breast in the hot water, and hand pumped/squeezed milk out. Did this several times, used my pump to empty after baby fed. Used warm compresses too, as hot as I could stand. Seems like the heat helped, even scratching from the heat relieved pain and pressure. Good luck, I hope you feel better soon.

Stick to the lecithin. 3-4 x per day 1200mg capsules. Lots of water and rest if you can, and keep nursing. Get in bed with baby lay down and nurse in laying down position (if that position works for you) as much as possible. Continue to take the lecithin to prevent mastitis from coming back and slowly reduce your intake. I took for about 5 months before eventually was down to 1 per day then none. I could feel the clogs coming back if I missed a couple doses during that time. Nurse nurse nurse to keep emptying and trying to relive he clog. Heat before nursing if you can, I used a regular heating pad. Good luck mama

When I had it (and whenever I can tell my ducts are getting clogged) I use this little vibrator thing I got on amazon specifically for unclogging ducts. It’s waterproof so I can use it in the shower. I also use warm compresses. It helped if I massaged the front of the clog instead of behind it. Think of it like a traffic jam- in order to clear the cars at the front need to move, not the cars in the back. So I massage from the front of the clog toward the nipple. I only had mastitis once, but my ducts get clogged like once a week. I am usually able to unclog them in about an hour by doing what I listed above and have been able to avoid a second case of mastitis. Good luck!

Tea tree oil helped me and lots of massage and warm compresses. It got so bad for me the last time though that I went to my dr and she prescribed me dicloxacillin

Gravity and dangle nursing. I would lean over in the shower and cup water in my hand and hold my booth in the water and massage with the other hand. And if all else fails, have your SO try to release the clog.

Fill a haaka with warm water and epson salt and squeeze it so it’s touching your nipple. Once it gets too cloudy pour it out and repeat. They also sell heated lactation massages depending on your budget!

fill a sock with rice and heat it up (lasts longer than the gel pads). i havent had mastitis, THANK GOD, but i’ve gotten pretty damn close time and time again. the rice sock and a HOT shower help with my clogged ducts really really well

Are you feeling any better?

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Yes!! A lot better.... Still dealing with clogged ducts but not nearly as painful as they were before. I can't believe how long it's taking me to clear them. I may have to get my hubs to help work them out they seem pretty deep! 😩

Goodness I’m soo sorry. I know that’s terrible! I just had my second and decided to bottle feed because of the reoccurring mastitis infections. I eventually had to have my nipple cut open and have a duct cut because it was clogged and would not drain😓. Try some cool cabbage leaves. The best thing that worked though was calling it in and getting some antibiotics. Praying for you mama🙏❤️

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@Sophia OUCH! That sounds painful.

So glad you are feeling better and the mastitis is not as bad. The hot compressed with probably help, then have hubby help get them out. Massage them out or something.b

I currently have this and I’m I’m in so much pain. I can see a little white dot which I’m assuming is the clogged duct. My son is 10months and every time I try to feed him on the boob that hurts he will pull away with any little noise and it’s so painful

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I am so sorry you are going through this too!! I have a white area on my nipple but I think it's from my son tugging and my nipple is now cracked. My son pulls away too if I look like I am in pain or make a noise like I am in pain...i feel so bad ...he will pout and cry as if he is sorry .

I’m hoping it’s better by tomorrow. I’ve been massaging all day and putting hot towel on it and having my son feed from it

Huge solidarity - It is so painful! Plenty of warm compresses, dangle feed and put a vibrator on the area to work out clogged ducts (sounds strange but it works)

So so sorry! Hope you feel much better? ❤️

I know this sounds crazy but if you have a partner that can or is willing to suck on the side that is clogged . An adult suction is stronger then babies and will help clear that clogged duct in seconds . I’ve done it before it hurt like heck but I even heard a pop! But it was better in no time!! Hot shower deep massages from nipple outward and in circles. Also can recommend cabbage leaves but be-careful because they do lower supply. As well as anything peppermint. Good luck and pm me if you have any questions !!

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I heard that but it was too late.

Poor mama.. not sure if anyone said it but try dangle feeds and pointing baby's nose toward clog. Also using an electric toothbrush to help that area. Lots of heat to get it flowing. Hugs

Ohh Vanessa!! So sorry. I had it and thrus at same time.. I used heat n massager and went under warm water to feed . It helped alot. Aling with tylenol 500 . I was still breast feeding , pumping was difficult if I didnt put hot rag on nipples before. The antibiotics helped. That pain will come back if baby doesnt eat often or you dont pump often. Hope you feel better fast.

I took a hot bath and massaged my breast while in the bath and pumped after, it helped relieve the pain quickly.

Pumping with hot compress on it or pumping in hot shower helps. So sorry for what your going through but I should pass.

I know this was a while ago but if you go through this again, power pump and use something that vibrates to loosen the clog - I had a vibrating disc that came with my mombo pillow I know other women that used.... adult toys...

