Help - Breast inflammation

Clisby Williams wrote in message
...


Cathy wrote:

Hi all, I don't want to call this mastitis, but that is what it will
become
if left. From past experience I know that the only way to clear this up
is
to get DD on to it. But what do I do if she would rather lie there and
cry
than feed off that breast? I also know that I can't use a pump (that
makes
it worse), and I have been trying to hand express, but get next to
nothing.
Any suggestions as to how to get DD to feed off that side? It has been 3
feedings now, and she is really not keen, but will feed off the other
side
just fine. (And yes, I am using cold compresses, antiinflammitories, and
generally taking it easy!). I should add that DD is teething too, and
she
is really doing nasty things to my nipples with her gums and current
teeth.
Ouch.

Any thoughts greatly appreciated.

Cathy




Will she feed from that side during the night, when she's sleepy? I
had recurring problems with
plugged ducts until my son was about 6 months old (when I say recurring,
I mean I was
averaging an episode of plugged ducts every other week), and I often had
to wake up my
sleeping son to nurse because of it.

Clisby


I tried her last night when she was fairly sleepy, and after a half hearted
suckle, she wanted the other side. I didn't realise at that stage what the
problem was. Since my last post, I have fed DD again - she took the
affected side, but didn't suckle strongly enough to clear the blockage - the
bottom of the breast is now nice and flaccid, but the top is still very
full. She doesn't have a very strong suckle (never has, never will I
suspect) . Last time I got a blockage, the only reason she cleared it was
because she went to sleep on the breast, got woken up very suddenly, yelled,
and then clamped down! I sort of tried the same thing last feed, but she
was just dozing instead of being dead to the world, and didn't mind waking.
Oh well - I'll try expressing by hand (I can't get a lot, but I suppose some
is better than none), and hope for the best. (I should also say that I also
tried a friend's son who is a great feeder, but he knew I wasn't mum!!).

Thanks,
Cathy

Just to update, DD obviously decided she was really hungry. I gave her the
affected breast again (5th time in a row! - I'm off to pump the other one
now), and after a few half hearted sucks, I thought she was going to quit.
But then she decided to nurse properly, and the greedy guts went at it for
30 mins (she is usually done in about 10 these days). So phew! Again,
thanks for the help.

Cathy

G'day

Cathy wrote:

I don't want to call this mastitis, but that is what it will become
if left.

well it could be mastitis - google for my posting in March called
"Inflammatory mastitis".

yes, I am using cold compresses, antiinflammitories, and
generally taking it easy!).

More more more of the above. I've just been through this twice more in
the last two months. Ice packs. Lots of ibuprofen. Lie down and take it
easy. Warm compresses to help let down before feeding. VERY GENTLE
massage. And if it doesn't clear up after 36 hours, get thee to a doc
and get some antibiotics.

DrRuth
Mum to Joshua Eamon (Nov 15th, 2001)
http://uts.cc.utexas.edu/~drruth/joshua/

"Cathy" wrote
Hi all, I don't want to call this mastitis, but that is what it will
become
if left. From past experience I know that the only way to clear this up is
to get DD on to it. But what do I do if she would rather lie there and
cry
than feed off that breast? I also know that I can't use a pump (that
makes
it worse), and I have been trying to hand express, but get next to
nothing.
Any suggestions as to how to get DD to feed off that side? It has been 3
feedings now, and she is really not keen, but will feed off the other side
just fine. (And yes, I am using cold compresses, antiinflammitories, and
generally taking it easy!). I should add that DD is teething too, and she
is really doing nasty things to my nipples with her gums and current
teeth.
Ouch.

According to the LC who leads my bf'ing group, hot compresses are the way to
go. According to her, the heat opens the ducts so that the plug is more
likely to be removed during nursing. Although cold feels better, she says
that hot will help unplug the duct. (Personally, I put a washcloth in a
ziplock and put it in the microwave for a few seconds. It's reusable,
inexpensive and doesn't require a trip to the store.)
--
Melissa (in Los Angeles)
Mum to Elizabeth 4/13/03