Mastitis AND blocked ducts :(

[GreaseMonkey]

My breasts are messed up! I am in pain, I think I have mastitis and blocked ducts :( I am also wanting the milk to stop as I don't want to keep on pumping!! My DD is still in the NICU and I just can't breastfeed and pumping is stressing me out way too much and I am not enjoying it. I have enough breast milk for her to last another month (donor milk as I have no been able to produce much milk for her in 2-3 weeks). I have used cabbage leafs but I am not sure if I should continue with it or just go to the ER. I have 2 spots where the breast is red and 1 big spot that's hard. Anything else I can do? How long with the inflammation last if I continue with the cabbage? Any ideas?

[nuthinbutpink]

If it is mastitis you need an antibiotic for the infection. Just wear a really tight sports bra and a warm shower for relief. I've had mastitis multiple times. It's not fun.

[GreaseMonkey]

Thanks NBP!

[Bigwish]

Your first priority with mastitis is to get rid of it!

Please make your breast as warm as possible before pumping, then pump the breast as empty as possible with compression and massage from your hand. After pumping, cool your breast with special coolpads or frozen pantyliner or cole leafs.

If you have fever and it's not going away within 24 hours you need antibiotics.


Once your ok, please decrease the production slowly, which means one feed in 5-7 days maximum. Don't stop cold turkey or you'll probably back on track for mastitis again.

Good luck, hun!

[atomic sagebrush]

I think you need to go in. Since you can't feed it can get worse and worse and it may even need to be drained (sorry!) For some reason i get it fairly regularly but I've always been nursing so it works itself out - I think you need to get some antibiotics before it gets too much worse. ((((hugs))))