To prevent plugged ducts (which may contribute to mastitis) Lawrence
suggests adding 1 tablespoon per day of lecithin, added to meals and eating
only polyunsaturated fats.
I have heard of several cases where cabbage was used to reduce the
oversupply to a manageable level.
Having a really well absorbed multivitamin/mineral complex may help.
Regular are 3-7% absorbed, chelated minerals are 10-25% absorbed; fructose
compounded are better (96-98% absorbed) but are currently only available in
North America, Australia, and some Asian countries (soon in Britain).
LLLI LC Series - Mastitis in Lactating Women:
Risk factors for mastitis;
full-time employment, maternal stress or fatigue, poor nutrition or anemia,
high sodium content, consistent pressure on the breast, use of nipple
creams, breastfeeding technique, insulin dependent diabetes
"Recurrent mastitis is usually caused by delayed or inadequate treatment of
the initial mastitis." Lawrence recommends milk cultures and cultures of
the infant if recurs. Other family members can be cultured to identify the
source of the bacteria. "If the infection is chronic, low-dose antibiotics
(erythromycin 500 mg/day) can be instituted for the duration of the
lactation (Lawrence 1994, p.264). Ductal abnormalities may also play a role
in some cases of recurrent mastitis."
Hope this is helpful -
Michelle Bentley CLE
----- Original Message -----
From: "Sara Bernard" <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Sunday, February 10, 2002 4:23 PM
Subject: mastitis question +update
> A while ago (i.e. before Christmas) I posted about a woman who was pregant
> with her 6th child. My questions were regarding what (extra) we could do
to
> reduce her chances of getting mastitis. ...
> The oversuply is probably contributing to the blocked milk ducts and
> mastitis - but she and I too, are worried about stopping expressing the
> excess milk due to her sensitivity to mastitis. I have suggested that she
> build it down extremely gradually over a long period (more than 2/3
weeks).
> The idea of feeding from one breast for two feeds to give negative
feedback
> a chancce we also don't want to try. She has noticed that if she doesn't
> feed on time, then she is guarenteed a blocked duct....
> She clearly and naturally wants to avoid full blown infectious mastitis
and
> is thus reluctant to let her breasts become too full during reducing
> expression. And definitely wants to continue breastfeeding....
> Although, this is probably not going to help the current situation, - can
> all her previous histories of blocked ducts / mastitid mean that her ducts
> are scared and thus now even more sensitive to inflammation and
infection?...
> Aside from oversupply problems leading to blocked ducts or mastitis, does
it
> appear that some women are just very much more sensitive to this sort of
> problem? Or is it purely due to the oversupply? Could there be a low grade
> bacterial infection in her breasts? Would a long course of the right
> antibiotic bring her out of this situation?...
> Sara Bernard The Netherlands
>
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