MASTITIS
If you're a breastfeeding mama you might want to be prepared for mastitis. I personally haven't used these remedies but I think it's good for mamas to have this knowledge!
The following photo & caption are from @organic.gannett.
M A S T I T I S + clogged ducts
Mastitis typically presents itself as flu like symptoms, fever, chills, a painful breast that may be hard and/or reddened and warm to the touch, palpable clogged ducts in the breast. Clogged ducts can quickly turn into full blown mastitis and sometimes mastitis hits out of nowhere. Here is how I choose to treat it first before jumping to antibiotics. These are things I’ve learned from personal research and also through hearing what has worked for others! I’ve never had to take antibiotics for mastitis.
🌼Breastfeed and/or pump as much as possible on the affected side! You want to keep that breast drained as much as possible and keep milk flowing to help clear the duct.
🌼Warm compress before nursing/pumping. Cold packs after nursing. Massage breast towards the nipple while doing warm compress. Hot hot showers with the same massage technique are also great.
🌼Hydrate! Keep that milk flowing!
🌼Using a haakaa pump, put hot water in it with about a tablespoon of Epsom salt. Place on affected breast for 15-20 minutes multiple times a day.
🌼Sunflower lecithin: 3600-4800 mg/day for clogged ducts or mastitis. It can also be taken daily as a preventative while breast feeding!
🌼Happy Ducts tincture from Wishgardens every 2 hours
🌼Echinacea/goldenseal tincture or capsules several times a day
🌼High dose vitamin C
🌼Copaiba and lavender EO diluted and massaged directly on breast
🌼Some protocols recommend around the clock motrin. I would do this if it turned into full blown mastitis!
*mastitis is usually pretty fast progressing and you can usually kind of tell fairly quickly (like within a day or so) if you’re getting better or getting worse. Sometimes your breast will be tender or red from all the massaging so I go off of how I feel, not necessarily the fact that my breast is sore or red. You can still have some pain/reddened skin but still be healing.
-Not medical advice-
The following photo & caption are from @essentiallyerin_.
MASTITIS PROTOCOL👇🏻
Mastitis is an inflammation of breast tissue that sometimes involves an infection.
Signs/symptoms: breast pain, swelling, warmth, redness, generally feeling ill, breast lump, pain or a burning sensation continuously or while breast-feeding, fever and chills.
Mastitis most commonly affects women who are breast-feeding (lactation mastitis), but can occur in women who aren't breast-feeding and in men.
I’ve had mastitis at least 5 times. It comes on fast and you feel like death. Luckily I’ve got two incredible midwives in my back pocket who’ve guided me on what to do to treat mastitis at home naturally. The following protocol has worked for me every single time, however, please do not take this as medical advice and always consult with a trusted HCP. There is no one size fits all.
I always keep these products on hand in case I get a case of mastitis, and they are great for helping with a myriad of other health issues as well.
Mastitis protocol:
Clear your schedule for the next 3 days to rest and nurse your baby.
echinacea + goldenseal + probiotic
every 1 hour on day 1, every 2 hours on day 2, every 3 hours on day 3, then 4 x’s a day for the rest of the week.
Ibuprofen q 6 hours for 24 hrs (optional)
Ice in between breast and warmth on outside of breast. Massage and keep milk moving.
The following I’ve added and done for myself:
Massage breasts in hot shower with garlic oil, lavender and/or tea tree EO. @legendairymilk Sunflower lecithin per instructions on bottle. You can take this daily to help prevent plugged ducts which can lead to mastitis.
Ask for help. Rest. Seriously. You have to take care of yourself and your baby 💛
Will save this to my mastitis highlight! #erinshealthtalks
The following photos & caption are from @organic.gannett.
Compiled all my best tips for warding off mastitis or unclogging a duct.
Mastitis often comes on quick so be prepared with what you need before you actually need it! A clogged duct can quickly turn to full blown mastitis so it’s important to try and work those out before they do.
Signs of full blown mastitis:
Breast tenderness
Breast swelling
Breast will be warm to the touch
Red or red streaking on the breast
Fatigue, chills
Fever (sometimes high!)
Burning or pain with feeding/pumping
Many women say it feels like flu like symptoms that knock you on your butt.
The standard approach from the medical world is to prescribe antibiotics, but many women are able to avoid them by implementing some or all of these.
If you find this helpful, please share!
*not medical advice*