Would appreciate any input to help this mom.  She has just had her seventh
baby.  During her previous three breastfeeding experiences, she had mastitis
a total of 11 times.  The same breast was not always affected.  One of the
episodes seemed to be bilateral.  Each time she was treated with antibiotics
for courses that ranged from 10-14 days.

During her last breastfeeding experience, prior to this newborn, she saw a
physician lactation consultant.  This doctor had her use Bactroban topically
to the nipple area (I'm sorry I don't know the generic name of this
preparation).

During this pregnancy, this woman considered not breastfeeding because she
felt the recurrent infections were so disruptive and disabling.  However,
she is nursing her now 2 day old.

The thought arises that perhaps what starts as a bacterial or possibly
inflammatory mastitis and is then treated with antibiotics becomes a yeast
infection (which is called recurrent mastitis).  However, her second and
subsequent infections (symptoms) do not usually affect both breasts, as you
might expect yeast symptoms to.

Is anyone aware of any protocols to prophylactically treat mastitis??  This
mom is very well educated on other preventive measures such as frequent
nursing with attention to plugged ducts, sleep positions, bras, etc.  She
has tried taking lecithin.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Toni Pestro, RN, BSN, IBCLC

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