Tea 🍵 cups (yes, put your ladies in some warm/hot water and let them soak) + HAND EXPRESSION (while pumping) Hand expression saved me every single time. Of course I can only speak from my experience, & believe we need to have more conversations about hand expression. It seems to only come up when there is a problem. Had I been more informed about it, different hand positions, different massage techniques, etc early on, I don’t believe I would have had mastitis as often as I did. It was painful for me, and only occurred in my left breast. But WOW what a relief soaking +massaging+hand expression made🙌🏽. I don’t like just talking about it. I like to share resources so moms can be informed and equipped with more options when they need to make decisions (& as always only you can decide what’s best for your body) Hope this is helpful: http://www.themilkinmama.com https://www.amazon.com/Go-Milk-Yourself-Power-Express/dp/1536913642 https://instagram.com/themilkinmama?igshid=1km8xpoogc2a8

I had that also. I ran my nipples in the hot water while I took a shower. It was the best relief. Then I went to target and bought the heatable nipple gel pads. Works wonders.

La leche league tyne and wear fb page great breast feeding support they will be able to help u x

Cabbage leaves

I've gotten mastitis four times! What finally helped me prevent getting it again was putting myself and baby on a very strict schedule. It was annoying, but I pumped every morning and night to "drain" myself and then nursed every three hours....not letting myself go longer. I followed this schedule religiously for two months and have been mastitis free since!

I find all that helps is heat right before feeding and starting on the blocked side every time. I also massage the block like I’m moving toothpaste in a tube while he’s feeding. Pumping usually isn’t as effective as the baby for me at clearing the block but I haven’t dealt with mastitis. Feel better! So painful:(

Lansinoh makes gel breast pads you can freeze or heat up. The heat feels amazzzzing when you’re engorged or have a clogged duct. As far as trying to keep it from not happening again.... Stick to a strict schedule. That’s the only thing that helped me. Good luck! 🙂

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I had those cold packs. They are awesome.

Cool cabbage leaves are very soothing

I have it again. 😩 😭 Has anyone had success with not treating Mastitis with an antibiotic? I am currently going to try Poke Root only.... Hoping it works instead of an antibiotic. I don't want to take another round of antibiotics. 😔

This might sound weird but use a massager while you pump (yes even that kind lol). I have a vibratey back massager that I used and it cleared it so fast!!

I got the ice / hot breast pads and worked wonders. I also would take an extremely hot shower and just run the shower over my breast then pump immediately after. Usually took away most of the pain

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This worked for me too, especially when it's first coming on. I was able to recognize the signs the fourth time I got it and self treat without antibiotics. 4th times a charm?

Cold cabbage leaves in the bra. Might affect your milk production temporarily. Also pump out the milk and don't let yourself get engorged. Good luck. Hope you feel better.

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I agree cabbage leaves were my saviour

How do you take the poke root or poke weed? Please be careful, this plant can be poisonous. I am a nurse and cared for a patient that did not prepare it properly.

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It's a poke root oil. I think the difference is it's an exlir so it's safer. I take 3-4 drops in a small amount of water in the morning and at bed. It can only be taken for up to 5 days

oww! sorry I have no helpful tips. but good luck! YouTube has helpful information though

Cold cabbage leaves really good help me a lot and I have massager I bought in amazon for reduced milk duct and mastitis

You poor thing. I had it after my first child and failed to recognise it. I let it manifest and ended up with an abscess, 2 nights in hospital and surgical drainage. Got it after my second and I got rid of it myself. I found cold cabbage leaves and squeezing the breast myself worked best. But it took about 2 weeks or more to clear. The best advice I can give you is to please look after yourself. You might not see a huge improvement day to day but if you feel at any point that it's getting worse or you have a red lump on your breast then go back to the doctor and get an anti biotic so it doesn't turn to an abscess. I'll keep everything crossed for you in the meantime that the natural remedies get to work quickly. Really hope you feel better soon :-)

When I got mastitis with my newborn, the lactation specialist had me on a routine of alternating between applying chilled cabbage leaves, hand expressing milk and heat packs every hour, on the hour. It's a ton of work. But when you are hit with the pain of mastitis, you will do anything to get rid of it.

I haven't personally had but a friend of mine swore by cabbage leaves! Putting them on your breasts, cold xx

Warm Kabbage leave 30 sec in the microwave

Dangle feed, pump, cold cabbage leaves (do not break the veins as that release a compound that helps to dry up milk), nurse as often as possible with babies chin pointed towards the clog/lump, keep up on your meds. Personal massagers are amazing at working out clogs. Keep feeding and emptying your breasts.

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My supply went way down on the breast I had mastitis on. I probably broke the vein. I have never had 2 uneven breast and now 1 is slightly smaller. 😐

Just keep pumping on that side and offering it. You can build the supply back up. Just takes time and persistence!

Keep doing what you’re doing! Be consistent! As painful as it is keep massaging and rubbing towards the nipple to work out any blockage. I hand expressed in the hot bath and the shower and got as much of the pus out as I could....repeat as often as necessary. Lots of heat. My midwife also suggested shredded potato, which I tried...however, I got the most relief with the massage and hand expression.

Cabbage leaves!!!

Cabbage leaves xx