Dear Pamela and friends of the ether, In a message dated 15/01/98 23:57:24 GMT, Pamela wrote: << - DRAIN those breasts as much as possible (baby, manual expression, pump). (3) at the first hint of engorgement/pain that will not resolve with massage and drainage seek medical advice about need for antibiotic to treat mastitis (I realize this may be controversial!) - if there are areas of the breast that do not drain because of severed ducts there will be pain/lumpy areas and potential mastitis lasting several days. >> Have you thought about not using antibiotics and have the mother take NSAID Ibuprofen instead, given that there is Infectious mastitis and Non-infectious mastitis and that at least 50% of lactating women with mastitis do not have an infectious condition? We forget that antibiotics have another very important role and that is they are very effective anti-inflammatories. We can easily jump to the conclusion that there was an infection present because the antibiotic cleared up the symptoms quickly, when in reality, no such thing was there, just unrelieved distension where the milk is forced back through the cell walls and out into the tissue/capilliaries and our immune system kicks in, making a fuss about the milk swimming about where it shouldn't be. A non steroidal anti- inflammatory such as Ibuprofen has a more than excellent chance of doing the trick along with adequate milking/draining of the breast. I was so pleased to see that you did not use ....THAT word......*Empty*! BRAVO. It never ceases to amaze me when I hear the most eminent of experts (who I admire and will travel a long way to hear) that lecture in UK and abroad use this sloppy word, I have to confess that I can seldom keep my mouth zipped and have to have a pop at them! Would you lactnetters like a resumé of speakers and topics from Lectures/Study Days that I attend? Just as I am beginning to recognise names that crop up more than once of people that you admire, I thought that you too may get to see names of those who are in demand over here in UK if I drop a line about them every so often. My kindest regards to all of you, Helen M. Woodman, National Childbirth Trust Breastfeeding Counsellor, UK